THE ROSSEAU DEER HUNT 2023

In 2022 The Ridge Ranch Deer Camp had its last hunt. Jim Bamford, owner of the property, had died. Jim’s wish, following his death, was for the camp to have one last hunt. The coffers of the club were to cover the two week hunt’s expenses.

Barry Austin and Jim grew up together in Leaside and remained lifelong pals.

“I started deer hunting in Saskatchewan at age 20 when I left home,” wrote Austin. In 1962, back in Ontario, Jim and Barry were part of the beginning of the Robinson Lake gang. They deer hunted from their camp north of Sebright. That camp burned in 1997. In the meantime Jim had purchased the Nicholson farm on The Ridge Road near the Hamlet of Coe Hill. Affectionately, it was known as The Ranch. The Robinson gang hunted out of the old farmhouse until it was torn down and replaced by a new log structure. Members used to smile at the fact if they placed a can of pop on the floor at one end of the farmhouse kitchen it would roll to the other end.

In 2023 Barry Austin, age 81,  joined another deer camp, in his words, “a real bush camp complete with outhouse, no water, propane, generator for hydro, one room plus kitchen. Sleeping accommodations included a bunk bed plus a pull down ladder which offered access for sleeping for two in the attic. Not quite like Coe Hill – more like where we started in 1962 at Robinson Lake. Had with me a young friend, Andrew, of 45 who is a real bushman and hunter.”

Barry hunted until Thursday of the first week of the deer rifle season. “Only two of us in Andrew’s Camp of 100 acres but he is also a 1/12 owner of an adjoining camp of 1200 acres and the other 11 members only hunt the second week but Andrew hunts both weeks and both properties.”

Like Bill O’Brien, ironically of Coe Hill, Barry wishes to hunt “till at least I am 100 as I want to receive a letter saying I didn’t fill out the outdoors card properly. Unless it has been updated you can only put your age in 2 boxes – 99 max. A few years ago some young pup at a desk wrote a note back to a 100 yr. old telling him his application had been rejected due to incomplete or inaccurate information. I well remember the article in the OFAH magazine.”

If motivation is key to success Barry will achieve his goal. Like Bill before him. (See article on Bill O’Brien at www.thetimetraveller.ca)

Barry, in his own words, managed to harvest two deer during this year’s deer hunt near Rosseau, Ontario. “How amazing, as you grow older – you go for the joy of bonding with nature and if you get lucky – that’s a bonus.”

Barry, an ardent gun collector and shooter, used a single shot brass framed Henry in 44 Rem caliber to shoot the two deer at 125+ yards. “They never moved after they were hit! “

At The Ridge Camp there was a stand called, by some, the condo, as it sat on stilts and offered a comfortable setting for watching. At Rosseau Barry sat in a similar structure. “No dogs, just sitting, periodically rattle, grunt and sip coffee and have a periodic snooze. Goes with 81 years.”

The view overlooked a meadow. “Really tough day (tongue-in cheek?) Up at 4:30, in the hide by 6:15, minimum bike ride each way plus 10 minute walk.”

Trail cameras recorded a variety of game animals clocking details such as date and time. Moose, deer, and bear were evident at all hours, day or night. (As an aside, while spring turkey hunting with Jim Bamford, he returned after lunch to use a ground blind that I had occupied during the morning only to find that it had been demolished by a bear. Needless to say we were glad it was unoccupied at the time. – Ed)

Regarding the prolific wildlife, Barry says he felt like he was at “BIG BUBBAS’ DUDE RANCH.”

One buck that Barry harvested was an 8 pointer that dressed out at 200 pounds. Never understood ‘dressed’. Thought it should be ‘undressed’. Easier for the uninitiated to comprehend. The deer will hang in a cool cargo ship container for 12 days.  In warm weather a block of ice helps maintain the cool. “It reminded me of Robinson Camp 60 years ago,” said Austin. “Still lots of fun.”

To read about the last deer hunt for the Ridge Ranch Deer Camp goto: www.thetimetraveller.ca and click on the ‘Deer Camp’ item.