2017 Ontario's Sunset Country Travel Guide 2017-SC-Guide-Digital | Page 6

HUNTING
Big game hunters take note, Sunset Country has central North Ameri-
ca’s largest tracts of boreal forest and the animals that live here make
for some of the best hunting opportunities on the continent. The big-
gest game animal of them all is the moose, with bulls exceeding 1200
pounds. You can hunt these big boys with a bow or rifle. If you are
from the USA, you must get a tag from a licensed outfitter. Whitetail
deer are also a big attraction as our animals have thick, large bodies
and bucks can weigh over 300 pounds. Black bear are everywhere
and success rates for hunters are close to 80%. Sunset Country also
offers excellent hunting opportunities for grouse and in some areas
waterfowl. Try a winter predator hunt for massive timber wolves.
There are many hunting lodges and guides who can get you on to
these animals and improve your chances of bagging a big one. For
most species, using the services of a local lodge or guide is required
for non-residents hunters. You can hunt in many locations including
at a full-service lodge, at an outpost, from a houseboat or even a tent
camp. This is a true wilderness landscape so come prepared for your
hunt in Sunset Country.
Photo: Al Smith
HOUSEBOATING
EVENTS/ATTRACTIONS
If you’re here on a fishing trip or have just
come out for the weekend, you can en-
hance your trip experience by attending
a local special event or visiting one of the
many man-made and natural attractions
in the region. Most communities have
something going on during the summer
and in some instances, the events them-
selves are reasons to travel here.
WILDLIFE VIEWING
Photo: Lac Seul Floating Lodges
We have some big lakes up here and three of them – Lake
of the Woods, Lac Seul and Eagle Lake – offer incredible
houseboating opportunities. A houseboat is one of the most
relaxing of all vacations we have available. You have no
schedule, your boat is your house and you can ply the waters
at your pace. Go fishing or swimming or just explore the
endless maze of islands and rocky shorelines. You can find
your very own sand beach in many cases. Houseboats also
come equipped with a smaller boat so you can go fish nearby
waters or the kids can go tubing.
There are several place you can rent a houseboat. On Lake
of the Woods you can launch out of Kenora, Sioux Narrows,
Nestor Falls or Morson and on Lac Seul you can launch from
Hudson or Ear Falls. Rent a houseboat on Eagle Lake in
Vermilion Bay. Even if you have no experience running one of
these large boats there’s no need to worry. Your houseboat
operator will show you exactly how to operate the boat safely,
supply you with maps and GPS units and they are always
available to assist you if you encounter any issues while out
on the lake.
6 | 2017 Sunset Country Guide
Sunset Country can offer you endless
opportunities for wildlife viewing and
photography. Birdwatchers will enjoy the
many species of songbirds that nest here
or on a larger scale, bald eagles, pelicans,
loons and owls are everywhere. You may
see bigger animals as well, a black bear,
whitetail deer, lynx, wolves or a moose.
If you’re really lucky - you may get a
glimpse of a rare woodland caribou.
WINTER ADVENTURES
Does it get cold in Sunset Country in
the winter? Darn right it does but that
doesn’t mean the adventure has to stop.
If you dress properly cold temperatures
become irrelevant. Go snowmobiling
on over 2000 kilometers of trails or
cross-country ski on our many urban trail
systems. The fishing really “heats up”
during the winter and many go ice fish-
ing. There's nothing like tasting freshly
caught fish in the middle of winter.