Ken Barrett's Fast Facts
For The TRCP's Life in the OpenAnticosti Island WhitetailsLocation: Anticosti Island, Quebec, Canada Anticosti Island, owned by the Province of Quebec, is located in the Gulf of St Lawrence, east of Quebec City, and west of Newfoundland. It is approximately 138 miles long by 35 miles wide. The vast majority of hunters fly to Anticosti via Montreal and Mont Jolie, a small town on the Gaspe Peninsula. Access: Publicly owned Anticosti Island is one of the foremost whitetail deer hunting destinations in North America. The majority of the hunting is run by concessions owned or under contract with the Canadian government. The largest of groups is Sepaq Anticosti, the outfit that organized my hunt. Contact http://www.sepaq.com/sa/en/ or call 1-800-463-0863 to learn more about hunting there and how you can book. Best time of year: Anticosti’s deer season runs from August until mid December. I recommend going in mid-November during the rut or during the last days of the season.In mid-December, deer migrate out of the snow down to the seashore, which can afford you the unique opportunity of taking a deer with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. Anticosti often has a waiting list for prime hunts and locations booked years in advance; once you decide to go, act early. Visit http://www.bowhunts.com/main.html for more information about seasons and regulations. License availability: Once you book a hunt, your license is guaranteed through Sepaq Anticosti. Recommended Equipment: Most shots on Anticosti are less than 100 yards, though 200 and even 300 yard shots are possible. I killed my deer at approximately 50 yards. Any good caliber will work. I used a 30.06 and saw everything from .30.30’s to a .338 Magnum in our camp. It can be very cold and wet on Anticosti so bring rain gear and lots of layering, along with a day pack and orange vest or clothing, which is mandatory. Check for weather updates .A set of binoculars will come in handy, and don’t forget a GPS and/or compass. Though trails and roads are clearly marked, it’s easy to get turned around in the almost impenetrable spruce and fir if you have to track a wounded deer. Costs: Once you arrive in Mont Jolie, either by car or by plane from Montreal, you’ll most likely spend an evening at a local motel before departing via Inuit Airlines the following morning. The fifty minute flight is part of the cost of the hunt which will range from approximately $1,700 Canadian to $2,800 Canadian, depending on whether you chose to do a self-guided, self-serviced (buy and cook your own food, bring your own sleeping bag) or elect to stay at a number of camps (lodges) where you get clean sheets, a good bed, hot showers and wonderful food. I recommend you splurge and go with one of the lodges: life is short and they are plain wonderful. Your hunt includes: two deer tags for either sex, yes, you can take two bucks! It also includes processing and shipping your deer meat and antlers back to Mont Jolie. I left $150 in tips for the guides and lodge staff. Tips and Commentary: I’ve wanted to go to Anticosti for years. I love to hunt big woods wild whitetails. Though there are many logging roads (there’s very little active logging) and trails on Anticosti, it’s still the Big Woods and a great place for classic Still Hunting. I just happened to get there after a huge storm had closed down 80% of the roads and trails, the results of tens of thousands of downed trees. I also encountered a lack of snow, making conditions for post rut hunting as difficult as my guide had encountered in over 30 years! But that’s hunting. The foxes of the island were especially numerous and beautiful, I’ve never seen better fur. Truth is, I loved Anticosti, it was a real adventure, yet affordable for many hunters, and I have every hope of returning again. I only shot a little buck, but I passed on a nice one, an easy 40 yard shot when the cameraman wasn’t with me. But hey, thatsTV! Special thanks go to: Turk Station Bird HuntLocation: Coalinga, California. Turk Station is located three hours drive from both San Francisco and Los Angles. It’s in the heart of the beautiful and farm rich San Joaquin Valley. Access: Turk Station is a private shooting preserve and I included it in the series because of its location close to two major population areas, and because it is a very good example of how a good preserve is run. Turk Station is open to the public; to learn more call 559-935-1902 or go to www.turkstationlodge.com Best time of year to go: Turk Station is open for hunting from October 1 until May 1. Of course, I prefer to hunt when the weather is a bit cooler, and both dogs and hunters enjoy themselves more. License availability: If you don’t already have a California license you can buy a two day non-resident license at Turk Station for $33.35 or over the Internet at www.dfg.ca.gov Recommended equipment: Bring good boots and upland shooting clothes, your own dog, or use one of Ross Allen’s superb setters. Any good upland gun will suffice. I use both a twenty-eight and a sixteen and size 6, 7 ½ field loads work best. Bring a cooler; I use a collapsible when traveling, to transport birds back home. Cost: Shooting at Turk Station is not inexpensive. Rates are $450 to $700 per day. You can shoot quail, pheasants and chukar in any combination that you’d like. Daily limits are very generous. There are half-day and full-day shoots, and there are options to stay overnight in the wonderful lodge, which includes great wines and four star meals prepared by Ross Allen. Don’t miss his almond quail sauce! Tips and Commentary: I don’t ordinarily frequent costly shooting preserves, but once every year or two, I can’t help myself. On this occasion I got to hunt wild valley quail, something Ross only does twice a year, and I got to stay in a great little lodge where the wine and food is good beyond words! Add to that some truly superb setters, the kind that make your heart stop, and well it’s just nice to splurge every once in a while. Take a friend, or a loved one, and go spend a day and night at Turk Station, you’ll be happy you did. Special thanks go to: |