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.
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 sharp, 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 aprox. 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 Ducks in the morning and Bears in the afternoon, till you shoot your bear, then ducks all day.
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)
- 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
- Camera
(Contact us for specifics on gear required for certain Big Game seasons)
Whitetail Deer
What to expect:
Early mornings
and long days in the stand, is what our deer hunts are about. We
will have an early breakfast at the lodge, pack you a lunch for
the day and you 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 your guide when you shoot your
Buck, or if you want to be picked up, but we cater the serious
Whitetail hunter, and we expect you stay on stand. 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 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. A range finder may be handy to premeasure
distances because the Buck usually won’t give you long to place
a bead.
What to Bring
- Camouflage or hunter green clothing.
- Please contact us for specifics on Cold weather gear required for certain Big Game
seasons
- Firearm and ammunition
- Range
Finder (optional)
- Insulated jacket
- Insulated pants or jumpsuit and long underwear
- Headwear - insulated
- Gloves or Mitts - insulated
- Blaze
orange hat/togue and vest
- 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 repellant. Fall hunts can cool and wet also but less bugs. Either season, be prepared and bring warm clothes.
What to bring
- Camouflage or hunter green clothing.
- Spring hunts may require Mosquito repellant and/or Mosquito netting jacket, head gear, etc.
- Firearm and ammunition
- Waterproof walking boots
- Good quality 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
- 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
- Camera
(contact us for specifics on gear required for certain Big Game seasons)
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
is an optional service, as some hunters want to clean their own
birds. 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 Is The Following:
- Clean,
warm private accommodations
- All
bedding, towels, etc...
- Daily
housekeeping
- 3
hearty mouthwatering meals/day
- Hunting
licenses and Permit
- Transportation including ATV/Boat Use
(boats are all
Government inspected and carry all required Safety equipment)
- Fuel
- Hunting
Equipment
- 1 guide
per 2 hunters
- Friendly
personal service use of all facilities
- Big game
trophy handling and meat cutting
- Expert
service, professional outfitter
- Friendly
atmosphere and laughter
Not Included Is The Following:
- Alcohol Beverages
- Ammunition
- Gratuities
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 very 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, you may if you wish, but we provide bird cleaning service
for $20.00/day.
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 on the hunts 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.
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