Snowshoeing with the Cree in Ouje-Bougoumou, Quebec
Northern lights. Frozen bogs. Wolves howling. Welcome to Eeyou Istchee, the land of the Cree.
Northern lights. Frozen bogs. Wolves howling. Welcome to Eeyou Istchee, the land of the Cree.
| Date(s) | Price(s) |
|---|---|
| March 23-30, 2024 | $4500 per person |
During this trip, we travel by snowshoe to visit some bush camps of our Cree guides, David and Anna Bosum. They join us to share their vast knowledge of hunting, trapping, and fishing. You can help set a fish net under the ice, trap beaver, and set snares for snowshoe hare. And you can try country food such as fresh walleye, moose, beaver, bear, or goose. This is a very rare, rich cultural experience! Anna and David represent the last generation of Cree subsistence hunters and trappers who grew up on the land, in the bush. When their generation is gone, you will never again have the opportunity to experience their way of life. To view a trip itinerary, click here.
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For trip itinerary, click here
Our trips are conducted in a very safety conscious way. We spend time prepping the trails before a trip by removing branches and blown down trees.
We go out before a trip to check the ice if we are planning to go on the lake by using an ice chisel to find out the thickness of the ice. We often mark our trails with fir boughs so we can find our old base in case of snow storms.
There is always a snowmobile available in case of an emergency so someone could be evacuated from the bush immediately if need be.
We carry a couple fire starters at all times, a satellite phone and two-way radios for communication among the guides and snowmobile support drivers. We do check in calls once or twice a day to Mahoosuc’s home base so any emergencies from people’s homes can be relayed on to them on the trail.
We always carry a first aid kit with us.
If weather or trails are unsafe for any reason we can always adjust our itinerary to continue to conduct a safe and enjoyable experience for our guests.
Our trips are alcohol free for both guests and guides.
Our trips are conducted in a very safety conscious way. We spend a lot of time prepping the trails before a trip by removing branches and blown down trees, packing the trails by snowmobile once we get snow. This is for the guest’s comfort and also to make it easier for the dogs to pull the sleds.
We go out before a trip to check the ice if we are planning to go on the lake by using an ice chisel to find out the thickness of the ice. We often mark our trails with fir boughs so we can find our old base in case of snow storms.
All of our trips are snowmobile supported so we can lighten the loads the dogs are pulling, provide a better trail and also have a snow vehicle in the case of an emergency.
We carry spare warm clothing, the ability to start fires in all conditions, and a satellite phone and two-way radios for communication among the dog sledding guides, cross country ski guides and snowmobile support drivers. We do check in calls once or twice a day to Mahoosuc’s home base so any emergencies from people’s homes can be relayed on to them on the trail.
We always carry a first aid kit for both humans and canines. Guides maintain current Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder and CPR certification.
If weather or trails are unsafe for any reason we can always adjust our itinerary to continue to conduct a safe and enjoyable experience for our guests and our canine friends.
Our trips are alcohol free for both guests and guides.
Arrive to Mahoosuc Guide Service by 7 p.m. for outfitting meeting.
Early departure to Ouje Bougoumou, Quebec. Arrival in Ouje-Bougoumou. Meet David & Anna Bosum. Stay over at Cultural Site.
Have a “country food” supper.
Tour of village, meet elders and/or craftspeople (opportunity to purchase crafts). Possible visits to school, nursing station, corporate offices, museum, community center.
Start bush trip a.m. travel approximately 3 miles by snowshoe to camp that is already set up. Winter camping skills.
Set fish nets, snares (snow shoe hare and grouse), traps (for beaver) and check them.
Bush skills with David and Anna including Cree bush medicine.
Helping with whatever they are working on; scraping or smoking a moose hide, fleshing hides, carving snow scoops, making moose mocassins.
Stories of the Cree bush life.
Travel back to village by snowshoe. Stay at Cultural Site, have an evening meal at Cappissett Lodge.
Say good-byes and travel back home.
Deposits are non-refundable. From 0-14 days before trip starts, no money is refundable. Within 14-30 days before the trip starts, money is non-refundable, but you may apply the amount to another trip for one year (on a space available basis) minus your deposit. If you cancel within 14 days of the starting date, money is non-transferable and non-refundable. We go in all conditions including rain and thaws. If extreme weather conditions prevent you from traveling to Maine for your trip, you may use the full amount less the deposit for another trip for one year from the trip starting date. You may wish to purchase vacation insurance to cover this possibility. If you have to cancel due to Covid related issues we will not be able to give a refund, but will lock in the price of the trip and give a 2 year credit to be used toward any of our trips.
We only cancel a trip for safety reasons (i.e. flooding, bad ice, extreme windchill or lack of conditions – not enough snow or ice.) For canoe trips we may need to cancel due to safety issues such as extremely high or low water on rivers. If we need to cancel, we try to reschedule people to another trip. If we need to cancel for safety or lack of conditions you may choose to use the full amount toward another Mahoosuc trip for 2 years, or receive a 50% refund and apply the other half to a Mahoosuc trip for 2 years.
If you are having any symptoms of Covid before your trip please test yourself before arriving at Mahoosuc Guide Service and if positive contact us to reschedule your trip.
Mushing can be physically demanding. We cannot predict trail conditions as they change daily, sometimes hourly. You should be in good physical condition for an overnight dog sledding trip. The dogs are strong; however, there are limits to their pulling ability. Therefore, we ask individuals who weigh over 215 lbs. to contact us prior to sending in their reservation form.
For canoeing trips sometimes there are portages around falls and we need to carry all of our gear and canoes around them. The better shape you are in will make these carries easier for you.
Tips are appropriate for your guides. If you feel you would like to recognize how hard they worked to provide a safe and reliable trip for you. A common amount is 5% – %10 of your trip cost. At Mahoosuc we split tips evenly among whoever is working on the trip unless people want certain amounts to go directly to certain guides. In this case they should give it to them individually.
Lonnie Boy! Star of the Show! The Prancing Man! But, not always so…. A bit of a drag when growing up – “It’s hard to pay attention to work when you are such a clown. But that was in my teen years. Once i got beyond that – I was King!” Wherever Polly wanted to go was where I went. There was nothing I liked better than to lead. My prancing gait was my hallmark. It showed the way I felt about my life. I loved it! What a gift it was for me to have Polly teach me how to lead. I returned the gift with my devotion and fun-loving spirit. We were a team!!! We will always be close in spirit.
