Looking at deer hunting the Vermillion Bay Area this fall for the first time and looking for some local input vs talking with Outfitters that seem to very optimistic about deer numbers and high success rates.

Any locals that can provide some insight?

Thank you, Dave

You live In WI and your going deer hunting In Canada.

I hear ya, just looking at something different and have never hunted Canada.

Dave.

You will need an outfitter. Depending on the type of hunt I would say you are starting at $2000 plus. In Saskatchewan you would be minimum $4000 with no guarantee of a deer. As a nonresident big game is expensive, bird or fishing licenses are minimal compared to big game.best I can tell you Do your research.

You looking to kill a deer or big buck?

Scenery is awesome!

If you do get a chance at a buck, expect it to be 100”-110”. Or smaller.

Would be a good trip to get away for a bit.

Don’t expect to shoot a buck. Look at it as some time away from home, with the possibility of shooting a deer.

Goal would be to shoot a good buck (140”+). Researching deer numbers it appears there were some tough winters in the last 5 years so still deciding if this is the area to go to, look somewhere else in Canada or explore options in Central US.

Dave

Ontario is not the place to go if you’re wanting a big buck. Saskatchewan, Alberta, western Manitoba in that order. Ontario has good fishing and wolf hunting.

But being from Wisconsin, Ontario is much closer for you.

I’d say, give Vermillion a try and you’ll know for future hunts where you might want to try.

Prior to 2007 northwest Ontario was a big whitetail buck Mecca. Zone 8 a non resident alien does not need an outfitter. I did, do it your self hunts from 2006- 2010, I could drive from northern NY State rent a cabin and hunt for 10 days for less than $1500 US. After 2007 the quality of the hunt went down hill, hard winters, wolves, and too many NR killing small young deer. I have friends that still go to the Dryden area each November. They still have good success, but not the quality of bucks that use to be.

A couple more Northwest Ontario Bucks from the Dryden area.

…. Hope you get a biggin and prove JP wrong lol

Got a couple buds who live in Kenora. Every year one, or both, tag a 140+ class buck from the area and they do more drinking than hunting. There’s some big friggin bucks out there. Only problem I foresee is finding a spot that’s not “taken” and within a few miles of a trail.
We got outfitters that bring deer hunters in on crown land here, I always wondered why? Stick to outfitters that are out in the boonies, or are set up on private land. Their clients sometimes get every Tom, Dick & Harry coming through…..lol.
From what I can tell, looks like The only area you need a guide in Ontario is the Rainy River area. But for God sakes don’t take any info on the internet as legal advice…….maybe talk to Bernie B……
Make sure to do some serious research if going in on your own or you’ll wind up in trouble with the locals or the law. Don’t forget about the firearms stuff, unless you go with bow.
Here’s some info…..
https://www.ontario.ca/page/hunting-licence-non-residents-ontario#section-1

My ex-brother in law and I hunted that same general area probably 15 years ago or so. His buck DRESSED 270 pounds and was a tall, wide 10 point. Big deer, just not many of them.