New videos to my Youtube account

Just uploaded some new videos to our Youtube account.
Check them out on You tube, search for huntriverside.com
more going up daily, some good stuff!

First winter storm

Still digging out from the last storm we had, with drifts 7 ft high and hard as stone it turned into a quite a chore. The winds from the north west can sure blow in our property. I was planning on hauling a big load some spring bear bait 30 miles up the lake with the truck, but after this i am not sure that i wouldn't get stuck. Lots of snow on 2ft of pure ice = no traction if you get stuck. So much for a nice warm trip, back to hauling with sleds and ski-doos.
Our spring bear hunts are mostly planned with only 4 spots left to hunt our tent camp. Lots of planning involved and long lists of "to dos" but it is going to be worth the effort as we should have some large bear pictures as well as some color phase bears to show.
Temperatures are supposed to plummet again, good thing the wood pile is big.
Something i plan on doing better is photographing our work, play and what not. My problem is to stop and take the pictures. Also my cameras are quite large so just having them handy is difficult. Add the cold weather killing batteries quick and it becomes even more troublesome. But i see there are some very small low quality cameras out there now, which is all i need for daily photo logging and will fit in my pocket.
We also have a facebook page http://www.huntriverside/ and we are on twitter and linkedin.
That is all for now,

2010 Manitoba hunting regualtion changes

Manitoba Conservation has forwarded the following approved changes to the 2010-hunting season.
Approved Changes

•  Increase max. applicants on big game draw to six. Increase number of draw levels to 10
•  Standardize season dates for foreign resident waterfowl: to September 24 for dark geese/ducks in GBHZ 3 & 4, September 17 for white geese in GBHZ 3 & 4
• Standardized season dates for big game: Monday openings, actual dates will be printed in hunting guide.
• Standardize end date for bears in northern zone to June 30.
• Introduce youth Turkey season: one week prior to regular season
•  Increase Canada Goose limit to 8 and possession to 24 for Resident and Canadian Resident hunters
• Increasing waterfowl possession limits: 8 and 24 for ducks
• Increase Ptarmigan season during winter Caribou season in Zone 1 to Feb. 28
• Resident Deer hunting in portions of GHA 38 inside perimeter.
• Introduce youth muzzleloader deer season one week prior to reg. season
•  Redistribution of winter Elk tags in Duck Mountains, 18A (30), 18B (20), 18C (20)
• Reduction of Moose draw tags in Ducks and Porcupine Mountains, non draw archery Moose will be changed to draw: Pending Survey Results.
• Reduction of non-draw moose licenses in GHA 14 and 14a to 20 licenses/10 tags.
• Change non-draw rifle moose in GHA 19a to draw: fall season with 40 licenses/20 tags.
• Change bag limit to one bull moose in GHA 27, 28 29, 29a and 31
•  Combine all first and second Resident Caribou tags in GHA 1

Merry Christmas everyone

We are having a wonderful Christmas, weather is nice although some strong winds have kept us from spending much time outdoors. Temperatures are warm -10 avg. and we have had some fresh snow the past couple days. Horse drawn sleigh rides, family meals and hopefully some time fishing will fill the next couple days.
Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday,

Fall hunts are over,

and a challenge it was. The weather was all over the place without ryme or reason. It was warmer than most falls but snowed for a few days in early October. We seemed about 3 weeeks behind a normal season/temps right up until last week,,,,,,,,,,when the temps dropped to -34C. This blind sided everyone as we didn't expect that after such warm weather.
Whitetail season.
We normally have snow and freezing temps for our November "rut" deer season, but this year it was T shirt weather. Too warm for any deer movement and surely no snow to track the game. Everybody had a great time but discouragement was knocking at the door testing the patience of of our deer hunting guests. We managed to bring in 3 bucks and some great stories of the ones that didn't present a shot. We also only had 1 wolf sighting which surprised us.
Waterfowl season
The fall bird season ended good with birds around well into Novemeber. The duck hunting was sporatic as we experienced a very early migration at the end of August that chased a LOT of birds into Norht Dakota. Then we waited on a slow but steady migration in late September. The ducks didn't cooperate as well as they have in past years but better than some years. Watching different areas around us it was apparent we had it good as far duck numbers go. Field goose shooting was great in the early season with plenty of Canadas around feeling very comfortable and in many small/med flocks. Early Oct we saw 3 days of pure Snow goose migrating and they managed to push most of the Canadas out in a week. After that we couldn't buy a goose.
Grouse numbers are high and the few hunters who pursue them do well. Sharpies and Ruffies being the prdominant birds.
Black bear
Our black bear seasons are spring and fall. The spring hunt was tough with weather being the culprit. The ice stayed on the lakes an extra 3 weeks longer than normal. The spring was late and so was the natural food stuffs bears need to get their digestive system moving. Once the greenery bloomed though, they went nuts and ate the baits full bore. We killed a few nice bears this spring and we are very proud that we produced a 25 year quest color phase bear for a vetran bear hunter on his second trip with us.
Our fall bear season was very good, as we hunted early and late with success in all weeks. Our waters edge baits produced in the early fall season when the weather was hot, the bears needed lots of cool water. The later fall hunt showed some massive bears with a bruin weighing in at 425 lbs, 7ft 4 in. During that hunt the hunters had a once in a lifetime experience. They witnessed 12 wolves attacking a giant bear in broad daylight, 100 yds out in fron tof them. What a wild world out here, i will write the full story on that soon.

It is hard to write about a whole year of hunting in a few short paragraphs. The seasons were challenging at times but which ones aren't? All hunting can be difficult at times, the important thing is we are up to it no matter what. We learned to take the bad and the good, the most important thing is to enjoy every moment.

fall waterfowl hunting

About to begin, is the fall duck hunting and goose hunting. Also we have great Upland hunting with Sharptails and Ruffed Grouse doing very well the past couple years. Stay tuned for updates on the action starting in a week.
Did i mention we are also winding down on our bear hunting? Will post pictures soon.