View source for Zec Owen

{{Infobox protected area
| name = Zec Owen
| alt_name =
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| map = Quebec
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Province of Quebec
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| location = [[Canada]], [[Quebec]], [[Témiscouata Regional County Municipality]]
| nearest_city = [[Dégelis, Quebec|Dégelis]]
| coords = {{coord|47|41|N|68|29|W|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref = <ref>{{Cite web
| url = http://www.toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/ToposWeb/fiche.aspx?no_seq=121201
| title = Toponym: Zec Owen
| author = Gouvernement du Québec - Commission de toponymie du Québec
| access-date = August 3, 2014
}}</ref>
| area = {{convert|615|km2}}<ref>{{Cite web
|url=http://www.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/faune/territoires/zec.jsp
|title=Zones d'exploitation contrôlée (controlled harvesting area)
|author=Gouvernement du Québec
|access-date= August 3, 2014
}}</ref>
| designation =
| authorized =
| created =
| established = 1978
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| governing_body = Fédération chasse pêche Owen
| administrator =
| operator =
| owner =
| world_heritage_site =
| website = Zec Owen
| url = http://www.zecowen.com/
| child =
| embedded =
}}
The '''ZEC Owen''' is a "[[zone d'exploitation contrôlée]]" (controlled harvesting zone) (ZEC) in the municipality of [[Lejeune, Quebec|Lejeune]] in the [[Témiscouata Regional County Municipality]] (RCM), in the administrative region of [[Bas-Saint-Laurent]], in [[Quebec]], in [[Canada]].
Owen Controlled harvesting zone was established in 1978 by the [[Government of Quebec]], in the process of attribution of public lands to nonprofit organism instead of private clubs. In 1978, the "Fédération de Chasse et Pêche Owen" (Owen Hunting and Fishing Federation) was constituted as a non-profit organization bringing together four sports associations. Only two of these associations remain today: "Association de Loisir, Plein air, Chasse et Pêche Baseley inc" and the "Club sportif des Biens de Même inc". The headquarters of the Federation is located at the Squatec City Hall<ref>[http://zecowen.reseauzec.com/notre-agency website ZEC Owen - Section "Our organism"]</ref>
== Geography ==
ZEC is located in the administrative region of [[Bas-Saint-Laurent]], near the borders of [[New Brunswick]] and [[Rimouski Wildlife Reserve]]. The border [[Quebec]]-[[New Brunswick]] serves as the boundary to the east limit of the ZEC. The [[Madawaska River (Saint John River)|Madawaska River]] serves as southern boundary of the ZEC. The [[Quebec route 185|route 185]] between [[Dégelis, Quebec|Dégelis]] with [[Edmundston]] in [[New Brunswick]] along the southern boundary of the ZEC. Raymond Lake is the northernmost territory. ZEC is surrounded by municipalities in the [[Témiscouata Regional County Municipality]].
Covering an area of 615 square kilometers, the ZEC Owen has 35 lakes with 32 available for recreational fishing. The territory includes 10 rivers (or river segments) including 9 operated for recreational fishing. The two main rivers are: Owen and Madawaska. The watershed of the Owen River drains about 50% of the territory. ZEC has several streams (or stream segment): Lizotte, Languedoc, the Birches, Iroquois, Plourde, Benedict, Horseback, Ritchie, Lajoie, Asselin and Morrison.
The territory of the ZEC comprises:
* Two rare forest ecosystems: [[Owen River]] (black Frênaie to American elm) and [[Madawaska River (Saint John River)|Madawaska River]] (white pine sugar maple);
* Old forest ecosystems Creek Baseley (Balsam fir-yellow birch) and Brook Teed (Sugar maple-yellow birch).
Located near the provincial border, Mount Benedict reaches 385 m. altitude. Both home Zec positions are located:
* Southern part of the ZEC: Baseley the Chalet, located at Lake Beazley; accessible by car [[Degelis]].
* North of Zec: Lake Sugarloaf; accessible by car from the city [[Saint-Michel-du-Squatec, Quebec|Saint-Michel-du-Squatec]].
== Hunting and fishing ==
In Zec, nature lovers have the opportunity to observe species such as: [[American black bear]], [[deer]], [[moose]], [[fox]], [[lynx]], grouse, [[hare]], [[fisher marten]], [[weasel]], [[squirrel]], [[heron]], [[bald eagle]], [[red-tailed hawk]], [[loon]] and [[beaver]]. Two nests of bald eagles have been listed. The heron is protected.
On the territory of the ZEC fishing quota are applicable for the following species: [[brook trout]], [[lake trout]], [[coregonus]] and [[perch]]. Fishing seasons and quotas allowed are listed on the website of the ZEC Owen: {{official website|url=http://www.zecowen.com/}}. Given the abundance of wildlife in the ZEC, the following species are subject to quotas, according to particular periods, hunting gear and sex of animals (moose): [[moose]], [[Virginia deer]], [[american black bear]], [[grouse]] and [[hare]].
== Key attractions ==
Among the natural attractions of the ZEC, visitors can stop by the ZEC at:
* The "waterfalls Auclair stream". This stream has a tunnel near the outlet of Little Lake Auclair, near waterfalls;
* Falls Farley Creek
* The "Sugar Loaf Mountain"
* The "mountain of Grand Lajoie".
A walking trail on 4&nbsp;km constructed by the ZEC provides access to the highest peak in the area. An archaeological site contains artifacts of Native American prehistory in that territory.
ZEC offers a hosting service at Baseley Chalet, located at the water's edge, one kilometer from the home and drive away Baseley post. Campers can also use campground at Camping Grand Benedict. Several boat ramps are provided on water lakes of the ZEC.
== Toponymy ==
The name "ZEC Owen" is derived from the name of the Owen River, which crosses its territory. The name "Zec Owen" was formalized on August 5, 1982, at the Bank of place names in the [[Commission de toponymie du Québec]] (Geographical Names Board of Quebec).<ref>[http://www.toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/ToposWeb/fiche.aspx?no_seq=121201 Commission de toponymie du Québec (Geographical Name Board of Quebec) - Toponym: Zec Owen]</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Lejeune, Quebec|Lejeune]], municipality
* [[Témiscouata Regional County Municipality]]
* [[Bas-Saint-Laurent]], an administrative region
* [[Lac-Témiscouata National Park]]
* [[Zone d'exploitation contrôlée]] (Controlled harvesting zone)
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{Official website|url=http://www.zecowen.com/}} of "ZEC Owen".
* {{Official website|url=http://www.reseauzec.com/}} of "Fédération québécoise des gestionnaires de Zec".
* {{Official website|url=http://www.tourismetemiscouata.qc.ca}} of "Tourism Témiscouata".
* {{Official website|url=http://www.sentiernationaltemiscouata.com/}} of the "Sentier National Témiscouata".
* {{Official website|url=http://www.sepaq.com/pq/tem/language_id=2&gclid=CIO68oPD-b8CFYhcMgodVjIA-g}} of "National park of Lac-Témiscouata".
* {{Official website|url=http://www.routedesfrontieres.com/}} of the "Route of the borders".
* {{Official website|url=http://www.asterbsl.ca/fr/}} to "ASTER" scientific station of the Lower St. Lawrence.
* {{Official website|url=http://www.fortingall.ca/fr/}} of "Fort Ingall".
* {{Official website|url=http://www.festivalletremplin.com/}} of the "Festival de la chanson et de l'humour Le Tremplin de Dégelis" (Festival of the song and humor Springboard of Degelis).
* {{Official website|url=http://www.cartonfolies.com/}} of the "Festival of Carton, Cartonfolies" Cabano.
* {{Official website|url=http://www.saintjustedulac.com/services/traversier}} of the "Traverse of Lake Témiscouata".
* {{Official website|url=http://www.petit-temis.com/}} of "Biking track of Little Temis".
* {{Official website|url=http://quebec98273.yuku.com/topic/414/}} of "Center-of-outdoor-Le Montagnais Degelis".
* {{Official website|url=http://www.sousboisdelanse.com/}} of "Camping Le Sous-Bois Anse".
* {{Official website|url=http://www.montbiencourt.com/}} of "Club de ski Mont Biencourt".
* {{Official website|url=http://www.aubergeladolcevita.ca/auberge-restaurant/index.aspx}} of "Auberge La Dolce Vita".
{{DEFAULTSORT:Owen, Zec}}
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1978]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Bas-Saint-Laurent]]
[[Category:Témiscouata Regional County Municipality]]