Smith Bay Outfitters
Fishing and Hunting Retreat
Smith Bay Camp Outfitters
Fishing and Hunting Retreat
Hunting
One king reigns supreme in Québec’s forests—the moose or American elk. This sovereign is royal not for its beauty or agility but for
its majesty, strength and, of course, its magnificent antlers. The male moose proudly carries a flamboyant rack as its crown, measuring
up to 160 cm (over 5 ft.) in width. This beast commands respect with its nonchalant gait even in the thickest bush, its ease in the
water and, above all, the earth-trembling bellow of the male.
Moose hunting requires a great deal of patience. This sport is carried out in expeditions of two to four participants, depending on
the zone. The number of moose they are allowed to take depends on the zone and the territory, with one moose allowed per two, three
or sometimes four hunters, according to the area. Smith Bay Camp Outfitters offer very well structured hunts that will let you discover
this unique world, accompanied by an experienced guide and under optimal conditions.
MOOSE
BEAR
A legendary animal, if ever there was one, and a central character in Aboriginal
mythology, the black bear is regarded with both fascination
and fear. In
reality, this solitary and reserved animal tends to avoid human contact. These
omnivores eat just about anything in their
path. Adult males, stocky and
massive, weigh about 80 kg (175 lb.), although they’ve been known to weigh up to
160 kg (350 lb.). The
female is much smaller and on average weighs no more than
60 kg (130 lb.).
In Québec, where controlled hunting is permitted, the black bear population numbers over 60,000. This singular hunt takes place on
territories that have been carefully prepared by outfitters like Smith Bay Camp. For their part, hunters spot bears from towers
solidly attached to trees or blinds and monitor the bear’s approach as it moves through the forest unaware of the hunter’s presence.
This technique minimizes the chances of the bear—whose senses are honed to detect odour and movement—of spotting the hunter. Clearly,
bear hunting is about lying in wait unless you have a rare chance encounter.