An Unforgettable Northern Ontario Bear Hunt at Pasha Lake

For many, a trip to the wilderness is a chance to escape the everyday, but for us, a recent journey to Northern Ontario was an opportunity for an unforgettable adventure in the outdoors. It was a week filled with incredible hunting, fishing, and the kind of company that makes a trip truly special.

Our journey began with a 13-hour drive towards a little town in Northern Ontario called Jellicoe. Each kilometre brings a renewed sense of anticipation, a feeling of getting closer to the purifying wilderness and back into the stand after the long, warm summer months.

On this trip, Kevin would be joined by his good friend Cody McGhee from Yamaha Canada. That week, the boys would be hunting and fishing with Pasha Lake Cabins. When they arrived at camp, they were greeted by owner Victoria Lafreniere and her father, Trevor Stark.

After getting settled into the cabin, they went through trail camera photos with the Pasha Crew. The photos they showed only heightened their eagerness to get out into the woods. The pictures proved to be a testament to the healthy, thriving black bear population in the area. With all the exciting new intel, Kevin and Cody couldn't wait to get into the stand, hoping for a chance at one of Pasha's giant black bears.

The first morning at Pasha Lake was a whirlwind of activity. The guys jumped in the side-by-side and began navigating the logging roads alongside Trevor and Rob. After having a blast riding down the logging roads, the boys were able to get a sense of the area and began setting up ground blinds and stands at various hunting locations.

Returning to camp, Kevin and Cody made sure to sight in their bows to confirm that they had made the long journey across Ontario safely. Then they grabbed a bite to eat before setting out to start the first evening hunt. 

Almost immediately, the action began. A black bear wandered into the area, a beautiful boar that would have been a worthy harvest. Knowing it was only day one and there were bigger bears to be found in the area, Kevin decided to pass.

Meanwhile, Cody was having just as much fun in his stand. Shortly after settling in, Cody witnessed his second-ever encounter with a black bear. Surely one to remember, as this young bear was marked with a small white patch on its chest. It was a promising start, but the real hunt was yet to come.

Bear hunting was the main event this week, but Victoria insisted that the guys experience the great fishing opportunities here at Pasha. So, they traded in their bows for fishing rods and drove to a favourite lake to spend the morning. Victoria's knowledge of fishing in this area was undeniable; as a group, they caught 63 fish in just over three hours. Kevin and Cody were blown away by the sheer number of walleye and the impressive average size that were caught. Of the 63 fish caught, 53 of them were between 20 - 26 inches, some truly giant walleye. Although walleye and northern pike were what they were catching at this lake, Pasha has access to over 40 other lakes within the area that produce trophy brook trout, lake trout, splake, walleye and northern pike, including the renowned Lake Nipigon.

The crew was all smiles as they pulled in walleye after walleye all morning, even landing a triple header before heading back to camp. It was truly an incredible fishery, but what impressed Kevin and Cody most was Victoria's knowledge as a guide; she really knew how to put them on fish!

Back in the stand, Cody's patience paid off as a young bear appeared. Not the one he was looking for, but a fun bear to watch. Then, a distinct crack echoed from behind him. A mature boar, exactly what Cody had been hoping for, was slowly making its way into the area. Cody drew back his bow and let his arrow fly, finding its mark with a perfect broadside shot. 

After giving the bear some time, Cody messaged Trevor and Rob back at camp, and the three of them shared a moment that would be etched in their memories forever as they tracked and retrieved the bear. Cody couldn’t be any happier with his harvest, as it was his second-ever bear. They all met back at camp and got some pictures before beginning to process the bear.

That same evening, Kevin had switched to a new stand with some promising trail camera photos and bear sign all over. After getting set up, he watched multiple young bears come and go all evening, often running each other off. With such an active evening, he was excited to get back into the tree stand the next morning. 

The excitement continued the next day. The same young bears returned and hung around for the better part of the morning. Until out of nowhere, a beautiful boar, confident in his territory, made his way into the area and pushed all the young bears out. Kevin debated the true size of this boar for minutes. With such a perfect opportunity presenting itself and a boar that looked like he ran the area, Kevin decided to draw back his bow.

The boar turned broadside, and Kevin released his arrow. The bear bolted after the shot and ran only 25 yards before expiring within sight. Although this bear wasn't one of the true giants that Pasha Lake has, Kevin was still thrilled to have made a great shot and harvested a bear that would provide for family and friends back home.

With two successful hunts under our belts, the next morning was spent butchering and processing the meat. For lunch, the boys prepared a delicious meal of Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches using the fresh bear loins. Enjoying the meal with a stunning view of Pasha Lake, it was the perfect way to celebrate successful harvests for the guys.

This trip to Pasha Lake Cabins was more than just a hunt; it was a full Northern Ontario adventure. The boys were not only going home with bear meat and walleye fillets. But also a collection of incredible memories and a deep appreciation for the beauty within this region of Ontario and the incredible hospitality from the crew at Pasha Lake Cabins. It's a testament to the fact that nothing can beat a week of great hunting, fishing, and even better company in the Ontario wilderness.

If you're interested in an incredible black bear hunt or a world-class fishing trip, you must give Victoria a call. You won't regret it! After such a memorable week with Pasha, Kevin and Cody can't wait to go back again.

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