"Secret Hunting Spot Revealed!"
by Dick Bennett, USA Editor of "Shotgun Sports Magazine" Sept ' 99
Our 1998 Canadian hunting trip was average for the area. On the days of dead calm and sunshine, it took some time to fill out limits. When it rained and blew, the sky was filled with ducks and geese. That's waterfowl hunting!
On one particularly cold, overcast, windy day, we decided to try a bit of field hunting. Roy and I set up in one area, while the other three in our group set up another. Roy and I saw a few geese but not many, and after four hours we had not seen a bird within calling distance. The other three enjoyed a great shoot just 1,000 yards away. We could not see their birds or hear the shooting due to the over cast and wind. Roy and I decided to pull up stakes, go back to camp and take the boats out on the lake. By the time we reached our hunting spot, it was almost 1 p.m., not a great time for duck hunting.
The wind had backed off a bit, and it was getting brighter and warmer. The warmth was welcomed, but the lighter winds and brighter sky were not. To our amazement, ducks and geese were moving well, probably still riled up by the earlier weather. We started timing the intervals between shooting and found not 10 minutes passed. A great duck day!
Where we hunt, you often see large movements of swans and cormorants that cruise in straight lines just over the water, always silent at that low level. They tend to startle you when you don't see them coming. Both are protected species, so you can't shoot them, but they can really get your heart pumping. I spotted a group of birds a ways off and, because of their size, I said to Roy, "We're about to get buzzed by swans."
They were headed right at us. About 15 feet in front of us, 2 feet off the water, they turned slightly and we realized they were Canada geese! Too late; not a shot fired.
All afternoon we witnesses flock after flock of Canada's 2 feet off the water in straight lines and remarkably silent for Canada's. They wouldn't answer a call or veer off. They just matched up the lake in straight lines and made barely a sound. We had never experienced anything like it before. Low flyers, yes, but not quite like this. Small and large flocks , yes, but always normal V formation or offset lines. Straight lines like cormorants and swans? Never, Swans call constantly when they are slightly higher off the water, but when they are on the deck , they'll fall silent. We had never experienced Canada geese behaving in that manner.
All in all, it was, as usual, a great trip. As you know, a duck hunter's spot is a well-kept secret. An avid duck hunter would rather share his wife than his spot. Well, I'm going to break the code and preserve my wife's reputation. I'm not sure if she'll be glad or mad when she reads this.
Up until now, sharing this information would have served no purpose. The hundreds of thousands of acres we hunt were completely saved up by American guides who leased the entire area from the farmers and ranchers, and they were booked solid for years. The resort we stay at is basically a fishing camp that offers world class walleyed pike fishing right in front and 200 yards from the dock, produces 9 to 14 pound walleyes in abundance. The family that owns the camp also owns some huge ranches nearby.
The youngest son, who ran the restaurant I raved about in previous articles recently took over the resort. He got his dad and other relatives and friends to lease all their farms and ranches to him and allowed the owners of the land to be the guides and receive a bigger share of the hunting pot. He rents cabins, provides the food, beverages, licenses and supplies, and shares the hunting and guide fees with the landowners. A great opportunity that fills otherwise nonproductive time.
The farmers and ranchers always know which fields and ponds are drawing birds, and we found then so honest and helpful some actually told us, "Our ranch isn't attracting birds right now, but so-and-so is loaded, Contact them."
Don't expect full service, "I'll tie your shoes for you" guide service. Expect hard working, honest, friendly people who will do whatever they can to make your hunt successful. You help set up your decoys and blinds. You clean your own birds, game or fish. They let you see their land and take you to the good spots. A few will call for you if you don't have the necessary skills, but not all.
The are is fantastic and normal years produce great hunts. Not only that its extremely reasonable. With the high Canadian exchange rate of 49% last year, it was downright cheap!
Narrows Lodge is only 124 miles northwest of Winnipeg via Hwy. #6 to Provincial Road 68. You can drive right to it. They also offer big game hunting.
If you want out my hunting spot, contact: Chad Olafson at Lake Manitoba Narrows Lodge, Oakview, Manitoba, Canada R0C2K0, call (204) 768-2749, fax (204) 768-2170. Tell them you saw Dick Bennett's article in the Shotgun Sports. Chad promised special treatment to customers who mentioned us.
I'll be up there as usual this year, Maybe we'll meet and share a few stories. By the way, the only thing I get out of this "advertisement" is Chad said he will hold a cabin for me (I made him promise!
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