Partner Story - Michel Therrien: Three unforgettable outfitter experiences

Three unforgettable outfitter experiences

Over the past 25 years, wildlife and outfitter territories have brought me all sorts of fabulous adventures and memorable times. Below are three experiences that will forever be etched in my memory.

Fishing with caribou antlers!

hile giving a talk, I was handling a caribou antler when all of a sudden a true woodsman idea popped into my head. Off the cuff, I remarked that I had just discovered a prehistoric ice fishing tip-up.

When I got to Pourvoirie du Lac BervalThis link will open in a new window, I was really feeling up for the challenge of trying it out. So I tied on a Micro Jig Atomic Teaser with a small piece of worm at the end of the line. Call it luck if you like, but I caught six speckled trout in no time with my “antler rod.”

Later that day, Marc-André Chenail and Claudia Racine, the outfitter managers, dropped by to take some photos in front of our cozy fishing cabin. The atmosphere was laid-back—until Yannick, supposedly the best angler in the group, lost a massive rainbow trout that broke his line clean off. Very generously, I offered him my “antler rod,” but for some reason he didn’t take me up on it…

Fast-forward to April 26—the opening of fishing season—and I was back at the outfitter. That’s when Yannick got his revenge, landing the most stunning brown trout I’ve ever seen. That sure helped him forget about the lost rainbow trout!

From the Children’s Hospital to a hunting blind

In July 2021, I spoke on the phone with Éloi Cormier, a 16-year-old who was just about to have high-risk neurosurgery—his third in eight years. Before hanging up, I made him a promise: “Four months from now, we’ll be calling in your first moose together. Stay strong! I’m with you on this!” That conversation hit me hard. I went for a run to clear my head and to wait for an update on his surgery. I ran and ran until I saw a bright moon rise in the sky. I took it as a sign.

A few months later, Joël—Éloi’s father—briefed me on his son’s post-surgery limitations and also on how eager Éloi was to go hunting with us. I immediately reached out to Alexandre Lavoie from Club des Trois CastorsThis link will open in a new window in Charlevoix. A father of two himself, Alexandre was moved by the story and ready to take on the challenge. He had just built a brand-new hunting blind in a beautiful clearing with his sons.

Meanwhile, Éloi got medical clearance to join us in the woods. Once on-site, we quickly spotted fresh tracks. I suggested a plan to Éloi and his dad: I’d position myself in a stand of spruce trees and call to attract a moose in front of the blind. Simple enough, right? Not exactly. Given Éloi’s physical limitations, the shot would be tricky. As the day was drawing to a close, we heard a loud crack right behind the blind. A moose was responding to our call, and its footsteps were getting closer and closer. Then I saw its head emerge from the conifers. At that moment, I glanced up and saw a bright moon—just like the one on my run a few months earlier. Another sign. Then came the shot, followed by our cheers, which rang throughout the woods.

A few tears of joy were shed that night in the beautiful clearing under the glow of that special moon . . . the moment was beyond powerful! On the way back, Joël and Éloi sent a message to the Children’s Hospital neurosurgeon who had cleared him for the hunt: “Éloi just called in and bagged a moose. Looks like your surgery was a success!”

Grouse and moose at Menjo

After a busy fall, my friend and guide Keven Léonard wanted to introduce me to his friends, the owners of Pourvoirie MenjoThis link will open in a new window. He wanted me to enjoy a relaxing moose hunting trip, free of responsibilities and with no cameras. That’s my kind of vacation! By mid-October, most hunters in the Laurentians were saying that calling season was over. Keven and I weren’t so sure.

For the first two days, I held off on calling in order to give a motivated hunter in our group a better chance. Later that day, at around 3:30, I spotted fresh rubs—barely longer than a pencil. I don’t remember if I only rattled or threw in a few calls, but at 4:55, a beautiful buck stepped into view. My 308 Browning was ready, and the shot was right on target.

The next day, Keven lent me an old 12-gauge shotgun. As we rounded a bend in the trail, we stumbled upon a covey of grouse. You can guess what happened next!

If you ever stop by the lodge at this outfitter, just look up when you walk in—you’ll see the antlers of that majestic moose proudly on display. It earned its place there.

About Michel Therrien

Michel Therrien has been working in outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing for over 25 years. In 2023, he received the Harfang des Neiges award in the Builder category. Michel has a knack for reinventing himself, notably through his involvement with the younger generation and in promoting sustainable harvesting practices. He is also the founder of the Chasse Québec team.

 

Written by Michel Therrien