2016 Ontario Sunset Country Travel Guide 2016 Ontario's Sunset Country Travel Guide | Page 6

HUNTING Big game hunters take note, Sunset Country has central North America’s largest tracts of boreal forest and the animals that live here make for some of the best hunting opportunities on the continent. The biggest game animal of them all is the moose, with bulls exceeding 1200 pounds. You can hunt these big boys with a bow or rifle. If you are from the USA, you must get a tag from a licensed outfitter. Whitetail deer are also a big attraction as our animals have thick, large bodies and bucks can weigh over 300 pounds. Black bear are everywhere and success rates for hunters are close to 80%. Sunset Country also offers excellent hunting opportunities for grouse and in some areas waterfowl. Try a winter predator hunt for massive timber wolves. There are many hunting lodges and guides who can get you on to these animals and improve your chances of bagging a big one. For most species, using the services of a local lodge or guide is required for non-residents hunters. You can hunt in many locations including at a full-service lodge, at an outpost, from a houseboat or even a tent camp. This is a true wilderness landscape so if you decide to come here to hunt, come prepared. HOUSEBOATING Events/Attractions If you’re here on a fishing trip or have just come out for the weekend, you can enhance your trip experience by attending a local special event or visiting one of the many man-made and natural attractions in the region. Most communities have something going on during the summer and in some instances, the events themselves are reasons to travel here. WILDLIFE VIEWING We have some big lakes up here and two of them – Lake of the Woods and Lac Seul – offer incredible houseboating opportunities. A houseboat is one of the most relaxing of all vacations we have available. You have no schedule, your boat is your house and you can ply the waters at your pace. Go fishing or swimming or just explore the endless maze of islands and rocky shorelines. You can find your very own sand beach in many cases. Houseboats also come equipped with a smaller boat so you can go fish nearby waters or the kids can go tubing. There are several place you can rent a houseboat. On Lake of the Woods you can launch out of Kenora, Sioux Narrows or Morson and on Lac Seul you can launch from Hudson or Ear Falls. Even if you have no experience running one of these large boats there’s no need to worry. Your houseboat operator will show you exactly how to operate the boat safely, supply you with maps and GPS units and they are always available to assist you if you encounter any issues while out on the lake. 6 | 2016 Sunset Country Guide Sunset Country can offer you endless opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography. Birdwatchers will enjoy the many species of songbirds that nest here or on a larger scale, bald eagles, pelicans and owls are everywhere. You may see bigger animals as well, a black bear, whitetail deer, lynx, wolves or a moose. If you’re really lucky - you may get a glimpse of a rare woodland caribou. WINTER ADVENTURES Does it get cold in Sunset Country in the winter? Darn right it does but that doesn’t mean the adventure has to stop. If you dress properly cold temperatures become irrelevant. Go snowmobiling on over 2000 kilometers of trails or cross-country ski on our many urban trail systems. The fishing really “heats up” during the winter and many go ice fishing. There's nothing like tasting freshly caught fish in the middle of winter.