Big game species along with wild turkey and waterfowl abound in Quebec. The province features 29 Wildlife Management Units (Zones de Chasse), mostly clustered together in the south, branching out in all directions from the St. Lawrence River. Heading north, just five WMUs cover almost 65% of the province. Black bears are found throughout Quebec, while deer and moose tend to be found in the south. Caribou sport hunting is currently closed but previously took place in the northern WMUs. The province maintains thirteen wildlife reserves and over 40 ZECs, which are Crown land set aside for recreational activities. Here are a few great places in the province to head out hunting! Ashuapmushuan Wildlife Reserve Ashuapmushuan Wildlife Reserve, located north of La Doré, is a prime destination for hunters and anglers. Named after the wild whitewater river which runs through the wildlife reserve, moose, deer and bear can be taken here. There are a number of restrictions relating to exclusive rights and activity in the reserve, so check the regulations before heading out. Accommodations include two campgrounds, 4 rustic shelter camps and 7 cabins, which are found on Lac Chigoubiche. Dumoine ZEC With its northern boundary located west of Temiscamping and its southern edge meeting the Ottawa River southeast of Mattawa, fishing, small game, bear, deer and moose hunting are the activities found at Dumoine ZEC. There are nine cabins and rustic camping available at this popular ZEC location. Jaro ZEC Located near Saint-Théophile along the Maine Border, Jaro is a popular white-tail deer hunting area. Additionally, fly fishing, fishing, small game, bear and moose hunting round out activities here. Accommodations include a campground, RV park, rustic campgrounds and a 36-room chalet. Laurentides Wildlife Reserve Located between Quebec City and Saguaney-Lac-Saint-Jean, this huge reserve is popular with hunters for small game, moose and bear. Found in WMU 27, the reserve is divided into 70 hunting sectors and moose hunting is limited by quota with most moose hunting packages subject to a random draw. That said, the Portes de l’Enfer Lodge package offers more elaborate services and is not subject to the random draw. There are two campgrounds here, over 100 cabins spread throughout the park and a number of rustic shelters. Lavigne ZEC With 176 lakes and over 170 km (106 mi) of roads, Lavigne ZEC, just north of Saint-Côme has plenty to offer. Activities include fly fishing, small game, bear and moose hunting. The ZEC has 13 chalets for rent located on Lake Sarazin and Lake Hull. Wilderness camping is allowed throughout the ZEC. Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve Due to its location near large urban areas and because there is a well-maintained network of highways and roads, Mastigouche is a popular destination. Small game, moose and deer hunting as well as a spring bear hunt attract hunters to this wildlife reserve. Campgrounds, rustic sites spread throughout the reserve and cabins offer plenty of accommodations for visitors. Matane Wildlife Reserve There are over 4,000 moose in the Matane Wildlife Reserve. Hunters consider the reserve a mecca for their sport in Quebec. The reserve is divided into 38 hunting sectors with moose stays assigned by random draw. In addition to moose hunting, the reserve offers small game hunting and a spring bear hunt. There are two campgrounds, 20 cabins spread throughout the reserve, rustic shelters and primitive campsites. Mitchinamecus ZEC North of Sainte-Anne-du-Lac, this popular ZEC offers fishing, small game, bear and moose hunting. There are 5 campgrounds accessible by car and Baie Villeneuve is home to 17 sites accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles only. Papineau-Labelle Wildlife Reserve Papineau-Labelle is the most southern wildlife reserve in Quebec. Straddling the Outaouais and Laurentides regions, the reserve is home to a large white-tailed deer and moose population. The reserve is primarily a deer hunting area, divided into eighty hunting areas. Small game hunting is allowed and there is a spring bear hunt. There is an abundance of accommodations with 7 campgrounds, huts, rustic shelters and 40 cabins. Portneuf Wildlife Reserve Due to its location just an hour north-west of Quebec City, Portneuf, a true four-season reserve, is a popular destination. Hunters will find deer, bear and moose hunting, depending on the season, and trophy hunters choose this reserve for its quality of wildlife. There are campgrounds, rustic shelters and 36 cabins spread throughout the reserve. Rimouski Wildlife Reserve Rimouski Wildlife Reserve is a great destination for wildlife as the diverse landscape offers moose, white-tailed deer and black bear. The reserve is divided into 32 hunting sectors and moose hunting is by quota and comes with either the American or European plan. The reserve attracts trophy bear hunters in the spring for its quality bear population. There are 17 campsites on the shore of Lac Rimouski along with 27 cabins spread throughout the reserve. Rouge-Matawin Wildlife Reserve Located next to Mont Tremblant National Park, this nature reserve gained its name from the two watersheds that supply water to the park, the Riviére Rouge and the Riviére Matawin. The park is primarily focused on hunters and fishermen with its spring bear hunt prized by hunters around the world. The reserve is divided into twenty hunting sectors for both moose and white-tailed deer. The reserve features a number of small campgrounds, cabins, Hékipia tents, Modik cabins and rustic backcountry campsites. These are but a few of the many hunting locations within Quebec. As specific rules apply to out of province hunters, be sure to acquaint yourself with all the current regulations before your trip. Visit sepaq.com and reseauzec.com for more information on Quebec’s wildlife reserves and ZEC’s, and be sure to check out the Quebec and Eastern Canada GPS Maps for more hunting information across the province! Shop Hunting Maps
