Highway 105 Adventure Guide

HUNTING
Hunters travelling to our area will find a wide range of hunting opportunities. With many remote locations to choose from, you
could find yourself hiking through some apparent untouched wilderness in search of the north’s majestic giants. It is known that our
wilderness provides some of the best hunting for Black Bear and Moose in North America. In addition to these popular animals, hunters
can enjoy opportunities for whitetail deer, small game, and duck and migratory bird hunting.
WHITETAIL DEER
Whitetail deer can be found throughout much of Ontario. Their range appears to be expanding
northward over time. Abundant food makes almost any forested or bushy area suitable for deer,
including parks and green spaces created by people. In winter, as snow deepens, deer concentrate
in areas that provide food and shelter from deep snow. During the spring and summer, deer eat
leafy material from woody plants, grasses and herbs. They also eat mushrooms and blueberries. In
autumn and winter, deer depend largely on the twigs and buds that are within their reach. Acorns
are a favourite autumn food for whitetail deer living in Northwestern Ontario.
Size: 0.9 to 1.1 m (3.0-3.5 ft) Adult Buck: 45 to 136 kg (100-300 Ib) Adult Doe: 39 to 60 kg (85-130 Ib)
MOOSE
Moose are found across northern and central Ontario. They live near lakes, muskegs and streams
of the boreal forest and on the northern tundra.
Moose are the largest animal in Ontario. Large males (bulls) weigh up to 600 kilograms. Moose live
on a diet of twigs, leaves, shrubs, upland plants and water plants. Moose tolerate cold very well but
suffer from heat. In summer, especially during black fly season, moose often cool off in water for
several hours each day. Moose are strong swimmers and can dive more than five metres in search
of food on the bottom of the lake.
Size: 1.5 to 1.8 m (5.5-6.0 ft) Bull: 400 to 545 kg (880-1,200 Ib) Cow: 375 to 535 kg (825-1,180 Ib)
BLACK BEAR
Black bears live throughout most of Ontario and prefer forested areas where they are best able
to find food, refuge and den sites. When they are not hibernating, bears spend most of their
time looking for food. In the summer, they eat berries such as blueberries, strawberries and
raspberries. In the fall, they turn their attention to hazelnuts, mountain ash, acorns and beech
nuts. While black bears will eat carrion, insects, fish, deer and moose calves, the bulk of their diet
is made up of plants. They like to find lots of high energy food - like huge berry patches - that will
help them fatten up fast. Their survival and ability to have young depends on them doubling their
weight before winter hibernation. While black is the most common colour, brown and cinnamon
phases also occur.
Adult Female: 59 to 104 kg (130-230 Ib) Adult Male: 91 to 181 kg (200-400 Ib)
HWY 105 Adventure Guide 11