It was a calm spring day as my son Mark and I made our way up a grassy creek, swollen with the yearly influx of meltwater. Our targets for the day were post-spawn northern pike or, in common parlance, jackfish or jacks. We were moving under paddle power, having previously made the mistake of motoring
Lock targets on pike for spring fishing
Northern pike make for some memorable early season action as the open water season gets underway
Fishing rules in Manitoba for 2024
As open water season approaches, it’s worth reviewing some of last year’s important regulatory changes. Some of these haven’t quite sunk in with the angling community. I was recently talking to an old fishing pal, who was regaling me with the tale of a lovely pike he had caught and taken home for dinner. After
New birds on the block
Some new birds are finding footholds in Manitoba
My September calendar always sets aside a few days for a duck hunting trip with my son. On those days we haunt the marshes, which we find more interesting than going after birds feeding in fields. Our chosen setting means that, when the ducks aren’t flying, we can enjoy time spotting other wetland wildlife. Last year’s hunt
Trumpeting victory for swan conservation
Trumpeter swans are returning to southern Manitoba after decades as a disappeared species
Back in 2007, I was fishing at my favourite wild rice lake in the Whiteshell when I spotted some big, white birds in the distance. I didn’t think much of it at first; I assumed they were pelicans. As I got closer, it became obvious that the size and shape were wrong. I got out
Who can build it? The beavers can
Putting the spotlight on Canada’s national animal
It’s hard to know where to begin when telling the story of beavers. One starting point is purely ecological, looking at their singular adaptations and resulting impact on their local environment. Another has more to do with humans and the evolution of Canada itself, which is appropriate for an animal that has become our national
PHOTOS: Clawing back Manitoba’s sturgeon
The fall and recovery of a local prehistoric survivor
If I were asked to name the most interesting fish in Manitoba, it would be the lake sturgeon. They have an ancient lineage that goes back to the time of the dinosaurs. In fact, a modern sturgeon looks pretty much like the fish that were swimming around all those eons ago. They are the biggest,
Wildlife stories in the snow
Winter is one of the best times to get a peek at the habits of wild critters
In my early 20s, I had the privilege of tagging along with Cree trappers in northern Manitoba. It was part of my youthful dream to learn how to live off the land, and who better to learn from than the people and communities that had been doing it for millennia? When it came to hunting
Get prepared for the 2023 deer hunt
The outlook for 2023, what’s changed this year and why you should get excited
The deer season is the finale of the hunting year for many hunters and, ahead of that season, hunters often look forward to traditions that are an essential part of the deer hunt. Afterward, gear is stowed, we dust off the ice-fishing equipment and we focus on bringing the fall bounty to the table. Muzzleloader
PHOTOS: Every hunter needs a Duck Slough
Some spots bring extra joy and anticipation because hunters have a history with them
The waterfowl hunting season is underway for Manitobans, so I have been sketching out possible trips. One thing is sure: Duck Slough is high on the list. My history with the unofficially dubbed wetland area started after I and my (at the time) young son, Mark, were heading home from a mediocre duck hunt. I
The hunter’s best friend
A hunting dog adds immeasurably to a hunt, as long as both hunter and canine know their tasks
I am on my third hunting dog and she is in the autumn of her hunting days. After three decades with a dog joining me on a grouse walk or in a duck blind, a bird hunt without my four-footed pal just doesn’t seem right. It’s not just because a well-trained dog adds tremendously to
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
