Hunting and fishing

Nature’s bounty

For Québecers, beneficiaries of an abundant wildlife, hunting and fishing are more than just sports. They provide a unique opportunity to get back to basics and to re-discover the essential elements of their natural heritage. In the forests, lakes and rivers that make up this immense territory that is Québec, outfitters offer hunting and fishing enthusiasts lodging, equipment, guides and other logistical support—in a word, all the amenities needed to facilitate encounters with big caribou, moose and deer, black bears, and battling fish!

Caribou

Moose hunting

Deep woods, wild kingdom

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.

In autumn, legions of hunters occupy free and organized territory, joining in the most prestigious hunting tradition in northeastern North America. This activity has a pull that many find impossible to resist. A keen sense of hearing is key when it comes to detecting the approach of this magnificent beast or its presence around water. It’s hard to sit still as the moose’s bold silhouette moves through the trees, or, coming around a bend in a canoe, you surprise it while it is eating in a tranquil bay. Using odour and moose calls, the hunter attempts to attract or outwit this guarded and imposing cervidae.

Moose hunting requires a great deal of patience in hunting stands that have been erected in strategic locations. 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. Several outfitters offer very well structured hunts that will let you discover this unique world, accompanied by an experienced guide and under optimal conditions.