back from Manitoba

[Dani]

Well Hitch and I got back from Manitoba yesterday. MAN O MAN was it FUN!!!!!!!!!!!! The first day I froze my be-hind off. I couldn't put enough clothes on to stay warm what with a Nor'eastr and wind and rain. But the snows were awesome that day! Decoying in, flying low and being somewhat stupid. Also some of the lesser Canadas made an appearance that day with a handfull of ducks. The other two days were sunny and cool (probably in the 50s-65s) with a slight breeze. The third day was wild! We were covered in ducks from the time the very first ray of sunlight began even thinking about showing itself over the hill. We set up for canadas, and scratched out four greaters and six snows, but man o man the ducks...four people limited out in about an hour with 32 ducks. And we could've shot 200. They were swarming like the mosquitos do down here in the swamps. The geese didn't cooperate well that day, but it sure was fun. Here's a few pics, and I'm sure that Hitch will chime in with some of his own. This was the first time I ever hunted in a field layout blind and first time ever hunting N. American geese.

Day 1:

wierd looking Ross Unicorn

 

[Dani]

Day 2:

Denali, Kris's (our guide) BLM

 

[Dani]

Day 3:

ducks everywhere!

Kris trying to call in dem wily gooses

another view from my blind

 

[george wilson]

congrats to you and hitch on what looks like a great hunt

you look like your dressed for sub zero weather --- lol
southern blood too thin -- lol


i love manitoba
have bear and deer hunted there many times and am going back for deer november 24th. -- THEN it will really be C-O-L-D!

where in manitoba were you hunting?

 

[leslie riggan]

Awesome pics!

 

[Derek Z]

Dani-
Thanks for that, what a great way to start a Friday. Very clear - good pictures. It looks like a great time. Your really becoming the traveling duck hunter, Argentina, Manitoba - whats on line next?

Derek

 

[Dani]

congrats to you and hitch on what looks like a great hunt

you look like your dressed for sub zero weather --- lol
southern blood too thin -- lol


i love manitoba
have bear and deer hunted there many times and am going back for deer november 24th. -- THEN it will really be C-O-L-D!

where in manitoba were you hunting?

yup my southern blood is pretty thin. i'm like a lizard, I bask in the warm southern sun.

we were up in Harrison or Saskathewan Counties. Not sure which one. About 3 hours NW of Winnipeg

I hear that there are several sows up that way that have 3 cubs this year and quite a few others with twins. A guy got treed by one of those sows with three cubs. She tried to shake him out of his tree several times as well and then just sat under the tree. So watch out!

 

[Dani]

Dani-
Thanks for that, what a great way to start a Friday. Very clear - good pictures. It looks like a great time. Your really becoming the traveling duck hunter, Argentina, Manitoba - whats on line next?

Derek

Well I'm planning on Argentina again in June. Then hopefully up to the Pacific NW for three days or so of bird hunting next season. That's the plan anyway

 

[Ryan Werden]

Looks like fun Dani!

 

[Shermie]

ah way to go dani and hitch was it your first trip way up north?? and its not even 20 below yet lol,,loved the pics come on hitch post em up i know ya prob took 200 pics....

shermie...

 

[Lee Harker]

Awwww..what a cute little darlin all bundled up for the cold. Looks like your freckles froze and fell off. Cool trip you had there, thanks for the pics. The ducks need to mature a bit and get colorful.

 

[Hitch]

Awwww..what a cute little darlin all bundled up for the cold. Looks like your freckles froze and fell off. Cool trip you had there, thanks for the pics. The ducks need to mature a bit and get colorful.

Dani doesn't complain though; a real trooper, and the birds will mature... us Forida duck hunters know about that ;-)

First of all I would like to remind everyone; I won this hunt in a raffle. Kris Wujcik and his wife Nance donated this hunt for a fine man and a friend; David Blood who has cancer.

Please consider this for your hunts to Canada. All the people we met in Manitoba were down home and as welcoming as I will ever know.

Kris's website:

http://www.manitobasnows.com/

Ya Shermie, I got photos.

Here are a few.

Day one was a dream, and although I didn't get much on film due to the rain, I think you can see from what I do have what it would be like if you were there. The wind was pushing the spit down our backs while the snows were floating in. Kris would let them in the front door before making the call. You could almost see the look in their eyes.

Plenty of Ross paid us a visit too.

 

[Hitch]

Tuesday morning was surreal with the clouds hinting of the cold yet to come. And with the sun peeking under them early, it lit the prairie with all the colors of fall. We were having our first real look at the beautiful fall colors after the front from Monday had mostly past through.

The ducks were lacking color, but they put on a show, bringing on the goosebumps. "Goosebumps", hmm I wonder...

Kris's new pup Denali has already had a good go of it, and handily did the work.

Kris knows how to work the birds in, and works hard to get it done too.

Dani with her pretty birds, and rosy cheeks.

The farmer out discing the field paid us a visit and delivered us a flyer goose. What a machine he has. You need it with all the land there to tend.

 

[Hitch]

Tuesday afternoon we hunted a pea field dotted with roost ponds. Kris's friends, Craig and Brian, were gracious enough to let Dani and I tag along. We had the new bobble heads out and set on the edge of a pot hole using the ground blinds again.

Brian's pup Hunter displayed an incredible ability to mark, and his nose is at least as discriminating. The dog found birds we had forgot of.

Mallards, Widgeon, Pintail and Teals sang out and buzzed about.

Geese passed by heading to feed, and ignoring our duck spread.

I shot a really pretty wood duck drake and forgot to snap a photo.

We picked up in the moonlight while Brian cleaned the birds.

 

[Hitch]

Wednesday morning was an incredible duck shoot which had been planned mostly for geese. We ended with it all, but the ducks were the treat putting on an incredible show all morning.

Kris did call in a bunch of geese after the wind decided what to do.

And Dani tagged a nice greater with the 20 to finish out as the final shot of the trip.

It was a splendid trip, and far too short, but we'll go back.

Kris is a great guy and aims to please.

The food was great as well, wonderful home style cooking, and the pub was a bonus, reminding me again of all those days back in Iowa long ago.

Much has changed in my world, but this Manitoba hunt reminded me what's important, as well as what life use to be like in my younger days. It leaves you wanting it all back.

It's what it's all about. You know it when you find a place like this.

Hitch

 

[Craig S]

Hitch,
Your's and Dani's photos got me fired up. Can you PM me on Chris' information and some tips on travelling to Canada to hunt. Dream of doing it some day... Thanks!
Craig

 

[Jeff Sweeny]

Great pictures, thanks for posting. Layout goose hunting is the best. It's a real thrill to have geese fly over so low you can hear their wings buzzing. Woo hoo.

Jeff

 

[Kyle Ritter]

Awesome pics Hitch. Our early goose season opens tomorrow a.m.. Todd and I are holding off till sunday since I just got off work 12:47 a.m.. Can't wait to see ya in November

Kyle Ritter

 

[Bill Gass]

Wow what a trip you had. And to think that I've got two brothers and a sister living in southern Manitoba that I could be "visiting". He he. None of them are into waterfowling though, I'll have to work on that.

Bill G.

 

[Yukon Mike]

Great trip guys! You are making me homesick! I'm glad you posted so many pictures.

Mike