BY DON WILCOX

IF THE WORDS “ spring bear hunt ” evoke memories of drafty cabins with squeaky door hinges , old wood stoves and flat wooden frames to hold a sleeping bag , think again .

Today ’ s outfitters have figured out that softies exist , and offer virtually all of the comforts of home even in remote , backwoods locations . The needs of hunters are changing and tourist operators are adapting with the times .

Oh , OK , spring bear hunters can still find a rustic experience if that ’ s your thing . But the truth is it ’ s probably harder to come by these days than modern , comfortable lodges with fully equipped kitchens , cozy beds , great food and cellphone and wifi hookups .

So when the hunt kicks off this season , outfitters in Quebec and across the region won ’ t just be welcoming good old boys who ’ ve been bruin-bonding since time immemorial . They ’ ll be fully equipped to greet husbands , wives , families and a variety of different groups with specific wants and needs .

“ It ’ s no longer just a bunch of guys going into the woods for hunting and fishing ,” says Alain Parenteau of the Quebec Outfitters Association . “ You have cabins near the lake , you have the beach , you can swim , you can boat or kayak . Some have a big slide , or a trampoline for the kids . So , it can be more a family experience .”

One great thing about living in Ottawa and the Outaouais is that getting into the outdoors doesn ’ t require a day-long drive .

There are great resorts within 90 minutes or a couple of hours from the our urban region – many offering spring bear hunting in addition to other packages . So while the hunters in the family are away at the stands for part of the day , the rest of the gang gets to play . Or just relax and enjoy the view .

“ I do remember the old hunters ’ cabins where it would be a man thing , or a male-bonding thing ,” says Jean Larivière of Mijocama Outfitters on Giles Lake outside Gracefield . “ Today it is modern cottages , nice beautiful log cottages .”!!!!

The centrepiece of Mijocama , owned by Jocelyn Vachon , is the five-bedroom , threebathroom Bora Bora cottage , which cost almost $ 300,000 to build . This clearly ain ’ t grandpa ’ s old hunt camp . “ It is the perfect opportunity to go hunting and not be away from the family ,” Larivière says .

“ We know the working schedules of the average family are very hectic . The mom works , the dad works , so when they have time off this is the perfect getaway . Everybody can do their own thing .”

A similar trend among both longtime hunters and younger clients is seen by Rob Argue , who owns Eastern Canadian Outfitters and the Mer Bleue Lodge , about 90 minutes outside Ottawa near Lac Cayamant , southwest of Maniwaki .

“ A big part of it , I think , is the demographic of hunters overall . As the population of hunters gets older , I think they want to be more comfortable ,” Argue says . “ There are definitely ( also ) more women coming into the sport , and more guys bringing their wives and daughters . That is a great thing to see .”

Most outfitters in Quebec have an advantage over their counterparts in many other regions . Argue , who has a background in fish and wildlife management , has a rights agreement with the province that gives him control over the land his clients hunt and fish .

“ One of the things that led me to Quebec is they have exclusive rights ,” he explains . “ So I lease about 8,000 acres from the Quebec government and nobody

else can hunt or fish in that area . I have full control over what the harvest is , and where . I can manage the resources , which is nice for sustainability .”

For many lodge owners , bear hunting season accounts for 15 , 25 or even 40 per cent of their revenue . It ’ s vitally important to their bottom line . Like many other outfitters , both Mijocama and Mer Bleue offer “ four-star ” accommodations , rated by the tourist outfitters ’ association , checked every three years , based on the comforts , services and amenities they provide .

With all these options for spring hunters , Argue says it ’ s one of the best times of the year to get outdoors . Virtually all the resorts offer packages which include both the bear hunt and fishing .

“ Bang-for-the-buckwise , it is a great trip because it is both a hunting and fishing trip in one ,” he says . “ It ’ s a nice time of the year to be out , and it ’ s a great way to start your spring season , getting meat in the freezer and a nice hide .”

And perhaps a bit of quality family time on the side .

( More info at Eastern Canadian Outfitters , Mer Bleue www . ecoutfitters . ca /, Mijocama Outfitters www . mijocama . ca / mijocamaoutfitter . html , and Quebec Outfitters Assoc . www . pourvoiries . com / en /)

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