With a white-tailed deer hunting record of nearly 100 animals, we can safely say that Zec Jaro in Beauce had an exceptional hunting season this fall.
“I am more than satisfied with the quantity but also with the quality of the deer harvested,” explains Zec’s general director, Gilles Paquet. We haven’t had a hunting success of this magnitude for a decade. »
It must be said here that the area of 155 square kilometers is very close to Armstrong’s devastation.
“The last inventory we received showed more than 3,500 animals in the devastation,” explains the expert, who has been working with Zec for 40 years. We must not forget that in 2007 and 2008 we experienced difficult years after the very harsh winters that we experienced. »
“We had lost more than 40% of the population. It took several years to recover and harvest 80 to 100 deer again. In terms of the quality of the animals recorded, it is quite exceptional. We had several bucks that weighed over 180 pounds, and some tipped the scales at over 200 pounds, always while being gutted. »
For the entire season, Zec welcomes 170 hunters.
“This year we recorded 170 hunters visiting the area during the three firearms hunting weekends. The success rate is pretty impressive. The record number of animals recorded was 170 when we were in good years. But after the decline that we have experienced, to return to success rates like this fall, I am very happy, very satisfied. »
AREA DEVELOPMENT
According to the specialist, it is certain that the land developments undertaken amid the devastation have borne fruit.
“Despite what some people say, we are not exaggerating Armstrong’s devastation. If we include the clubs around us, 250 to 300 deer have to be harvested from a population of 3,500 animals. We are in good times. If we ever experience a harsh winter, they will die naturally. So it’s not bad to capture them intelligently by hunting. »
For him, forestry interventions were of great benefit.
“According to some, the Armstrong Desolation should be completely covered by virgin forest. Such an environment would not be able to sustain the white-tailed deer population we currently have. You need openings in the forest, which proved successful in the 1970s and 1980s. These openings, if well made, become the deer’s pantry. Additionally, the remaining strips of forest serve as shelter for the deer, an ideal situation for a devastation like ours. »
Scientific data shows that smart harvesting can help the deer population.
“According to experts, we can accommodate 10% of a given population without endangering the capital,” explains the expert. I dare to believe that there are still experts and biologists in the ministry who know what they are saying. I trust them. I’m right there and we can see that the population is doing well. »
“We see that we are in good years and that the herd has renewed itself well and that this will continue to be the case if Mother Nature cooperates. I believe that we will not have a harsh winter with El Niño. We don’t know what’s hanging over our heads, but I firmly believe that the stars are well aligned. »
YOUTH NATURE PROGRAM
Since his arrival at Zec, Gilles Paquet had always thought about training a successor. The first work was carried out in the area of summer and winter fishing, before the “Hunting” file was opened with the Jeunesse Nature program.
“Over the next two weekends, the selected youth will be able to go into the forest with mentors to receive an introduction to hunting white-tailed deer. Last year we held a fundraising dinner that raised $100,000 to help fund the program. To me, this is proof that people believe in us educating the next generation. »
With the snow we just received, migration movement toward the Ravage will occur for the deer population that resides in the Armstrong-Ravage during the winter. There is no doubt that this will promote young people’s hunting success.
