# Zec de la Bessonne

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The **Zec de la Bessonne** is a "[zone d'exploitation contrôlée](/source/Zone_d'exploitation_contr%C3%B4l%C3%A9e)" (controlled harvesting area) (ZEC) near [La Tuque](/source/La_Tuque,_Quebec) in administrative region of [Mauricie](/source/Mauricie), in [Quebec](/source/Quebec), in [Canada](/source/Canada). A territory of 524.5 square kilometres (202.5 sq mi) was assigned in 1978 to the Zec.

The Zec is managed by the Association Épervier de La Tuque inc (Association Hawk of La Tuque inc). It takes its name from a former private hunting club which was abolished upon creating the Zec.[1]

## Geography

Zec de la Bessonne is a land of 524.5 square kilometres (202.5 sq mi), located in [Mauricie](/source/Mauricie), in [La Tuque (urban agglomeration)](/source/La_Tuque_(urban_agglomeration)). Its territory is shared by the city of La Tuque and municipalities [La Bostonnais, Quebec](/source/La_Bostonnais,_Quebec) and [Lac-Edouard](/source/Lac-Edouard). It is bordered to the east by the [Zec Jeannotte, Québec](/source/Zec_Jeannotte,_Qu%C3%A9bec) and [Portneuf Wildlife Reserve](/source/Portneuf_Wildlife_Reserve), and to the south by [Zec Tawachiche](/source/Zec_Tawachiche). It is located at 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) east of downtown La Tuque.

The territory is crossed by six rivers, including the [Little Bostonnais River](/source/Little_Bostonnais_River), the [Jeannotte River](/source/Jeannotte_River) and [Rivière du milieu (Mékinac)](/source/Rivi%C3%A8re_du_milieu_(M%C3%A9kinac)). Zec includes 281 lakes, including [Lake Wayagamac](/source/Lake_Wayagamac), which provides drinking water to the city of La Tuque.

## Land protection

Zec de la Bessonne is not a protected area recognized by the [Government of Quebec](/source/Government_of_Quebec), like all other ZECs; forestry and mining are allowed. However, the island "Steamboat" is recognized as a [heronry](/source/Heronry) and [bird colony](/source/Bird_colony), and is located in the center of Lake Wayagamac.

## Toponymy

The term "Bessonne" identifying a river, two lakes, one island, a dam and a zec (controlled harvesting zone) are related. These toponyms derivate from the name of the river.

The toponym "Zec de la Bessonne" was officialized on August 5, 1982 at the Bank of Names Places of [Commission de toponymie du Québec](/source/Commission_de_toponymie_du_Qu%C3%A9bec) (Geographical Names Places of Quebec).[2]

## See also

- [Mékinac Lake](/source/M%C3%A9kinac_Lake)
- [Lac-Masketsi, Quebec](/source/Lac-Masketsi,_Quebec), unorganized territory
- [Zone d'exploitation contrôlée](/source/Zone_d'exploitation_contr%C3%B4l%C3%A9e) (Controlled Harvesting Zone) (ZEC)

## References

1. ["Topos on the web: Zec of Bessonne"](http://www.toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/CT/topos/carto.asp?Speci=120564&Latitude=47,38333&Longitude=-72,51666&Zoom=1700). Retrieved November 13, 2008.

1. [Commission de toponymmie du Québec (Geographical Names Places of Quebec) - Bank of places names - Toponym: zec de la Bessonne](http://www.toponymie.gouv.qc.ca/ct/ToposWeb/fiche.aspx?no_seq=120564)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Zec de la Bessonne](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zec_de_la_Bessonne) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zec_de_la_Bessonne?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.