A Trophy Buck Tale

Gord Ellis shares his experience hunting big bucks in Sunset Country

November in Northwestern Ontario is prime time for big bucks. Whether you are in pine woods near Kenora or a cutover north of Dryden, you never know when a trophy buck will show up. One hunt that really exemplifies this took place a few years back.

It was early November and there was already snow on the ground. Our group got a late start and didn't get to the hunting area until after first light. I dropped my Dad off at his favourite spot and then took my oldest son Devin up to an area that had produced the previous year. Just another 500 yards up the road was an old cut along with a chunk of green bush. This spot had haunted me ever since I blew a great chance on a buck two years earlier. It was payback time.

The air was crisp and a mild breeze was blowing across the cut. I decided to pick my way along the bush line and set up to call when I found some sign. It was easy to be quiet thanks to the four inches of wet snow. About two hundred yards in, I spotted a fresh rub on a tree, lots of buck tracks, and a boulder nearby that would work well as a seat. Below the rock, a game trail meandered along the bush line. This would be a perfect spot to call.

I took out my rattle bag and crashed the sticks together. This imitated the sound of bucks fighting. Then I made a few grunts with a brand new call. The pig-like sounds echoed across the cut. About 20 minutes later, I heard a small sneeze behind me. I turned my head and caught the heart-stopping sight of a big buck exiting stage right, less than 15 yards away. The crosshairs found their mark and a shot cracked. The buck disappeared behind a bald rock. After several long minutes, I went to investigate and saw the long tines of a trophy ten-point buck pointing up from the ground just 30 yards from where I'd been sitting. I looked at my watch. In a half an hour my buck hunt was over.

It can happen just that fast in the Northwest. Plan your own trip here.

Nice Northwestern Ontario buck Gord Ellis photo
Nice Northwestern Ontario Buck (Photo credit: Gord Ellis)

For more information on deer hunting in Northwestern Ontario contact :

Ontario Sunset Country Travel Association
1-800-665-7567 in North America
(807) 468-5853 Internationally or locally
info@ontariossunsetcountry.ca
visitsunsetcountry.com

About Gord Ellis

Gord Ellis is a lifelong resident of Thunder Bay, Ontario and a full time journalist, broadcaster, professional angler and guide. He is the senior editor of Ontario Out of Doors magazine, Canada's best read fishing and hunting magazine. Gord is a regular on CBC radio's Superior Morning and writes a monthly column on Ontario for the Northern Wilds magazine, in Minnesota. He has written over a thousand feature articles and columns for publications as diverse as Sentier Chasse Peche, in Quebec, the Financial Post and the Globe and Mail. He is a long time member of the Outdoor Writers of Canada and has won better than 25 national awards for his writing and photography. In 2018, Gord was inducted into the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward, Wisconsin.

Recommended Articles

Top Pheasant Destinations

6 amazing places in Ontario that offer quality pheasant hunts.

Becoming a Trapper

What you need to know and consider before you become licensed.

Grouse Hunting in Sunset Country

You won't have trouble reaching your ruffed grouse limit here

Understanding the Whitetail Rut

Simple tactics for a successful deer hunt.

Deer Hunting in Sunset Country

An overview of deer hunting in Northwestern Ontario—and what the future holds

Trophy Deer Hunts in Thunder Bay

Gord Ellis reveals one of Northwest Ontario's most overlooked trophy hunts.

Grouse Hunting Outfitters In Ontario’s North

The pros and pros of heading north for grouse

Fall Moose Hunting

Try These 6 Tips to Help You Get Your Moose

A Duck Hunting Bonanza

Duck Hunting on Tthe mouth of the Thames River.

First Class Duck Hunt

Avid Duck Hunters Should Hunt Walpole Island at Least Once

A Beginner's Guide to Hunting in Ontario

Everything a first timer needs to know.

26 Amazing Whitetail Hunting Lodges in Sunset Country

Big game hunters look forward all year to when whitetail deer season opens.

Ontario Waterfowl Hunt

Canada in the Rough hunts for waterfowl around Prince Edward County.

Northwest Deer

Four Places to Hunt in Sunset Country

Stalking Late Bucks

Late Season Hunting Has Its Advantages

Ontario's Largest Moose by a Female

A father and daughter's big game hunt in Ontario.

Remote Shoreline Moose Hunting

A fly-in moose hunting adventure at Winoga Lodge in Sioux Lookout.

Fins and Feathers

Hunting Grouse at Gowganda Lake Lodge

Hunting Turkey

Lots of Options in Grey Bruce County

Is an All Day Deer Hunt Worth It?

Paul Beasely shares his tips on how to succeed at the dreaded all-day sit.