Happy New Year!

Thank you to all who visited and supported Wild Goose Lake Resort in 2011. We saw a lot of growth with six new full service RV lots in the upper campground, two serviced lots on the hilltop and new guests. In the fall, cottage 5 was destroyed in a wind storm and we appriciated the understanding from guests we relocated to other cottages while rebuilding. Special thanks to Stephane Parent and his crew from Got Wood (Geraldton) who worked many hours overtime to rebuild the cottage in a short time frame. The last few groups of rifle moose hunters were able to enjoy the newly designed cottage. Painting and interior decorating will be a 2012 spring project.

2011 Black bear hunting was an interesting experience for most hunters. Multiple bears were seen at a bait but the majority were smaller bears at the baits first. The bigger bears watched from the background and many hunters passed up a shot for a chance at a bigger bear. Hunters encountered wolves, rabbits, grouse, and other critters, but overall a successful bear hunt was had by our hunters.

Archery moose hunters found tempatures to warm in the afternoons, but morning and evening hunts were full of excitment. First week of rifle moose brought success for many groups but at one time there were seven moose hanging in the walk-in cooler and one in the freezer. That old cooler was saving grace with the warmer than normal tempatures.

2012 brings some change for MNR Outdoor Cards and Licences. Purchase and renewal can be done on-line at ontario.ca/outdoorscard, by telephone 1-800-288-1155, or at the Resort when you arrive. With the use of a new machine there will be no more multiple papers to carry around, but the convenience of a plastic Outdoors card. Opening season for Walleye is May 19, 2012. Book your cottage early to avoid disappointment.

Thank you for your continued support. All the best in 2012!

Your hosts

Greg & Jacquie

Spring & Summer 2011

What have we been up to? Since the last blog n 2010 we have continued to keep busy. Last fall we had fewer bear hunters but all had a successful bear hunting week. Archery moose and rifle moose hunters harvested a total of 14 moose. It is always such a pleasure to see familiar faces with returning hunting parties and a welcome to meet new hunters.

Winter was long with a lot of snow that seemed to stick around longer than usual this spring. The ice was off Wild Goose Lake on May 9th and cottages were open for the 14th. Last fall we had begun clearing trees in the upper campground (due to Pine Beetles killing the trees) and measured out for six new lots. As soon as the ground was thawed enough to trench we had power & water put in and five of the six lots were rented as seasonal campsites. We have a great group of seasonal campers!

In February we attended the Central Wisconsin Sports Show at the Patriot Center in Wausau, WI. This was their first time holding the show at the new location and the turn-out was terrific! We held daily draws for a t-shirt and fillet knife plus the grand prize draw was for a fishing package week at the resort. The winners were:

Friday's winner: Frank Bloechl of Gleason, WI

Saturday's winner: Sue Draeger of Medford, WI

Grand prize winner: Tomas Thoma Jr. of Wausau, WI

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to chat with us and put your name in for the draws. Congratulations to the winners.

Spring fishing was good this past June but it seemed as though mother nature was 2 weeks behind all season. This year was our 4th annual Canada Day celebrations with around 150 people attending the potluck supper. Music was supplied by Norm & Donna LaBranche with the beach area as a huge dancing floor. The children enjoyed games and winning ribbons in the afternoon with thanks to the volunteers who helped with games, face painting and Canada Day tattoo's. As the sun was setting and it became dark enough, the crowd gathered along the beach to watch a fantastic show of fireworks.

In July we have had a family reunion hosted at the resort. There have been birthday parties, bachelorette party, family fishing as well as a resting spot for various company employees. It is so wonderful to see families and couples enjoying their vacation at Wild Goose Lake Resort! With the dry weather this year, forest fires were abundant int he North and in July many people were evacuated from their homes and placed in Greenstone and surrounding areas. We were fortunate to have some of the EMAT (Emergency Medical Assistance Team) and cooks stay with us for a few days.

On a sad note, we saw how damaging strong winds can be. On August 4th, the wind uprooted all the trees along the shore beside cottage five and laid them on the cottage severely damaging the cottage. We were grateful no one was injured! At this point we are unsure if the cottage will have to be demolished and a new cottage rebuilt or if it can be repaired. As quickly as we can repairs will begin.

Bear hunting season opens today. Watch for a fall update on the 2011 hunting season.

2010 Early Spring

Northern Ontario had a mild winter and early spring. The ice was off the lake on April 12 and we put out the main dock the following day. We were pleased to be able to open the cottages for guests on May 1 this year, two weeks earlier than normal. We are approaching the middle of the month with Walleye fishing season opening on the 15th. with some of our guests flying in from as far away as Chicago. We have the dock extended out this year for our seasonal campers and a new swimming platform to check out.

For anyone still planning fall hunts, all our archery moose tags are spoken for but we have accommodations available for hunting groups that have their own tags. We also have accommodations available the third week (October 23 - 30, 2010) of rifle moose hunting.

WANTED: Bear hunters...with the abundance of bears in the area, we have kept our Bear Hunting Package at a low price. We give each hunter a choice of two active bear baits to hunt from and will do all we can to provide you with a success hunting experience. (Please see the web page for hunting details)

On April 23 - 25, we participated in the Petawawa Sportsman Show and had our booth set up for display. Each night we drew a name for a daily prize. Winner of the Friday draw was a young man, Kaiden, from Petawawa. (See picture) Saturday's winner was Darren Latham. Sunday's winner had the prize left at the arena for pickup. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you everyone who stopped by to see us at our booth.

While driving into the resort you will see an additional six RV camping lots that have been created. These lots will have power and water with a dumping station at the shower house. Each of the existing lots have received a new numbered sign post with a solar light on top, making it easier to locate RV camping lots at night.

We continuously strive to maintain and upgrade Wild Goose Lake Resort for the betterment of all our guests. Drive in and visit us. We would love to see you here!

Black Bear Hunts

2009 Black Bear hunts at Wild Goose Lake Resort began on August 15th and ran for 5 weeks ending September 19th. The bear population in our area was up and a total of 10 bears were harvested.
We began baiting five weeks prior to the hunts. Many trails had become overgrown and we cleared paths to access the baiting sites. This year we set up trail cams at a couple sites where our bait pails kept disappearing. We ended up with many nose shots of curious onlookers and some good pictures of the bears.
When hunters arrived they were each taken to an active baited location and a tree stand was set up. Hunters familiarized themselves with their area and checked over their bows and other equipment before beginning their bear hunt. An archery range has been set up at the resort for target practicing and sighting in their bows.
One of our return hunters who sat on a bait for over 45 hours last year without taking a bear home, came back this year full of enthusiasm for a fresh hunt and shoots a 342 lb bear after one day into the hunt. We had one hunter go out for 1.5 hours and come back with his bear, yet another getting discouraged but not giving up hope, bags the biggest bear of the season on his last day of the hunt.
We are very proud of our husband/wife teams, brothers, cousins & friends all banding together at Wild Goose Lake Resort, entering as strangers-leaving as friends. Each hunter put forth a positive effort during their black bear hunt and ended the season on a successful note.
*please check PHOTO's-Hunting for bear pictures

Summer 2009

I am past due for writing news about this summers happenings at Wild Goose Lake Resort. Let me take you back to May. It was the evening of May 11 that the ice was finally off the lake. We worked quickly to get the main dock in the water and open up the cottages for our spring fishing enthusiasts. The last weekend in May we welcomed a Men's Fellowship Group from Longlac, ON. It was a pleasure to see so many men fishing, visiting and praising God.

June & July we welcomed back many families who have made Wild Goose Lake Resort their family holiday destination for many years. Fishing has been great and we held a fishing contest once again this year in June for all the 18 and under kids. Biggest Walleye caught by a girl was Cecilia Hook's 17.5' Catch. Biggest Walleye caught by a boy was Owen Thronson's 23' catch. Biggest Northern Pike was caught by Michael Pernsteiner. It was 26.5' long. All the young anglers did an awesome job and fun was had by all. T-shirts and certificates were awarded to the lucky winners.

This has been a spring/summer full of wildlife activity at the resort and surrounding areas. The bear population has grown and so has the need to bring back the spring bear hunt in Northern Ontario. We have been baiting the bears for a little over 4 weeks now gearing up for the bear hunters. Baits are being hit and we have began to use trail cams at some sites to learn the size and habits of the bear. Today Greg quaded over a hill and almost came nose to nose with the biggest black bear he has ever seen. Not sure who left the bigger pile on the road! If anyone is looking for a last minute black bear hunt, we still have a few tags available.

Moose have been visible on the edge of the bushes all spring. They are staying in the trees now but we see signs that they are near every time we venture down a back road. The ducks have returned and their babies are growing so quickly. Its nice to see them on the beach. Loons, eagles, and herons are among the birds we see daily.

Blue berries and wild raspberries are ready to be picked. Only a few more weeks before school starts up. We still have cottages available (with a 10% discount) for any summer holiday guests.

Until next time... your hosts at Wild Goose Lake Resort.

Happy Earth Day!

Here we are nearing the end of April and we are still getting snow. The uncertainty of the weather keeps us guessing what each new day will bring. It is nice to have the tempatures warming and we are looking forward to seeing the ice break up on the lake. The ducks and geese have begun to return and we find ourselves dreaming about fishing. In Ontario, fishing season opens up May long weekend.
Ontario residents, Canadian residents and Non-Canadian residents will all require an Outdoors Card this year for fishing and hunting. The cost of the card is $9.00. A fishing or hunting licence tag will also have to be purchaced if you are 18 or older. Remember to carry it with you at all times when fishing or hunting. If you wish to renew your Outdoors Card on-line or are a new applicant go to: http://outdoorscard.mnr.gov.on.ca/
We would like to send a special thank you to those who have made donations over the winter to the resort. The new shower heads, furniture & utensils (To name a few) are greatly appriciated.
If you are thinking of planing your vacation or weekend away, give us a call toll-free for prices and availability. 1-877-854-0316
Cottages will be open May long weekend. See you at the lake!

March - 2009

The long, cold winter days are almost past and we are looking forward to spring and opening up the resort in May.
We recently attended the Central Canada Outdoor Show at the Sport's Dome in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The attendance was great and we enjoyed visiting with everyone who stopped by our booth. We offered a free draw with three prizes. The winners of the draws are:

• 3rd Prize - Sweater (donated by Rugged Dude) - Mike Lee of Thunder Bay, ON
• 2nd Prize - Hooded Sweater - Mike Gushulak of Thunder Bay, ON
• 1st Prize - 3 Day Fishing Package - Nolan & Stephen Engstrom of Thunder Bay, ON

Congratulations to our lucky winners and thank you to everyone who entered the draw.

Just a quick note for those still trying to plan their hunting trips for this fall. We still have spaces available for bear hunters in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th week. We are fully booked for the first two weeks of rifle moose but are taking bookings for the third week. If anyone is looking for information on hunting regulations, border crossing questions, Non-Resident Firearm declaration form, etc. www.infonoth.net is a great site for information.

It is wonderful to see so many questions coming in from families and fishermen asking all about what we have to offer. We have a beautiful location and will do all we can to make your stay here an enjoyable and memorable time. We are looking forward to new and returning guests this spring. If you are looking for a place for your summer destination, check us out. Enjoy the beauty and tranquility that Northern Ontario has to offer.