November brings a special kind of magic to Canadian forests. As winter approaches, wildlife becomes more active and easier to spot against the changing landscape. Some animals are preparing for hibernation, while others are adjusting to colder weather, making this month perfect for wildlife watching.
Always observe wildlife from a safe distance and never approach or feed wild animals. Check local regulations and weather conditions before venturing into forest areas.
1. White-Tailed Deer
With their distinctive white tail flash, these graceful creatures become especially visible during November’s mating season. Bucks sport impressive antlers and lose their usual caution as they search for mates.
Early morning and dusk offer the best viewing opportunities. You’ll often find them near forest edges where they browse on twigs and remaining vegetation before winter truly sets in.
2. Moose
Canada’s largest land mammal stands nearly two metres tall at the shoulder. November marks the tail end of their rutting season, when bulls are still displaying their magnificent antlers before shedding them.
Look for them around wetlands and willow thickets. Despite their enormous size, moose move surprisingly quietly through dense forest, munching on woody plants and bark.
3. Snowshoe Hare
Nature’s quick-change artist transforms from summer brown to winter white during November. Their oversized hind feet act like natural snowshoes, giving them their memorable name.
Watch for these speedy hoppers at dawn or twilight in brushy areas. Their patchy coats during this transition period make them easier to spot than usual, creating a mottled appearance against the forest floor.
4. Red Fox
Sporting a luxurious winter coat by November, red foxes become bolder in their hunting efforts. Their russet fur and bushy white-tipped tail make them unmistakable against autumn’s muted colours.
These clever hunters often patrol forest edges and clearings searching for mice and voles. Listen for their distinctive barking calls echoing through the trees, especially during evening hours.
5. Black Bear
Racing against winter’s arrival, black bears enter hyperphagia, eating almost constantly to build fat reserves. November represents your last chance to spot them before they retreat to their dens for winter sleep.
They’re often found near berry patches and oak trees, searching for final food sources. Their thick coats are fully developed, making them appear larger and more impressive than during summer months.
6. Gray Wolf
Pack activity increases dramatically as wolves coordinate hunts for larger prey preparing for winter. Their haunting howls carry further through November’s crisp air, helping pack members communicate across vast territories.
Though sightings remain rare, fresh tracks in early snow reveal their presence. Look for large canine prints near deer trails and frozen waterways where wolves patrol their hunting grounds.
7. Pileated Woodpecker
Canada’s largest woodpecker announces its presence with powerful drumming that echoes through quiet November forests. Their flaming red crest and crow-sized body make identification simple even from a distance.
Search for rectangular holes carved into dead trees where they hunt carpenter ants and beetle larvae. These impressive birds remain active year-round, making them reliable subjects for patient forest observers.
8. Beaver
November finds beavers working frantically to secure their lodges and stockpile underwater food caches before ice forms. Their engineering skills are fully displayed as they repair dams and reinforce homes against coming winter storms.
Visit ponds and streams during late afternoon to watch them swimming with freshly cut branches. Their distinctive flat tails slap water surfaces when danger approaches, creating loud warning sounds.
9. Great Horned Owl
Surprisingly, these powerful predators begin their courtship season in November, filling forests with deep hooting calls. Their yellow eyes and prominent ear tufts make them instantly recognizable when spotted roosting in evergreens.
Listen for their classic hoo-hoo-hoo pattern after sunset. Patient observers might witness them hunting rabbits and other small mammals along forest edges under moonlight’s glow.
10. Lynx
Elusive and mysterious, the Canada lynx sports enormous paws that function like built-in snowshoes. November’s early snowfalls reveal their tracks more easily, though actually spotting one requires tremendous luck and patience.
These specialized hunters depend almost entirely on snowshoe hares for survival. Their populations rise and fall in sync with hare numbers, creating a fascinating natural cycle studied by wildlife biologists.
