Manitoba Report

I just got back from Manitoba last night. I was there since last Saturday. This was my second trip up. We hunted the west central area of Manitoba. We were supposed to be there until 10/24, but left early. We saw more snows and ducks on the opener up there (9/27) then we did on this trip. The skies there right now are virtually birdless when compared to other years at this same time. You have to drive a lot to find big flocks of ducks and geese. They’re there, but not in the numbers we’ve seen in the past. We waited every day to see the migration start and then got hit with a snow storm that dumped 3″ of snow on us. We hunted it and got all our ducks (mostly greenheads), but it was tough. We also got a few Canada’s and one snow. We hunted fields and water both and actually did better on the smalled ponds (that were not froze-up). I mostly saw flocks of blue wing teal, mallards, pintail and gadwall, but also saw wiegon, black ducks, spoon’s and goldeneye’s yet. I really want to think the big migration has not come down yet, but I’m worried that what we saw was it. The Manitoba DNR guy’s say the hatch froze out and not much survived the late frost and cold. They said the birds we were shooting were all old birds and that there are no “young” ones. In my opinion, in terms of bird numbers,…. it’s not good for Manitoba at this time of year. We all had fun though,… and we got to see some old friends too. In terms of BSE (mad cow) – of all the land we asked permission to hunt on, we were only denied one. All the guy said was,….

“Americans. ….Don’t buy our beef, no hunting my land. Call your congressman and tell them that!” I politely thanked him and went on my way. I also saw one piece of land that was posted “No Hunting – Eat Beef.” I guess it’s their right, but I don’t think it will help their cause. Most of the farmers we talked to knew of it, but did not agree that hunters should be challanged with conveying their message/problem. Most were all great to us and even went out of their way to ID more good hunting land! Either way, I hope they eventually get things worked out with them. Anyhow,…. I’m done with the birds for now and am head’in out to West Central MN to hit the tree stand. …..The bucks are-a-moving!!

I’m Splitshot.

….And I approve this message.