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Hi and Welcome Back, Happy Campers! Today is April 19, 2020, and we are BACK UP AND RUNNING! Catfish Chris and TBT(The Black Torpedo) Magoo, from sunny but chilly northern North Dakota with updates for now!

As you know we are in the midst of the Corona Pandemic and there is no end in sight! Here in North Dakota our case numbers have doubled each of the last 3 days, and I wish I could say that I think they will peak soon, but locally people are not social distancing at all! For Magoo and me, we stay at home, or go for a ride to the woods or waters where there are no other humans, and while we are doing our part, we need EVERYONE to do his or her part, so YOU can get back to Happy Camp and enjoy the wilderness of the far North!

For 2020 opening day is still up in the air, border is closed until late May now. When that day comes, we will set a date for a get together and ALL are welcome. We may not have enough beds, but there is space on the floor, porch and decks for sleeping bags, so toss a bag in the truck and head up for a spell! All we ask is that you let us know how many of you are coming and what you will be bringing.

For instance, we’d loved to see Donna bringing 2 pans of her awesome cheesy potatoes, Sheriff Kern Hooch and his Pinochle cards, Henry, Bonnie, Buddy with their delicious salmon, Frenchi and Bev some wine and bread, Chris Denny with his guitar, the Schoner boys with their homemade maple syrup, Ray and his wings, and Seagull with his pan fried Moose tongue and so on and so forth. What about the dogs? Here come the Youngs pulling in in the middle of the night with their treats for the girls! One thing is for certain, we will need some fish, so Keith has offered to help catch and clean with me, and Jamie and Sadie are willing to fry them! Tartar sauce is for Jester, Don don’t forgot your teeth and Larry, well I think you can bring your smile, together with the brats and your favorite saying, “Awe Come On Man!!” It will be great to see everyone and share stories as I believe life will never be the same. If you are staying after Tuesday, bring a bottle of Beefeater Gin to store in the dishwasher in memory of my Grandma Schafer!

As you know the site is undergone changes and we hope for the better, time will tell. Happy Camp will undergo some changes as well and again we hope for the better. We are going to a limit of 2 walleye off of White Otter Lake per day for everyone, and we encourage everyone to let all Walleye over 20 inches and Pike over 34 inched back to swim for another day.

With that said, I hope to post more often from sunny but chilly North Dakota until we have a plan for 2020. You certainly can phone Magoo and me at 715-630-4444 or email us at getthenet@wi-net.com

Please take this serious, be safe and stay healthy. Take care and enjoy the Day!!

Hi and Merry Christmas Happy Campers!  Things are slowing down a little so I am taking a few moments to write a bit!  Hope everyone had a great Christmas and looking forward to a fantastic 2020!

Magoo has been cleared to hunt after a long rehab over the fall and hunting time.  We did get out a couple times and we were able to get a couple Pheasant and a Shaprtail.  But to see her work back and forth again is simply priceless, thank you Black Torpedo!

As any of the Happy Campers know, we look to improve all the time and we are now going to a Conservation Camp.  We will honor the conservation limit on White Otter Lake in our attempt to improve the size of the fish.  We all know how White Otter fishing has greatly improved, but we want to do our part in honoring the Conservation limits set forth by the MNR.  We are also hopeful that more Campers will venture out to other waters broadening their adventures.

In fact, in speaking of broadening our adventures, we are experimenting on a Winter hunt, and if it goes well, we plan on experimenting up at HCO.  Along with that, the Grouse numbers should start to rebound and there is always the waterfowl itch for Magoo and I.

We continue to search for more Bear hunt opportunities and we are hopeful to offer that in the late spring and fall.  Finally, the Moose tag situation continues to make many of us scratch our heads, and we will see what is set in stone when the MNR decides what to do.  Along with that, all of our cabins are booked for the Adult Rifle season and half for the Calf season, so if you want a spot, don’t delay, call or email today!

So for 2020, we have some spots left for fishing and Bear hunting and we are hopeful to adventure out ourselves as the new well should provide us water for a 100 years or so!  Soon we will be gathering items to head north to the serene wilderness where the Loon’s sing nightly, the stars shine just a little brighter, the sun warms your back and the wind cools you with a summer breeze.

Thank you for continuing to make Happy Camp our special place and it would not be the same without all of you Happy Campers, we look forward to Old and New faces that venture north!

Whatcha waiting for, shoot us an email or call us today to chat or save your time to Come and Catch the Good Life with us at Happy Camp Ontario!

Happy New Year!!

Good Day and Happy Thanksgiving Happy Campers!  It has been a very interesting 2019 to say the least.  As I sit with the Black Torpedo at my feet,  the Turkey is stuck with marinade and soon it will go into the oven, wonder how it will turn out as I have never cooked a domestic Turkey(haha).  I guess if it is not good, then Magoo will have a full tummy.

Speaking of Magoo, she is recovering well from her surgery and if all goes well, she will be cleared to hunt December 7.  As of right now, we have little snow but it appears that will be over with the expected 14 plus inches on the way in the coming days. But for today, it is merely strong NE winds putting it below zero.  But off to the woods we need to go to pull out the stand, and make a few more stops along the way.  The ice is starting to form here and we have had to replace some toys that were taken this summer.

Speaking of summer, we went through many struggles with water but we now have great water after finding the crew from Kap.  They showed up in Mid August and got right to work.  Down the drill went, 25, 30, 50 feet, nothing.  70, 95, 122, nothing but a trickle.  AWE COME ON MAN, what’s up with that!  Phone rings while Bear hunting with the news, a deep sigh but what you gonna do right, keep digging!

We finish up our sit for the night, no bears and head back to camp.  We trudge into the lodge, sit down to hear what is next.  After I spoke to the driller, they went back at it.  130, 145, 160, nothing, ugh!  178, 182 nothing, then 183, THAR SHE BLOWS!  Water straight from China and a great vein too!  Water shooting up into the pipe with no pump, how can that be?   Our water issues are over, YAHOO!!!

As we look to 2020 and beyond, we will be focusing on HCO, nature and how we can give back as we firmly believe to leave what we have better than we have it.  With that said, we hope to venture all over the place and make more memories and hope you come along for the ride.  Other than most of our Moose spots reserved, we have time for you to come and visit and create your own Adventure.

Time to head to the woods, stay tuned for more changes along the way.  From the HCO Crew, Thank you, Take care and Happy Holidays!

Thank you to all of our Veteran’s who provide for our freedom!  We know that Freedom does not come free  and thank you all you do!

Happy Camp is closed for the season, and 2019 was one for the books, look for changes in the coming year!

Thank you Veteran’s!

Cool, clear water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi everyone.  The head scratching, roller coaster ride continues here at Happy Camp.  From the weather to the water and meetings and beyond, sometimes I wonder if I will have any hair left by the end of the year.

The weather certainly has been interesting here, but from what we understand also most of the Midwest as well.  Late yesterday we did see a drop in humidity and temps, today it is in the 70’s breezy and low humidity, hope this lasts!  We did receive a little rain, but much more is needed.

Fishing has been a little slower last week, fishermen caught walleye, perch and pike had a few to eat and to take home.  Mayflies seemed to have slacked off a bit, maybe they are done for the year?  One Baby Eagle is in the nest on the north end of the lake along with Osprey’s flying the lake frequently.

The few blueberries we have found are small, most dont look like they will make it.  We have one more spot to check out, perhaps that will be good, time will tell.  In our last venture, we did see a Moose on the shore as well as 4 adult Loons swimming and fishing the lake nearby.

Bear Baiting is going well and the new type of baiting appears to be paying off, again time will tell but the hunt is only a few weeks away, where does time go?

If you are coming up for an adventure, take it easy on the Fry Road, they are hauling on there, so it is a bit rough.  Philip Creek Road is rough as well and they are busy cutting near the middle, so take it easy there too folks.

Thats it for now Happy Campers, someone’s knocking on the door!  Take care be Safe Everyone!

Hi, Happy Campers.  An extremely busy and roller coaster year up at camp, definitely interesting to say the least.  Finally early this morning we are getting some rain.  First rain in a couple of weeks and only the 3rd rain since we got up here in early June!

Happy Campers are filling the area, fishing and playing in the woods and water and the smell of fresh fish fry and batches of hot Pennsylvania french fries abound in camp.  On the lake the mayflies are hatching in earnest, Loon and Eagles have their nests and young coming along nicely.  Recently some Whiskey Jacks have appeared and this morning 2 were sitting on the north steps waiting for breakfast.  So, Magoo, Sadie and I got some bread, went out and broke it for them on the Bumble Stump.  Those Jacks are certainly social birds and are eating off the stump as I write this update.

Out in the bush we have tussled with the Beaver often, cleaning out dams so we can Bear bait, hopefully the trapper will get in there soon, not soon enough for Magoo and me!  During our travels, quite a lot Moose have been seen, in fact one Vet who came for the Healing Patriots week, has pictures of 2 calf Moose swimming in a pond.  In addition, some Happy Campers have been able to see Moose swimming, eating and getting away from bugs on the shores of a local lake.  Bear numbers seem to be up, none in camp, but again during our travels many have been seen including twins and triplet cubs with their momma’s.  Grouse are few and far between but a few babies are starting to appear.

Due to the late spring and now lack of rain, it appears the berry crop will be poor at best.  Strawberries in camp are just starting to color up, raspberries look meager, and the blueberry crop in our area looks poor.  Perhaps things will change, time will tell.

One great crop again is the bugs, from Black Flies to Mosquitos, Horse and Deer Flies, they never cease to amaze us but a Huge crop of Dragon Flies are trying their best to help out.

Many Campers have come to camp, many more to come, new friends have been welcomed.  A special shout out to Marcel and Kevin(Bones), your help, guidance and persistence have been nothing short of fantastic!  In the coming weeks we will continue to shuffle in and out of the Happy Camp Region for fishing, hunting and relaxing in the beautiful Canadian wilderness.

Well folks, campers are up rumbling around, so I will too.  Thanks for everything you do, if you are looking for a spot to come and rest your head, shoot us a message or give us a call to save your spot and Come and Catch the Good Life with Us at Happy Camp Ontario!

After a couple of nights of hearing late night pitter patters in the lodge, one man braved the situation to explore today. We are happy to report that a mother flying squirrel and her three darling babies are safe and back living in the bush!!!

Hi Happy Campers, welcome to 2019!  Soon the camp will be alive with campers from all over North America.  A few updates as you start your travels to the north.

Sadly, Agawa gifts at Pancake Bay has closed their doors.  That was always a great spot to stop for fuel, ice cream, gifts or smoked fish.  Guess we will have to look for another spot, any ideas?

Road construction is along highway 17 scattered at bridges as in the past, there were 3 stoppings as of June 5.  Additionally, Highway 2 east of Manistique, Michigan has some construction issues.

Travel along the gravel from Manitouwadge or highway 11 is rough.  While we had a lot of snow, the roads are washed out in spots so take it easy and you will be fine.  The logging crews are hauling on Philip Creek as well as west of Happy Camp close to Ramsey Lake.

We got up late Tuesday and the temps were at freezing.  While winter was kind to the cabins this year, the cold is still raising havoc with our water issues and we are working hard to get that all up and running!  Lake levels are starting to recede, the dock should be put in next week.  While it was cold early this week, today is windy and warm, mid to upper 80’s now.

We did get a chance to do some fishing, fish are scattered, some lakes are better than others.  With the heat will come the Mayfly and other bug explosions.  Speaking of bugs, the Black flies and Mosquitos are awesome already!

Many Moose and Bear sightings in the area already, we have a couple of Sows with 2 cubs and a handful of Moose.  Some Loons have made it back.

We look forward to seeing all of you either for the first or 8th time, it is always a pleasure and have room for a few more Happy Campers, so if you are looking for an awesome adventure in the Ontario wilderness, give us a call or shoot us an email today to save your spot and Come and Catch the Good Life with Us at Happy Camp Ontario!  Take care everyone.

Brrrr and Good Morning Happy Campers!  It is -50 this morning in Northern North Dakota, quite a wild ride so far this winter and it is only early February!  But alas, soon the sun will melt the snow and we will be gearing up for Happy Camp 2019, and hope you are too!

As we look to the new year, we are excited about the wilderness, fishing, hunting and most of all seeing Happy Campers again!  Some old friends have made their reservations as well as the Patriots and Bowlers will be coming to enjoy the wilderness.  With much snow already, there is excitement for the spring thaw to bring water for the birds, bears, berries and fish to make their wonderful journey to their spawning grounds!

As noted on our lodging page, our rates will be $250 per person per week.  As of now, other prices will remain the same.   As many of you know, we appreciate our freedoms and all that we have as US citizens and realize that freedom is not free.  So with that, all veterans (US and Canadian) will receive a 25% discount on their weeks stay at Happy Camp.  As you know our customer service is second to none and we will do our very best to make your stay the most memorable one ever!

Additionally, we have had some inquiries for duck and wolf hunting, as well as ice fishing and snowmobile lodging.  I have reached out to the OFSC to inquire about the old trails that connected Happy Camp to Hornepayne and Longlac, but that is slow in going!  If any of you have ideas of how to get this going, give us a shout!  As I see it, a winter wonderland makes much water accessible that is next to impossible during the summer months.  Many interesting items to ponder and just got off the phone with someone from the Indianapolis Sport show in hopes we would come and show this year, sorry not in the cards for 2019 but maybe in the future.

Happy Camp has been in much discussion with the MNR on many issues to include the fishery,  Bear, Land and Law Management.  We have interesting news to share with you on 2 of those issues and hopefully will on all 3 by the time we see you up in the Happy Camp area this year!

So time to shove off for today’s adventure and just like Happy Camp, never know what the day holds!  As of now, some of our fishing weeks are full and we have a couple of Bear hunt spots left.  Moose hunt has 1 spot left for the last week.

2019 is full of twists and turns, laughs and excitement at Happy Camp, so shoot us a message or call today to discuss your spot to Come and Catch the Good Life with us at Happy Camp Ontario!!