As title says….anyone ever hunted Anticosti Island? If so, I’d love to hear your experience.

I’m thinking outside the box for maybe planning a trip next season somewhere. I don’t care about deer antler size, just want to see a different part of the countryside and experience something different that has a fairly good success rate too.

Can't remember who, but there are a couple members who go annually.
Have posted here or the Canada forum about it.


Here is a link to one discussion from the 'fire.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/15452042/anticosti-island-hunting

Long Beard Hunter hints there yearly. Or at least used to. It’s a bucket list hunt for me.

^^^ Yeah, Stephen & Nan - Long Beard King !

I hunted Cerf Sau (I think I spelled it right) in 2001. Five day hunt and it rained sideways for 3 1/2 days. My father and I shot 4 very small bucks. It was a new and nice hunt, we could have done without the rain.

The cabins were new and the food was great. Escargot one night, surf and turf the last night. Crepes every morning. I didn't like a cold sandwich for lunch on a $3K hunt.

There was 1 guide for 4 hunters which also sucked. What bothered me was I wanted to hunt the beach or go on the canoe hunt and was told those hunts weren't in my guides rotation. It seemed like the repeat hunters got the preference on hunting spots.

Most of the deer were small although we a couple of nice 8's and 10's were shot.

The bus ride in with the French Canadians also sucked and there almost was a fight.

I never went back.

Sako76,

Serious question so I understand your disappointment.
We’re you looking for a more private experience and deer with larger antlers? Also a 1/1 guide to hunter situation?

I’m seriously considering to contact some of the outfitters, but I don’t want to go either if I’m setting myself up for unrealistic expectations. From everything I read, a skilled hunter should have ample opportunity during the November hunts to see some bucks if he puts in the effort. I’m looking for any input if this is true?

Personally, I’ve never hunted the NE for deer, but consider myself fairly skilled at killing them in the south. I’m in decent shape and multiple miles a day shouldn’t be an issue.

I’d be interested in anyone that’s hunted the late or early seasons as well to hear what it’s like. I think I’d like the rut and hope for snow, but that’s me.

I hunted the Bell river lodge back in the early 80’s when it first opened. Deer population was as thick as mosquitoes in NC! Not to be offensive, but the French Canadians were not very friendly. Killed a deer while stalking along the beach. Just go do it. Either way it’s a super cool experience. Go to the best camp you can afford.

LongBeardKing

So I found out that a friend of mine went a few years back….and doesn’t seem like he’d recommend it.
Two folks now have commented on the lack of friendliness of the hosts and other hunters….

Now it seems that the government agency Sepaq bought one of the other private agencies out?

Definitely will be doing much more research on this idea before jumping in.

Search Longbeardking, he has given some great write ups and photos of past hunts

I was there 21 years ago, it was going downhill then, I don't think it's gotten better. LongBeardKing always seems to have a great time there. Each hunter has a different expectation. I'm not sure of the cost, you should go and check it out.

I have hunted there every year since 1991 except 3 years. Three times I went twice. Expect small deer with short tines. Usually a lot of deer except after a big winter kill. It is the winter kill that limits the deer herd. Sept and Oct are good times for does. Nov can be very good for bucks especially after a good snow and the deer start their migration to the south coast. As for the guides and other hunters remember you are in French Canada. They speak French as their primary language. Most understand English well enough to function. I hunted many years with Steve and Nancy. Miss hunting with them in Nov but I switched to Sept for two extra days for less money. Good luck on finding an opening. I have been told there are over 200 on the waiting list. The last two years they were 100% booked in Jan for the year. Almost all the hunters are from Quebec. Out of 25 in camp for the winter hunt in Dec last year I was the only one from the USA.

If you like small bucks and overpriced hunts Anticosti is the ticket lol

We used to hunt bears in Quebec. French Canadians are not very friendly toward Americans. They all know English but refuse to talk to you in English, speaking French for whatever reason. Checking in bears was an adventure in trying not to be deceived into pointing to a wrong area of your kill site.

I've not been to Anticosti but have looked at it a few times. The hunt seemed a bit pricey for the amenities and deer quality. I could take the same $3k and hunt NF in many states a couple of times. To me, an out of state hunt is about the experience - the terrain, uniqueness of the area, figuring out the animal. An animal is a bonus but given a modicum of hunting prowess, a bit of work, and reasonable expectations, success is achievable. Hunting new areas, especially in the west, is still a dang good vacation. We call it armed hiking some years

I certainly wouldn't willing spend a minute around cold weather frogs.

One of the posts I never want to miss

First, French Canadians hate anyone who isn't, including the rest of Canada, who also hate them.

They are free loading socialist.

If I had to hunt with those snowflakes, I'd have to pass.

I lived in Burlington VT. For 5 years, and used to frequently go to Montreal.

Those snowflakes won't give you the time of day if you aren't one of them.

Same. Always look forward to that one.

In 30yrs of hunting Sepaq Anticosti I have had only one bad experience with the people in Quebec. I don't speak French but since most there speak some English and some better English than some here. If you acting like the Ugly American you get what you deserve. Not everyone has a mindset for learning languages. I have tried to learn French to no avail. When I have had a server in a restaurant that had difficulty understanding me she has always returned with someone who spoke English well. If you went to Japan would you expect everyone to understand American English?

Thanks everyone for the kind words. And HAPPY Birthday DiamondJim. Nan and I have gone there every year since 2003 except for 2020 because of the political virus. I do take exception to the small deer and overpriced hunts. I would say the average is in the 130 pound range. If you don't have money to spare you shouldn't consider hunting there. I have to pay for two spots because I wouldn't go without my wife. The memories we have are priceless. You can shoot 2 deer, buck OR doe. The scenery is to die for. We will be heading back during Thanksgiving. We have not once come home disappointed. If you are looking for huge racks and monster deer. STAY where you. If you want a great time seeing deer in good numbers, hunting deer on the beach or in thick swamps, rattling and calling deer in, Anticosti is paradise.

The misconception many have thatI have talked to is the size of the deer. They think because the island is far north that the deer will be 300lbs.. My biggest buck was 165lbs. 130 is about average. They don't have the food base that the deer in western. Canada have. One thing that is a constant is that I have always had a good time. The deer are a bonus

I agree with you TOTALLY, Joe. It isn't as much fun there without you. I just paid my final payment on Thursday so barring and border bans we are good to go for another November hunt.

He’s right. I’m Canadian, and we can’t stand the bastards! I’d rather spend my money on a US hunt than give those freeloaders a dime!

Will be leaving in three weeks for my final Anticosti hunt trip. It has been a good 30 years but all things must end sometimes. I do miss not being there with you and Nan, Henry, Peter, BobL and Bob S.

Sad day for us. PLEASE please stay in touch.

I never went but my father used to go annually with friends from Montreal, they were all born in Quebec, and so was I. But I was smarter and escaped to Alberta in 1987, my only regret in life is that I didn't leave in 1978 when I turned 18! I prefer to hunt giant whitetails here is Alberta with my biggest to date being 203 B&C Typical, a bruiser!

In any case here is a picture of my father with two that he shot one year; those are the typical size of the bucks you get if you hunt Anticosti. Sorry for the poor quality of the picture, I had to scan it.

Cheers ~ KillerBee