Outdoor

Bear looking at Golden Eagle Camp

November 7, 2022

The sound of a bell echoing by means of Golden Eagle Camp alerts success and ringing it’s the purpose of each visiting bear hunter.

Situated between Elk Lake and Matachewan on Highway 65, the camp owned by Mike and Liz Young sits on the banks of Sydney Creek, a tributary of the Montreal River.

Last summer season, the women took the triggers. We arrived on Sunday and break up into pairs. My spouse, Karen, was accompanied by our youngest daughter and observer Aliyah, whereas I hunted as an observer with our oldest daughter, Abby. During the primary two days, our bait barrels have been visited by a wide range of wildlife — together with pine martens — however no bears.

Early success

There was some pleasure in camp Monday evening when hunter Steve Kolodziej thought he had a bear however didn’t. Karen and Aliyah modified stands on Tuesday, whereas Abby and I made a decision to present our spot one other attempt as a bear had hit the bait once we weren’t there.

An hour in, Karen texted me, “Mike is coming to pick us up.” We acquired the story once we met Karen and Aliyah on the highway. Their stand, named Devil’s Elbow, was located about 80 yards from the barrels and Karen had taken a two-year-old bear (good for consuming). She’d ring the bell when she returned to camp.

Back at our stand, Abby and I had no luck that evening and determined to maneuver the subsequent day.

Record practically 600 kilos

Bears at Golden Eagle common between 150 and 250 kilos, whereas the camp file is 598 kilos. In a traditional 12 months, Golden Eagle runs 52 stands, two for every hunter, in case one web site turns into inactive. With the pandemic and no American hunters, there have been solely 21 bait websites in 2020.

Hunting in the course of the second week of the season, we aimed to keep up our early success. About 80% of hunters are profitable at Golden Eagle.

New stand

Our new web site subsequent to a creek was a strikeout on Wednesday evening. Having a roads crew engaged on the close by bridge didn’t assist.

Eager for a bear and feeling assured, Abby was out by herself (the stand being too cramped for the two of us) Thursday at first mild — once more to no avail.

She returned to that stand by herself that evening. I checked the barrel when dropping her off and it had been hit within the brief time she left for lunch. After replenishing the popcorn doused in a combination of dextrose, corn starch, and water, I used to be on my manner. It was one other silent evening, with the scent of close by anglers doubtless hampering bear exercise.

Bell rings once more

The bell rang that evening as Kolodziej acquired his bear, a 140-pound male. In the enjoyable spirit of the camp, the waterslide doubles as a victory slide for profitable hunters — generally garments and all. Although there had been looking success, the cool, moist climate saved Karen and I off the slide.

Determined to alter her luck, Abby proclaimed she would exit all day Friday — our final day. We hung across the camp, ready for her name, the place I had an opportunity to speak to Liz in regards to the camp.

Bear hunters often taper off in September, changed by chook hunters, after which moose hunters, she stated. They are visited by snowmobilers in winter earlier than anglers return within the spring.

Although Golden Eagle caters to anglers and hunters, it’s a nice household facility. Canoes and kayaks can be found to be used and quads for hire. There is a waterslide, a playground, and a basketball internet. It’s an actual household ambiance and we found lots of these staying on the camp are regulars and mates — all of whom saved asking us all day if Abby had acquired her bear.

Last-chance bear brings smiles

While Abby hunted, the remainder of us went fishing.

On Monday we hit the river for a brief outing and landed a scrappy two-pound smallmouth. This time, we explored farther downriver. Once once more, a smallmouth smashed my tube jig earlier than placing up a spectacular, rod-doubling combat. After releasing it, I caught a small pike and Aliyah tied right into a bass earlier than we determined to move again.

We have been barely within the door when Liz got here by, excitedly telling us, “I think she got one.”

When we arrived at her stand, Abby’s story isn’t as promising — a bear got here by however didn’t method the barrel. She took a shot however wasn’t certain she hit it the place she wished. We looked for blood or signal that it was hit, with Mike and I each figuring it would head in direction of the river.

“If only we could find some blood,” I stated. She seemed down, replying, “Like this,” pointing at a single drop.

I stood by the spot whereas Mike, Karen, and Abby seemed for extra. A path emerged and we adopted it. Mike and Abby noticed the bear on the similar time in a tangle of brush on the creek’s edge.

Seeing Abby ring the bell that evening, smiling broadly from taking her first massive recreation animal, prompted two different smiles as her mom and I have been happy with our daughter’s efforts.

Getting there:

Take Highway 65 west, between Elk Lake and Matachewan, in northeastern Ontario.

Cost:

The six-day bear-hunting bundle is $1,699 per hunter and consists of lodging, a ship and motor, baited stands, and retrieving/processing of the bear.

Accommodations:

There are 11 cottages with one to 3 bedrooms, plus just a few trailer websites. Facilities embody a seashore, docks, sauna, retailer, and waterslide. Boats and ATV leases out there.