Hunting Trip Information

This page consists of much information and may answer some questions. It also explains a bit about our daily agendas for different hunts, what to bring and links to useful government  web sites and more.

Seasons:

Waterfowl Sept. 24 - October
Upland (Grouse) Sept. 24 - October
Sand Hill Cranes September
Black Bear Spring - May 1st til June 19th
Black Bear Fall - August 30th - Oct. 11th
Whitetail Deer Muzzleloader season October 18th for 3 weeks
Whitetail Deer Rifle season begins November 8th for 3 weeks
Whitetail Deer Archery season begins August 30th
Wolf / Coyote Open in the fall during any big-game season.
(License is covered by big-game license)
A wolf may be shot during fall bear season only if the hunter has an un-used bear tag for the current open-season. Wolf has to be killed before the bear.

Licenses
Limits Ducks 8 per day / 24 in possession $155.00 (all birds) + stamp $17.00 (all waterfowl)
Geese (dark) 5 per day / 15 in possession $155.00 (all birds) + stamp $17.00 (all waterfowl)
Geese (light) 20 per day / 80 in possession $155.00 (all birds) + stamp $17.00 (all waterfowl)
Crane 5 per day / 10 in possession $155.00 (all birds)
Snipe 10 per day / 20 in possession $155.00 (all birds)
Bear 1 per season $217.00 (no trophy fee)
Deer 1 per season $217.00 (no trophy fee)
Wolf 1 per season Included in Bear or Deer license
Coyote 1 per season Included in Bear or Deer license

Waterfowl
What to expect:

A Riverside Lodge morning starts with a big hearty breakfast at about 6:00 am, served in the Lodge dinning room. The motors will be warmed up down at the docks and the guides are waiting to help you get comfortable in your seat. Most days you will travel 20 minutes to any of the good “spots”. It can be very cool in the morning so bring layers of warm, water proof clothing, incase it is raining. Almost all of our shooting is done from boats over decoys. If you like a change, we can set you up on some shore blinds but you will never have to wade out in deep, bottomless muck and hunt. We would set you up on a hard bottom area in a blind. We hunt the morning until you either shot a limit (1/2 hour), had enough shooting, or till 11:30 am so you will be back for 12:00 noon for lunch, also served in the Lodge. We take a break till 2:30 or 3:00 and then head back out for ducks till dark or, we can take you grouse hunting. Or you can shoot some skeet, go for hike or go out and take some beautiful photos. Pending time of month the fishing might not be so bad either.

If you had booked a field goose hunt, that morning would consist of a wake up at 4:30 am for breakfast. We then would travel approx.. 1 hour to the field and set up the decoys, etc. We like to be there early so we can get settled before the big flocks arrive. Legal shooting is a half hour before sunrise and we need to be ready for the early flocks of ducks and geese. We hunt until we limit out and pack up to head back to the Lodge for lunch and an afternoon hunt.

If you had booked a Bear/Duck combo hunt you will typically hunt Birds in the morning and Bears in the afternoon.

On the last day of stay, the hunt ends at noon. After a final big lunch you have time to pack your belongings and your frozen birds. We try to be flexible and if bookings allow we can offer you an extended stay till the next morning.

What to Bring

• Camouflage or hunter green clothing. 
• Firearm and ammunition
• Waterproof walking boots
• Hip or chest waders
• Good Rain gear (water proof!)
• Light jacket
• Insulated jacket
• Headwear - light
• Headwear - insulated
• Gloves - light
• Gloves or Mitts - insulated
• Insulated pants or jumpsuit or long underwear
• Blaze orange  hat/togue and vest (if planning to Grouse hunt)
• Light footwear for around camp/lodge
• Personal effects, such as medication, toiletries, alcohol and tobacco.
• Cooler (if you wish to take game home)
• Passport is now required
• Border crossing forms pre filled.( firearms declaration form 1-800-731-4000),info @ Canada customs 1-800-461-9999
• Travel arrangements made
• Travel crate for dog
• Camera

Contact us for specifics on gear recommendations.

Whitetail Deer
What to expect:

We will have an early breakfast at the lodge, grab our lunches and gear for the day and we are off. Travel to the stands is in the dark and will be via Atvs or Snowmobiles, pending conditions. You will have a radio to communicate with us and we pick you up shortly after legal shooting time. Bring WARM clothes and anything else compact to aid in a comfortable quiet sit. We have comfortable stands and will get you and your gear there with out you breaking sweat, but please prepare for some cold extremities, warm boots and mitts are a must. Unfortunately cold weather makes for the best deer action. Contact us for suggestions on appropriate gear as we have seen lots and know what doesn’t work. We do however have a number of heated tree stand blinds and ground blinds. A range finder may be handy to premeasure distances because the Buck usually won’t give you long to place a bead. Calling is permitted but we ask to refrain from unnecessary use, to prevent educating bucks. Rattling horns can be productive as well. Most attention needs to be paid to scent control and hunters movement and that all come back to clothing and being comfortable. We also provide "Pee" jugs for scent control.

What to Bring

• Camouflage or hunter green clothing. 
• WARM CLOTHING! LAYERS! BEST EXTREME COLD BOOTS YOU CAN BUY!
• Insulated jacket 
• Insulated pants or jumpsuit and long underwear
• Headwear - insulated
• Gloves or Mitts - insulated
• Blaze orange  hat/togue and vest
• Light footwear for around camp/lodge
• Safety harness and lanyard
• Firearm and ammunition
• Range Finder (optional)
• Personal effects, such as medication, toiletries, alcohol and tobacco.
• Cooler (if you wish to take game home)
• Passport is required in some cases
• Border crossing forms pre filled.( firearms declaration form 1-800-731-4000),info @ Canada customs 1-800-461-9999
• Travel arrangements made
• Camera

Black Bear
What to expect:

A black bear hunt consists of a late morning breakfast. Then we pack you a lunch and prepare for the departure for the afternoon hunt. You will hunt from 1:00 pm till dark thirty. Travel to the stands is either by boat, ATV, Argo or sometimes truck. The baits are situated strategically for best bear attraction, not for ease of getting there. You will have a radio to use for checking in with guide at predetermined times, or when you shoot your bruin. We will give you a more detailed orientation upon arrival as to what to do, listen for, etc when you shoot your bear.
Spring hunts are usually warm but come prepared for cold weather and wet weather. Also it may be a good idea to bring some mosquito net clothing and repellent. The thermacells are very popular and actually work well, most hunters swear by them. Fall hunts can be cool and wet also but less bugs. BUT, we don't have black flies or no-seeums!

What to bring

• Camouflage or hunter green clothing.
• Blaze orange hat/togue and vest for the fall hunt.
  
• Mosquito repellent and/or Mosquito netting jacket, head gear, etc.(ThermaCell's work great).
• Safety harness and lanyard
  
• Firearm and ammunition
  
• Waterproof walking boots
  
• Good quality Rain gear (water proof!)
• Knee high rubber boots
  
• Light jacket
• Light footwear for around camp/lodge
  
• Insulated jacket
  
• Headwear - light
  
• Headwear - insulated
  
• Gloves - light
  
• Gloves or Mitts - insulated
  
• Insulated pants or jumpsuit or long underwear
  
• Personal effects, such as medication, toiletries, alcohol and tobacco.
  
• Cooler (if you wish to take meat/trophy home)
  
• Passport is now required
  
• Border crossing forms pre filled.( firearms declaration form 1-800-731-4000),info @ Canada customs 1-800-461-9999
  
• Travel arrangements made
  
• Camera
  (contact us for specifics on gear required for certain Big Game seasons)

Tent Camp - additional items to bring

• Warm sleeping bag (if flying let us know and we will provide them)
• Towels, facecloth, shampoo
• Extra socks
• Book to read while relaxing at camp and for rainy days
• Flashlight
• Extra batteries for electronics
• We always try to return back to the lodge on time, but if bad weather hinders safe travel we will stay put till it is safe to travel. Also, the area we hunt does not have fast responding emergency services, in fact there is virtually none. So if you require any medication, pack extra incase of delayed departure.

All Big Game hunters are required to sight in their rifles at our range on day of arrival. Allow for arrival in daylight and extra ammunition accordingly.

Our Hunting Packages

During your stay you can expect daily housekeeping service which includes cleaning of your cabin, fresh towels and we even make your bed.

Bird cleaning service is included. All birds will be frozen with one wing left on, packaged and clearly marked with species.

If you have chosen a big game hunt we take care of all tasks right down to meat cutting, labeling and freezing. We will skin your animal in such way to allow for your preference of trophy mounting. And collect/submit all required samples for Dept. of Man. Cons. If you wish to leave the meat behind, we have families who will gladly take the meat.

We also are happy to have been recognized as a wonderful place for elderly or physically challenged hunters. Our equipment and professional guides make the hunt effortless without compromising hunting opportunities. We have flat floored boats and seats for our boats so you can hunt comfortably. We even have found a more useful job for a golf cart, dock shuttle!  It will carry you, your gear and a mess of ducks smoothly all over the property.

The evening dinner is always mouthwatering and lots of it. By the way, don’t expect to lose any weight here, it is not a health spa, it’s a hunting lodge! We eat well and we eat lots. It is a holiday meal every day and we enjoy it. After dinner you can retire or gather in the log “smoke house” gazebo for cocktails and stories and stay warm beside the wood stove. It is a fun place to play cards, watch your favorite team on satellite or have some laughs.

Included in all the hunts:

• All applicable taxes
• Clean, warm private accommodations
• All bedding, towels, etc
• Daily housekeeping
• 3 hearty mouthwatering meals/day
• Transportation equipment, ATV/Boat use (boats are all Government inspected and carry all required Safety equipment)
• Fuel for hunting equipment
• Assortment of major hunting equipment
• 1 guide per 2-3 hunters (pending type of hunt ex; field goose hunt)
• Friendly personal service and use of all facilities
• Big game trophy handling and meat cutting.
• Bird processing on bird hunts.
• Expert service, professional outfitter
• Friendly atmosphere and laughter

Not included:

• Hunting Licenses/permits
• Ammunition
• Personal hunting equipment
• Alcohol beverages
• Gratuities
• Transportation nor accommodations immediately before and after scheduled hunt booking
  

The weather is usually very pleasant in September and October but some mornings can be quite cold. Temps range from 75 F to 40 F.

It may snow in October but more likely in November and December. One should be prepared for winter weather after approximately November 1st when temperatures can be 10 F and colder.

Hunting in winter conditions can be pleasant so long as one is properly dressed, and the necessary equipment is available.

I can help you with all the paperwork for entering into Canada. It is not difficult at all and the gun declaration form is only $25. What is important is that you have all the paperwork ready before you arrive at customs. Taking home game is also easy and we take care of packaging it in the appropriate way. You can bring 200 rounds of ammo per hunter. I will have a page dedicated to the easy steps required on the web site soon.

Frequently asked Questions

Do we need to clean our birds?
No, we will breast and freeze your birds as part of your hunting package.

What size shot? How many?
Call me and we can talk specifics.

Do you have to hunt with strangers?
When hunting from boats or for big game, no you do not.

When hunting field geese, we may set up 2 groups on the same decoys but only if the particular set up allows and the number of hunters is small. We make sure all shooting zones, and Safe practices are followed by all.

How many hunters per boat?
2 shooters per boat

What about only 1 Waterfowl hunter?
We sell our Duck hunts based on 2 hunters per boat for obvious safety reasons. We will set up on ground blinds with 3 hunters/guide.

Ideally even number groups work the best, ie: 2,4,6,8,10,, but we can accommodate single hunters for a small surcharge. Contact me for details.

What is the limit on Redheads and Canvasbacks?
No species restrictions here! Full limits of any species.

Do we share accommodations or restrooms/showers?
No. All groups have their own cabins with full bathrooms.

After I shoot a bear, what do I do then?
You can take advantage of our beautiful relaxing scenery and go on a hike. Hunt grouse, go fishing or tag along with a guide on your buddies hunt.

If I wound an animal, is my hunt over?
Not if you followed our ethic rules, sighted in your gun upon arrival, and helped us make a very large effort to find the wounded animal. I must mention that the hunters attitude plays a big role in our decision to continue the hunt. Some places charge an extra fee to hunt after wounding an animal, not us, we are not about that and we don't sell animals, we sell hunts. So practice and know your gun, take your time and shoot within your abilities and we should have no worries.

Rules

We try to run the most ethical and legal Lodge in all respects and ask you to follow our few rules.

Alcohol is not permitted while hunting or immediately before the hunt. Once the hunt is over and the guns packed up, you are more than welcome to refresh your thirst.

 Our Guides do not shoot with you or carry firearms into the field. (only on bear hunts)

 All reasonable efforts will be made to retrieve crippled ducks and wounded animals. We will stop the hunt to retrieve a cripples so that we do not accidentally go over our limits and we practice good ethics. We will decide when to give up on tracking a wounded animal, and we look hard and long, so shoot straight and true.

We also do encourage our clients to bring along their calls and to use them if they wish.

 Well behaved retrievers are more than welcome and can stay in the cabin with you in a portable kennel. Or it can stay in one of our Kennels outside.

Now go to the Contact us page and receive hunting info.

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