Some of the best moose hunting opportunities in North America are right here in Ontario. This is especially true if you’re looking for a true backcountry experience. With large moose populations, and vast areas of remote wilderness, it’s a destination where serious hunters can get off the grid and focus on the hunt.
A fly-in moose hunt in a remote part of Ontario combines challenge, reward, and the kind of quiet you won’t anywhere else. That’s exactly the experience we aim to offer at Mattice Lake Outfitters, located in remote Armstrong Station, Ontario. Regardless of your experience level, you’ll find this setting perfectly conducive to successful moose hunting.
Why Hunt Moose in Ontario
There are quite a few reasons why hunters travel to Ontario each fall. Moose numbers are strong, the landscape is wild and largely untouched, and in many areas, there’s very little hunting pressure. If you’re flying into a remote camp, chances are you won’t see anything hunting party for the duration of your trip. That kind of solitude gives you a better shot at seeing game and let’s focus fully on the hunt.
The size of the moose here is another draw. Ontario bulls are big-bodied and well-developed, often weighing as much as 1,000 pounds. The appeal for hunters isn’t just about harvesting a large animal, it’s about the experience that goes along with it. Long glassing sessions, calling from shorelines, covering ground in the wee hours of the morning—this all adds up to a rewarding and memorable trip.
Best Time to Plan Your Hunt
Ontario’s moose hunting season typically runs from mid-September through late October, depending on the zone and whether you’re hunting with a bow or rifle. Many hunters will time their trips to coincide with the rut, when bulls are more responsive to calling and more likely to show themselves in the daylight hours.
For bowhunters, early season offers more predictable patterns as moose ease into pre-rut behavior. Rifle hunters tend to aim for peak rut, which is essentially mating season for moose. This is when bulls are actively seeking cows and may cover more ground during daylight. The rut usually peaks in late September or early October, but local conditions can shift things slightly from year to year.
Late-season hunts, closer to the end of October, can also be productive. Bulls are often tired and hungry after the rut, so they may linger longer in feeding areas during the day. However, colder temperatures and snow may make travel a bit more challenging, especially if you’re hunting in rugged terrain or along shorelines.
When you work with a group like Mattice Lake Outfitters, timing your trip around tag availability and what kind of hunt you’re looking for—archery or rifle—can help narrow down the best window.
Where You’ll Be Hunting: The Wilderness of Northwestern Ontario
When you think of the ideal place to hunt moose, Northwestern Ontario checks all the boxes. Dense forest, winding rivers, marshy lowlands, and isolated lakes all lakes all provide the kind of terrain moose prefer and the kind of country that’s best reached by floatplane. With no road access, these areas see minimal hunting, giving you a better chance at spotting game and having a successful hunt.
Mattice Lake Outfitters operates in these remote zones, flying hunters into outpost cabins that sit on some of the most productive moose habitat in the region. These aren’t large lodges or crowded camps. They’re small, private cabins tucked away at the edge of a lake where you’ll be the only ones hunting the surrounding territory. It’s quiet, it’s remote, and it’s set up to give you the best possible access to the backcountry.
Understanding Moose Behavior
Getting a moose in your sights starts with knowing how they move and when they move. Moose tend to be the most active during early mornings and evening hours, especially when temperatures are cool. They spend most of their time near water sources and in areas with dense cover, feeding on aquatic plants, shrubs, and young trees.
During the rut, bull moose cover a lot more ground and become more vocal and responsive to calling. That’s why many hunters rely heavily on moose calls to spark a reaction and draw a bull in. Outside of the rut, scouting and spotting play a bigger role, and hunters may need to travel farther each day to find fresh signs and locate movement.
Because moose don’t typically stick to one tight area, it’s important to be flexible. You might start by glassing shorelines or paddling across a lake at first light, then move inland to track or call from a ridge. The more time you spend learning the land and reading signs, the better odds you have as the days go on.
What You’ll Need to Bring
Packing well for a remote moose hunt is critical. You won’t have access to town if you forget something, and the terrain demands gear that can handle wet, cold, and unpredictable conditions. You’ll want a reliable rifle or bow, quality optics, warm layers, waterproof clothing, and sturdy boots. Personal items like a headlamp, GPS, game bags, and a quality sleeping bag should all be on your list.
Choosing the Right Outfitter
The outfitter you choose will play a big role in how your trip goes. From transportation and lodging to tag access and local knowledge, a good outfitter ensures you can focus on hunting—not logistics. Look for an outfitter with experience, access to quality territory, and a good track record with moose hunters. If you’re weighing your options or trying to decide what really matters when choosing an outfitter, it’s worth taking the time to understand what separates the good ones from the rest. Here at Mattice Lake Outfitters, we take service to the next level by storing the moose you take down in our cooler for the duration of your stay.
Licensing, Tags & Legal Requirements
Here in Ontario, we have a regulated moose hunting system to manage population health and hunting pressure. As a non-resident, you’re required to hunt through a licensed outfitter and must have the proper license and tag before heading into the field. Your outfitter with typically help you secure an adult validation tag—either bull or cow—and walk you through the rest of the process. If you’re new to the Ontario licensing system or unsure how the tag allocation works, there’s a straightforward process you can follow to make sure everything’s in place before you fly in.
A Typical Day in Camp
Life at a remote moose camp follows a simple rhythm. Mornings start early, with glassing, calling, or paddling out to a promising area just before first light. Most hunters stay out through mid-morning, then return to camp for lunch or a quick rest before heading back out for the evening hours.
After sunset, you’ll return to the cabin to cook meals, share stories, and review the day’s game sign. Camps tend to be set up for both comfort and function, with some being rustic and others more modern. The exact accommodations you get will depend on what outfitter you choose.
Here at Mattice Lake Outfitters, our guest cabins feature kitchens equipped with a full-sized refrigerator, a full-size gas range, microwave, automatic coffee maker, toaster, pots, pans, and dishes. There’s a gas barbecue on each deck and the cabins have potable water from drilled wells and WiFi. They’re a welcome place to return to after a long day in the bush.
What Sets Mattice Lake Outfitters Apart
We’re not just an outfitter, we’re your ride into the heart of moose country. Our floatplanes give us access to some of the most remote and productive hunting zones in Northwest Ontario. We operate a network of well-maintained outpost cabins on exclusive lakes, meaning you won’t be competing with other groups or large crowds.
Every trip we run is backed by decades of experience. We do everything from helping you plan and pack to coordinating licenses and tags in an effort to help you focus on the hunt, not the details. We want to ensure you have the kind of experience that brings hunters back again and again.
Planning a moose hunt in Ontario is no small task, but we think you’ll find it’s worth every bit of the effort. The landscape, the challenge, and the solitude all come together to create a trip that’s hard to match anywhere else. With the right preparation and the right outfitter, you’ll be ready to take on the wilderness and give yourself the best chance at success.
Here at Mattice Lake Outfitters, we believe we’re the right choice for you. We’ll help ensure your moose hunting trip goes as smoothly as possible. Call us toll free at 1-800-411-0334 or email us at mattice@walleye.ca to begin planning your trip today!
[TN1]Will link to topic cluster 2
[TN3]Will link to topic cluster 3