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| WMU Advice?; 16C | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Apr 15 2011, 01:23 PM (1,235 Views) | |
Tim H
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Apr 15 2011, 01:23 PM Post #1 |
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Gentlemen of the Moose-hunting sub-forum, lend me your insight! This past year the group I regularly deer hunt with mentioned they were interested in going moose hunting. Most of the members used to moose hunt together, but stopped for one reason or another. I have never been moose hunting, but am definitely excited to go. I will likely go even if the other group members back out, and I've actually taken the reigns on the group application as the others seem only partially interested. Here's my question; Does anyone have any experience in WMU 16C? Since none of us are in Pool 1, I have been looking at the quotas & draw results in the 2010 Hunting regs. 16C seems to have the best opportunity for a group of "noobs" to draw a cow, or ideally, a bull tag. Unfortunately it also appears to have very limited access, with Highway 527 barely poking the South border, and the Wabakimi Park making up most of the WMU. Having looked at Google maps, my tentative plan is to head North on 527 to Armstrong Station, and find a spot somewhere North of there. Does anyone here have any experience in the area, or know of it? Firsthand knowledge, or the contact info for someone in the area would be great. Thanks. Tim |
| "Only accurate rifles are interesting." - Col. Townsend Whelan | |
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| lito | Apr 15 2011, 02:04 PM Post #2 |
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Rookie
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Well I hunted 16 C in 2008 and 2009. The first year we were up there we shot 2 bulls and a cow between 7 guys. In 2009 we got skunked. As per the tags, just about every one who applies whether you are Pool 1 or Pool 2 will get a tag. There is a reason for that. These tags are not sought after since there aren't many moose in the area and many hunters don't apply there. The second year we were up there we barely saw any sign as was the case in the first year we just got really lucky. I spoke to the area bioligist who told me that when you enter Armstrong Station the habitat changes and favours caribou over the moose. Further he advised that the moose density for that area is quite low at around 12 moose per 100 sq/km. In addition, he told me that if I was to hunt in area 15 B which is just south of Armstrong, the moose densities are higher at around 30 moose per 100 sq/km. In any event there are moose up there just not as many as other areas but the trade off is that you get to rifle hunt during the rut and they will respond to cow calls. If you can find the pockets you'll be in business but the moose are very scattered. You can hunt off of Airport Rd. We had our camp at mile 23 and hunted around there and right up to mile 38. There is also another road that loops around the back end of Caribou lake, not sure of the name but the locals in Armstrong will give you directions. Most importantly you need to learn how to call moose to increase your chance of bringing them in. I no longer hunt 16 C and now hunt area 13. Both 15 B and 13 offer good moose hunting, you'll get less tags but I think your moose experience might be better. Hope this helps |
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Tim H
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Apr 16 2011, 01:28 AM Post #3 |
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Lito, Thanks, that's EXACTLY the kind of info I was looking for! You confirmed what I was thinking about with the tags. I figured that the reason there's such a high ratio of tags available to hunters is because either nobody bothers to hunt there, or nobody can hunt there. It's definitely disapointing to hear that there aren't many moose, but not a show stopper, as I'm sure it's possible to find them. I think we might put a couple applications in for 15B, more to get pool 1 status than really expecting a tag. Maybe we'll get lucky around Armstrong, but if not we'll be in better shape for next year. Thanks for the info on the roads. I don't know how recent the pics on google earth are, but they show some trails or logging roads that loop around through some clear cuts, up past little Caribou & D'Alton Lake. I think some exploring is in order! Regarding calling, does anyone have advice on a course, or even some dvds that might be worth watching. As of right now the only calling experience I have is what I've seen on Wild tv, so anything will help |
| "Only accurate rifles are interesting." - Col. Townsend Whelan | |
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Tim H
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Apr 16 2011, 02:06 AM Post #4 |
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Looking around a little bit more, it appears that following Airport road or it's offshoots, can take you all the way up to Mojikit Lake. Possibly even farther, but the picture clarity degrades at that point. That gives us quite a bit of space to work with, so I think it's worth a try. Tim |
| "Only accurate rifles are interesting." - Col. Townsend Whelan | |
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| PEte A | Apr 16 2011, 08:08 AM Post #5 |
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Regular
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Hey Tim, Most of the secondary roads off the north side of the Airport road (all the way to the Little Jackfish) have road closures. This includes the Mojikit Rd. I would highly recommend getting a Crimestoppers Backroad map which identify all the road closures. As for calling videos, there is a thread on the topic 2-3 down from yours. Pete |
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Slick
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Apr 17 2011, 08:00 AM Post #6 |
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North of Superior
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Don't get too locked in on one spot as some closures will only be announced in August. Pick an area where you have lots of options . There are very few areas where no has "bothered" to check it out as most folks up here hunt. If you look at your first year as a learning experience then any success you have will be a bonus. >Bill |
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| PEte A | Apr 17 2011, 08:42 AM Post #7 |
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Regular
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The motorized vehicle restrictions that are in place on the majority of the roads of the Pikitigushi Road (airport rd) are of the permanent rather than in-season variety. PEte |
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Tim H
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May 25 2011, 01:37 PM Post #8 |
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Ok guys, I've got a slightly modified plan, and I'm again looking for some advice. The application is in, for Bull, gun, in WMU 16C. I've gotten my hands on some of the Explorer maps of the area from Thunder Bay Crime stoppers. Going off of the maps, the trails North of Armstrong are largely closed off by the MNR, so now we're looking at an amphibious option. We're looking at being able to put a couple boats into Caribou Lake, NorthWest of Armstrong, and cruising up the lake to a point we can put up a camp to hunt from. The lake looks to be almost 30km long, with plenty of bays & streams, so I imagine there will be lots to check out. I'm wondering if anyone from the area, or who has hunted in the area before, has any experience with this kind of venture? Mostly I'm wondering about the accessability to the lake, I understand there's a lodge or two there. Are they alright with people putting in? Is there a public boat launch? This is basically a back up plan. Our intent is first to find a place to camp & hunt near Armstrong, but if we can't get onto any moose, we'd like to be prepared to hit the water. Any input is appreciated, thanks in advance guys! Tim |
| "Only accurate rifles are interesting." - Col. Townsend Whelan | |
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