 
THE HALTE DU PÈLERIN Spy on the Peregrine Falcon and be dazzled by its amazing exploits.
The Halte du pèlerin (Peregrine Falcon Stopover) borders Allée d'Ormes, near the cliff that has been welcoming a breeding pair of Peregrine Falcons since 1986. It is equipped with a telescope and three self-guided signs (April to October). Visitors can help gather data on the falcons’ activities by completing an observation sheet that’s available at the Interpretation Centre.
Interpretive activities are provided for school groups (primary and secondary), as well as for the general public.
 | RAPTOR OBSERVATORY
The Raptor Observatory, located near the Léon-Provancher Souvenir Shop, faces the cliff at Cap Tourmente and allows visitors to learn about these fascinating birds. There are telescopes for visitors and a series of three self-guided interpretive signs on raptors, as well as tips on how to identify birds in flight. | THE HISTORICAL TOUR: UNCOVERING THE PAST…
After being used for farming for almost 400 years, the land at Cap Tourmente is now a nature conservation area and conservation heritage site.
Come and discover the National Wildlife Area’s rich historical past by taking a self-guided historical tour: Uncovering the past... Many inhabitants shaped the history of Cap Tourmente. Take a captivating walk back in time and learn more about those inhabitants, by following a path marked by thirteen posts.
An information booklet containing numerous plans and photographs can be had at the Interpretation Centre. | 
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| THE BIRD FEEDER NETWORK
Freshly fallen snow, snow-laden coniferous trees and frost-covered landscapes are part of the winter wonderland at Cap Tourmente. Each bird feeder in the National Wildlife Area has a surprise for novice ornithologists. Many bird species frequent Cap Tourmente in the winter, making walks along the six kilometres of hiking trails on hard-packed snow a veritable feast for the eyes. The Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area’s bird feeder network is unique in the region, because of its spectacular setting, the number and variety of bird species that perch at bird feeders, and its high-quality maintenance. Almost 30 avian species faithfully alight on twelve feeding stations.
During your walk, stop at one of our two heated cabins, where a team of volunteers will welcome you and prepare hot beverages free of charge.
We ask that you leave your dogs at home in order to keep the trails and bird feeder network clean and safe and to avoid scaring off the birds.
WINTER 2009
Trails are accessible weekdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Vehicles must leave the National Wildlife Area by 4 p.m.) Take in activities at the Forge and the Érablière cabin on weekends, from January 10 to March 8, 2009, and during the Rallye de la Relâche (spring break rally, March 2 to March 6).
Map of hard-packed snow trails (PDF) |
 Trails
Hiking enthusiasts will marvel at all the hiking possibilities! A network of almost 20 kilometres of hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty gradually introduces you to the quieting beauty of nature (open from mid-May to late October).
Six kilometres of trails are accessible during the winter and feature 12 bird feeding stations (open from early January to mid-March). Trails | Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Moqueur-chat | 0.4 km | Easy | Bois-sent-bon | 1.0 km | Easy  | Souchet | 1.2 km | Easy | Écart | 1.3 km | Easy | Carouge | 1.5 km | Easy | Allée d’ormes | 3.1 km | Easy | Petit-Sault | 3.3 km | Easy | Cédrière | 3.0 km | Intermediate | Pierrier | 3.8 km | Intermediate | Érablière | 4.6 km | Intermediate | Aulnaie | 5.3 km | Intermediate
(winter only) | Prucheraie | 5.0 km | Intermediate | Falaise | 4.1 km | Difficult | Piedmont | 6.9 km | Difficult | Cime* | 9.2 km | Difficult
(closed after 3 p.m.) |
All distances are round-trip.
* Connects with the Caps de Charlevoix trail (from late May to late October).
English Trail Map
| LOOKOUTS | | |  Falaise (cliff) – 150-m elevation
Cime (forest crown) – 450-m elevation |
| OBSERVATION STATIONS | | | Halte du Pèlerin
Bois-sent-bon
Observation Tower
Raptor Observatory |
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|  QUADRICYCLE RENTAL
This totally green mode of transportation is an ideal way to discover Cap Tourmente and Saint Joachim as a family or couple or with friends. Young and old will have a whale of time on our quadricycles.
Follow the New France Route (Route de la Nouvelle-France) around Petit Cap and discover natural, cultural and historical heritage sites along this 14-km bike route. Take the self-guided Archeovision tour that will guide you through the region’s 400 years of history. Enjoy a tasty break and savour wine and cheese at the Domaine Royarnois Winery, visit the Saint-Joachim church – one of Quebec’s most magnificent and oldest churches that has been classified a historic monument –, meet historical figures at the Centre d’Initiation au Patrimoine - La Grande Ferme. Along the route you’ll find several marshes and rest areas.
Quadricycles can be rented daily from mid-June until October, at the Des Amis Snack Bar/ Souvenir Shop at the Léon-Provancher Pavilion. | | HOURLY RATE
One hour minimum | | | Two-seater | $14.95 | $44.95 | | Four-seater | $19.95 | $59.95 |
Rates for the 2008 season.
Rates subject to change without notice.
GROUP SERVICES
Groups seeking greater guidance can obtain customized activities, as well as the services of a naturalist. The conduct and content of these activities are determined with the client, in order to better meet their needs.
An hourly fee of $60 per naturalist will be added to the National Wildlife Area’s entry fee.3# |
| LÉON-PROVANCHER SNACK BAR/SOUVENIR SHOP |  | The National Wildlife Area’s Souvenir Shop is brimming with birding and wildlife viewing products. Grab a bite to eat in the cosy dining area which features a tasty menu!
If you prefer, purchase sandwiches and beverages at the Snack Bar and enjoy them in the picnic area while watching a multitude of birds feed at well-filled bird feeders.
Open from mid-April until late October
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PICNIC AREAS
There are picnic tables and shelters near the Interpretation Centre and the Léon-Provancher Pavilion.
The Interpretation Centre, Léon-Provancher Pavilion and certain trails are accessible to mobility-impaired visitors.  The Association des amis du cap Tourmente and the Canadian Wildlife Service rent out meeting rooms in the Petite-Ferme, an ideal place for business meetings in a breathtaking rural setting.
Room rental information
To reserve a meeting room or for more information, contact:
Bernard Paré
(418) 827-5527
info@captourmente.com | |
 Snow goose hunting is intended to protect the bulrush marsh where the greater snow geese feed and to help reduce the greater snow goose population, which scientists consider an overabundant species. Click here for biological information on the Greater Snow Goose.
A TRADITION
Snow goose hunting has long been a tradition at Cap Tourmente. In the early 20th century, some sections of the area, which at the time belonged to the Séminaire de Québec, were rented out to private hunting clubs. When the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) acquired Cap Tourmente in 1969, it cancelled the leases the Séminaire had concluded with those clubs. In 1972, the CWS re-established snow goose hunting under a controlled hunt program that is open to all Canadian hunters. TYPES OF HUNTING
The CWS has been operating its hunt program since 1972 in the same way that the private hunting clubs once did. A horse-drawn sleigh was, and still is, the best way to access low-tide blinds. The CWF added the self-guided hunt to its hunt program in 1985. This hunt takes place in the National Wildlife Area’s western sector, where the flat is narrower. Hunters access the low-tide blinds on foot. TRADITIONAL HUNTING PACKAGE
The Traditional Hunting Package for four hunters provides transportation by horse-drawn sleigh to the hunting grounds. The package, which includes two half-days with guide services, costs $790, taxes included. SELF-GUIDED HUNTING PACKAGE
The Self-guided Hunting Package for four hunters costs $430 for two half-days, taxes included.
The following services are offered to hunters: decoy loans, high tide blinds, transportation of equipment to the hunting grounds and storage of geese.
GREATER SNOW GOOSE HUNT REGISTRATION
To obtain entry forms for the draw, call 1-877-809-0137 or send an e-mail to:
chasse-hunt.captourmente@ec.gc.ca
For additional information, call 418-827-3776, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Hunters can register for the traditional hunting package or the self-guided hunting package, or both. All entry forms must be submitted by April 30, 2008. The registration fee is $8 for each type of hunt. Registration fees are non-refundable. One registration per person only. Winning hunters will be notified by telephone in mid-May, in the order in which their names were drawn.
2008 ENTRY FORM
Registration Deadline: April 30, 2008
Download the 2008 Entry Form (PDF)
The Entry Form is in legal document format (8.5 x 14 inches).
For Canadian residents only. | HUNTING GROUNDS | | | 5 blinds or four hunters for the traditional hunt
6 blinds for four hunters for the self-guided hunt
Increased size of the no-hunting areas
10 blinds next to the no-hunting areas
More and better decoys provided
| 14 days for the traditional hunt and 17 days for the self-guided hunt | | | during the best hunting period |
Possible daily hunt after the main hunting program
Lure crops |
Detailed map of the National Wildlife Area's Hunting Territory | 
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