Asking Price: Please Contact – Business can be sold as parts or as a whole
Location: Hearst, Ontario
Contact Name: Melanie Ann Veilleux
Phone: 1-866-844-5700
Email: mel@hearstair.com
Website: www.hearstair.com
*The below information while deemed to be correct is not guaranteed. All measurements should not be relied upon without independent verification.
Overview
Hearst Air Service Ltd. represents a rare opportunity to acquire an established fly-in air charter and wilderness hospitality operation with nearly five decades of proven success in Northern Ontario’s premium fishing and hunting market. Since its founding 48 years ago, this family-operated enterprise has built an enviable reputation delivering authentic wilderness experiences to anglers and hunters seeking access to some of Ontario’s most pristine and productive remote waters.
Operating from a strategically located air base on Carey Lake, approximately 30 kilometers west of the Town of Hearst, this turn-key operation combines essential aviation infrastructure with exclusive access to five remote fly-in outpost camps scattered across Northern Ontario’s vast boreal wilderness. The business serves a diverse clientele ranging from trophy-seeking anglers pursuing 40″+ northern pike and trophy walleye to families seeking authentic Do-It-Yourself wilderness adventures on lakes where they are the only anglers for the entire week.
Why This Opportunity is Compelling:
The business benefits from multiple revenue streams including fly-in fishing packages, moose hunting operations with valuable tag allocations and custom charter flights. The inclusion of an on-site Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) provides both operational efficiency and an additional revenue center serving the regional aviation community. With established booking patterns, a loyal repeat customer base built over nearly 50 years, and strategic positioning in the self-proclaimed “Moose Capital of Canada,” this operation offers exceptional upside for an owner-operator or investment group seeking exposure to Northern Ontario’s thriving outdoor recreation economy.
Beyond the fly-in fishing and hunting operations, Hearst Air Service provides custom air charter services to a diverse clientele throughout Northern Ontario. The operation serves mining exploration companies requiring remote site access, forestry operations, emergency medical evacuations, cargo transport to remote communities, and specialized charter requests. This charter division provides year-round revenue stability, complementing the seasonal fishing and hunting business while leveraging the same aviation infrastructure and pilot expertise. The company’s strong safety record, Transport Canada certifications, and intimate knowledge of Northern Ontario’s remote regions have established Hearst Air Service as a trusted aviation partner for both commercial and recreational clients across the territory.
The seller is flexible regarding transaction structure, with the business available for sale as a complete turn-key package or potentially as individual components for buyers interested in specific operational elements.
Photos
Buildings & Site Improvements
The Carey Lake air base provides comprehensive aviation infrastructure purpose-built for year-round float plane and ski-plane operations:
Primary Facilities:
- Two aircraft hangars providing secure storage, maintenance workspace, and protection from Northern Ontario’s harsh winter conditions
- Runway facilities suitable for wheeled aircraft operations
- Professionally engineered dock systems designed for float plane loading, tie-down, and seasonal operations
- Aircraft towing capabilities with specialized ground support equipment for moving and positioning aircraft
- On-site Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) facility equipped for routine maintenance, inspections, and aircraft servicing
- Support buildings housing operational equipment, parts inventory, and administrative functions
The facilities are strategically positioned on Carey Lake’s shoreline, offering direct water access for summer float plane operations and suitable terrain for winter ski-plane conversions. The infrastructure represents decades of incremental investment and operational refinement, designed specifically for the unique demands of remote wilderness charter operations in Northern Ontario’s challenging environment.
Beyond the primary air base, the operation maintains five remote fly-in outpost camps scattered across Northern Ontario’s wilderness. While specific cabin configurations vary by location, these camps typically feature rustic but functional log or frame structures equipped with propane appliances (refrigerator, stove with oven), propane or kerosene lighting, wood-burning heating systems, complete kitchen utensils and cookware, sleeping accommodations for 2-10 guests depending on the camp, and dock facilities with aluminum boats, outboard motors, and fuel storage. Several camps have been featured in prominent fishing media including Fish’n Canada television productions and Northern Ontario travel publications.
Chattels Included in the Sale
The sale includes comprehensive operational assets essential to the business’s continued success:
Aviation Assets:
- Two float planes configured for wilderness operations, equipped with ski-plane conversion capability for winter operations
- Complete maintenance tools, equipment, and parts inventory supporting the on-site AMO operation
- Ground support equipment including aircraft towing apparatus, dollies, and handling equipment
- Fuel storage and dispensing systems for aviation gasoline
Outpost Camp Equipment:
- Five complete remote outpost camps with rustic cabins, docks, and guest amenities
- Fleet of aluminum fishing boats distributed across outpost locations
- Outboard motors and backup motor inventory
- Propane appliances, heating systems, and lighting equipment at each camp location
- Kitchen equipment, cookware, utensils, and camp furnishings
- Maintenance and repair equipment for ongoing camp upkeep
Hunting Operations:
- Moose hunt tag allocation providing exclusive access to this revenue stream
- Three complete tent camp setups with all necessary equipment for remote hunting operations
- Camp setup equipment, furniture, and field support systems
Additional Assets:
- Customer databases, and operational records
- Marketing materials, website, and established brand recognition
- Safety equipment, communications systems, and emergency response capability
Land & Location
The operation is strategically positioned in one of Northern Ontario’s most productive fishing and hunting regions, with the primary air base located on Carey Lake approximately 30 kilometers west of the Town of Hearst, Ontario.
The Hearst region has long been recognized as the self-proclaimed “Moose Capital of Canada” due to exceptional moose populations and hunting success rates. The surrounding boreal forest and lake-rich landscape of the Canadian Shield provides world-class fishing and hunting opportunities that form the foundation of the region’s outdoor recreation economy.
Operational Territory:
From the Carey Lake air base, Hearst Air Service operates across a vast territory extending into some of Ontario’s most remote wilderness areas.
The remote nature of these locations—accessible only by aircraft—creates significant barriers to entry for competitors while providing guests with authentic wilderness experiences increasingly rare in modern Ontario. The operation’s established access to these waters, combined with maintained infrastructure at five separate outpost locations, represents decades of investment and relationship-building that would be extremely difficult to replicate.
Property Tenure:
Prospective purchasers should conduct appropriate due diligence regarding land ownership, water lot leases, Crown land use permits, and any applicable licenses or authorizations governing the air base facilities and remote outpost camp operations. The seller can provide details on current tenure arrangements, permit structures, and any ongoing obligations related to land use and camp operations.
