There is a certain feeling that comes with this time of year in Northwestern Ontario. The mornings start getting cooler, the days get shorter, the leaves begin to change and, for those of us who spend our time outdoors, our minds naturally start turning toward the bush. Hunting season is just around the corner, and that means it is time to start getting ourselves, our families and our gear ready. For me, that feeling has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Northern Ontario, hunting and fishing were never something that needed a special occasion. They were simply part of life. They were about being outside, learning from the people around you, understanding the land and wildlife, and spending time with family and friends. That is one of the things I love most about hunting season. It is not just about the hunt itself. It is everything that happens before, during and after it.
Getting ready for hunting season starts with preparation, and there is something satisfying about pulling out all of your gear after a summer spent fishing, camping and enjoying the water. It is time to go through everything piece by piece. Are your boots still in good shape? Is your clothing ready for cold mornings and changing weather? Are your batteries charged? Is your first-aid kit stocked? Have you checked your maps, your vehicle, your access points and the areas you plan to hunt? Have you checked the condition of your equipment and made sure everything is ready before opening morning rather than discovering something is missing when you are already sitting in the bush? These are the little things that can make a big difference. Northwestern Ontario is beautiful, but it is also big country. Weather can change quickly, roads and trails can be unpredictable and cell service is not something you should always count on. Being prepared does not take away from the adventure. It allows you to enjoy it more and, most importantly, make sure you get home safely.
But getting ready for hunting season is about more than equipment. It is also about the people you will share it with. Who are you hunting with this year? Maybe it is the same group you have hunted with for years. Maybe it is your dad, mom, brother, sister, spouse, friend or hunting partner. Maybe this is the year you take your kids into the bush and watch them experience hunting for the first time. Maybe there is someone in your life who has always wanted to learn, and this is the year you finally take them along. That is where so much of the real tradition of hunting lives. We talk about successful hunts and big animals, but some of the memories that stay with us have nothing to do with what we brought home. They are the cold mornings sitting together waiting for daylight, the conversations in the truck, the coffee around camp, the person who taught you how to read the woods and the stories that somehow get better every time they are told.
And then there is what happens after the hunt: the food. For many families, wild game is not just another meal. It represents time spent outdoors, hard work, respect for the animal and the satisfaction of putting something you harvested on the table. Everyone seems to have their own favorite recipe, whether it is venison steaks on the grill, moose stew after a long day outside, a favorite sausage recipe or something that has been passed down through the family for generations. Some recipes are carefully guarded family secrets, while others are happily shared with anyone who asks. There is also something special about discovering a new way to prepare wild game and having it become the recipe everyone asks for. Food has a way of bringing the whole experience together, and some of the best hunting stories seem to happen around the kitchen table after the gear has been put away.
That got me thinking about the hunting community here in Kenora and across Northwestern Ontario. We all have our own experiences, traditions and opinions when it comes to hunting, and I want to hear yours. What are you hunting for this season? What is your favorite game to pursue? What is the one piece of gear you absolutely refuse to leave home without? Who taught you how to hunt? What is the best hunt you have ever experienced? Was it the biggest animal you ever harvested, or was it a hunt where you never even pulled the trigger but came home with a story you will never forget? And what are you cooking when you get home? I want to hear about the recipes that have been part of your family forever, the ones you learned from your parents or grandparents, and the new recipes you have discovered along the way.
Hunting is about so much more than the harvest. It is knowledge being passed down from one generation to the next. It is someone saying, “Come with me, I will show you.” It is learning patience, responsibility and respect for the land and wildlife. It is getting outside and slowing down for a little while in a world that seems to move faster every year. It is spending time with people who matter to you and creating memories that last long after the season is over. For many of us, hunting is part of who we are and part of what makes Northwestern Ontario such a special place to live.
So, as we get closer to another hunting season, take the time to get prepared, check your gear, make your plans, know where you are going and make sure someone knows where you will be. But more importantly, think about what you are looking forward to. Maybe it is your first hunt. Maybe it is taking someone else out for theirs. Maybe it is returning to the same camp you have been going to for twenty years. Maybe it is filling the freezer or simply spending a few quiet mornings in the bush. Whatever it is, I want to hear about it. Drop a comment and tell us what you are hunting, who you are going with, your favorite game to eat or the one hunting tradition you would never give up. Let’s hear the stories, share the recipes and get Northwestern Ontario talking about hunting season before we even get to opening morning.
Because hunting season is not just something on the calendar. For those of us who live it, it is a feeling, a tradition and a way of life. And around here, it is almost time to get back to the bush.
