WMU 24 - Input on hunting

[Nina Martin]

Hello
Hubby and I recently bought a lakefront, off grid property a few kilometres north of Highway 11. This area north of 11 is WMU 24.
As I look at the hunting regs, a few things that stand out versus where I used to hunt (63A - Lanark) is that the rifle season is longer, obviously no turkey season, and a longer moose season. Oh, and the fact is almost all Crown land.
We should be completely up from Ottawa to “up north” by late June.

As this is all new hunting area for me, any input, anecdotes, thoughts on this area?
In my few trips, I’ve been surprised at the grouse and rabbits that I’ve seen thus far.

The former owner of the property said in the 17 years he lived there, never saw deer...only moose. Silly me applied for a doe tag before I heard this.

thanks

[crtech22]

24 is a great wmu for grouse and rabbit. You can find sharp tail grouse in some cuts as well. Deer are almost never seen in the area. It's a good moose area and if your lucky you can see the odd woodland caribou in the northern parts of the wmu.

[toddy]

Great bear hunting also. I have a good friend with two trap lines in the area. Fishing is also awesome.

Sounds like your living my dream lol.

[Nina Martin]

Great bear hunting also. I have a good friend with two trap lines in the area. Fishing is also awesome.

Sounds like your living my dream lol.

If living the dream means no hydro bills, no water bills and property taxes of $75 a year...then yup.
Hubby retires from Ottawa police in 48 hours...he’s 50...I’m 53...so we still have a few good years to learn a simpler and cost effective lifestyle.

[Nina Martin]

For sure, it’ll take a period of adjustment. We have a steep learning curve learning about composting, greenhouse gardening, solar power to name a few. Most of these projects are on hold until 2020 as next year I’ll be solo hiking the Appalachian Trail for 5-6 months. Gotta make sure I have a “honey-do” list that’ll keep hubby busy.

[Fox]

Don't take on too much at once, keep from looking at the big picture and look at the smaller projects and rank them for priority. My wife and I moved to a property 3 and a half years ago that was just a residential type property that happened to be zoned rural. I had to keep pulling back from looking at the big picture, not everything has to be done right away, finances and energy will not hold up to have all the jobs done at once and you will burn out.

You may love the idea of off grid and secluded living now but you do not want to wreck that by taking on too much, ask me how I know, ha ha, weeding a 5000sq ft garden with a new baby at home pretty much defines last summer.

[Nina Martin]

Yes, you’re right about not rushing things. We have loads of time...though being that far north, obviously longer winter/Spring. Which means a shorter gardening season which is why we’reusing a greenhouse rather than a garden. It extends the growing season by a few weeks and keeps out critters and birds.
I was up there last weekend taking a load from Ottawa...still had 3 feet of snow...and the lake was snow covered.

[Species8472]

I’ll be solo hiking the Appalachian Trail for 5-6 months. Gotta make sure I have a “honey-do” list that’ll keep hubby busy.

Best of luck. My daughter did this in 2017. She started at the south end in March and wrapped up in the first week of September.

[Nina Martin]

Best of luck. My daughter did this in 2017. She started at the south end in March and wrapped up in the first week of September.

Awesome! Congrats to her. I can only imagine from what I’ve read and gleaned from Youtube.
Most people I know have no idea how long the Appalachian Trail is until I say: imagine walking from Ottawa to Calgary. That’s 3,300km.

[Tman]

I have bow hunted moose there last couple years. Lots of small game, no sign of deer around. Moose are around. Not as much sign or as enjoyable to bow hunt as Unit 19 or 21. I will say it is a very wet area. Lots of muck and marsh. Argo is a good idea, most locals I see have them. We are limited in our access because of this. I am on foot a lot but that is a challenge getting around as well as the ground is very soft and impassable in many places on foot or 4 wheeler. Enjoy the adventure!!