[IMAGES] A dream hunt in Anticosti!

BELL RIVER | Since the start of the hunting season on Anticosti Island, we have heard about record harvests, magnificent deer and more. Many photos were circulating on social media with deer wearing imposing plumes. I was able to see last week, during a stay at the Bell pavilion, in the east of the island, that this was very true.

When we arrived on the tarmac, hunters happy and proud of their stays presented us with impressive photos.

“Everything we predicted is coming true,” proudly confirms Sépaq Anticosti customer service manager, Daniel Lévesque, when we met him at the Saumon airport. We are truly experiencing a breathtaking hunting season, with a fantastic start to the season. Hunters harvested many mature bucks. Over the past two years, we have seen the herd increase considerably. »

The rate of deer sightings by hunters during a stay is impressive.

“The majority of hunting groups see between 300 and 400 deer,” adds Daniel Lévesque. There are many females with calves, brockets, young males of four points, all proof that the population is in excellent health. »

EVERYWHERE

This abundant harvest is taking place throughout the territory of Sépaq Anticosti.

“We saw several mature males being taken in the east, west and center of the island,” says the customer service manager. In all the camps that we operate for hunting, success is guaranteed. Hunters have been able to afford to be selective this season. They told us that they were able to make approaches and see between 15 and 20 deer during a morning hunt. »

ADVENTURES

After hearing all this and admiring some great photos, our group headed to the Bell Pavilion.

As soon as we arrive, our guide Gaston Henley, with his experience of more than 35 years in the sector, tells us that there are many deer, but that “we will have to work with two major enemies during our stay, the heat intense and the full moon.

“During these periods, the deer travel more at night, but as there are a lot of them this season, you have to have confidence. »

His predictions came true. He dropped my companion Michel Simard off on a path, taking care to mention to him that on the banks of the first swampprevious hunters had seen a beautiful male. It didn’t take long for Michel to be heard on the radio asking for help because he had just collected an eight-pointer.

Gaston returned to the charge by installing my other companion, Werner Sapp, at the edge of a clearing, mentioning to him that there were a lot of deer in the area; and beautiful ones. During his surveillance period, Werner was able to see 27 deer before harvesting an impressive eight-pointer.

OTHER STORIES

Other hunters in the group also had great adventures

Thus, Marc MacArthur collected an eight-pointer on his first morning. He wanted to take his time for his second, but in the afternoon, he found himself facing a ten-pointer. The chase ended quickly.

What can we say about Christopher Girard who was on his first hunt on Anticosti Island. He realized the magic of the place when he harvested a mature buck with an imposing eight-point plume. He and his companion, Dominic Ducharme, quickly understood that Anticosti Island is unique.

Stories like this, I could have told you on two pages. For me, Anticosti will always be a magical country where anything can happen when you least expect it.

To secure a spot for next season, you can register by calling 1-800-463-0863.