Once an animal is downed and secured, field dressing should follow right after to avoid meat spoilage.

Counting down to the deer hunt

The biggest hunting season in Manitoba kicks off in November: Gear advice and strategies to bring home the venison this year

Hunting gear and strategies you might want to use to bring home the venison in 2024. Manitoba’s general rifle season for deer starts Nov. 11 in most areas.

Nature enthusiasts find a smooth green snake during a visit to a protected area in the Lauder Sandhills.

Lauder Sandhills and Broomhill ripe for discovery

The Lauder Sandhills and Broomhill wildlife areas are first-class options to spot threatened bird species and interesting plants and take in some hiking too

Nestled in southwestern Manitoba, the Lauder Sandhills and Broomhill wildlife areas are first-class options to spot threatened bird species and interesting plant species.


Fall colours pop at the International Peace Gardens

Fall colours pop at the International Peace Gardens

As a day trip option, the site on the U.S.-Canada border mixes outdoor recreation with history and curated garden spaces

If you're looking for a fall day trip, the turning leaves, hiking trails, curated gardens, conservatory cacti displays and more at the International Peace Gardens are a strong contender.

Road trip idea takes the literary route

Road trip idea takes the literary route

Step into the pages of Manitoba’s bookish history by touring the birthplaces of beloved stories

This summer staycation idea steps into the pages of Manitoba's literary history by touring the birthplaces of beloved novels and local authors such as Nellie McClung, Margaret Laurence, Martha Brooks and Gabrielle Roy.


Tim Sopuck and Devin Borus pose with a pike they took through the ice on a large dead bait.

Lock targets on pike for spring fishing

Northern pike make for some memorable early season action as the open water season gets underway

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

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


Coloured leaves are reflected in the Vermillion Reservoir.

Autumn explorations: It’s worth heading north

Dauphin and the north end of Riding Mountain National Park offer stunning fall colours and activities

If your time in Riding Mountain National Park has been limited to the Clear Lake or Wasagaming area, you’re missing prime day trip opportunities to the north. The north side of the park and Dauphin region feature many scenic viewpoints (see slideshow below), adventures and chances for cross-country exploration. And the time has never been

The swinging bridge is a more recent addition to the facilities at Eternal Springs.

Hidden attraction worth the hunt

A revived Eternal Springs recreational area is tough to find but a great destination

If you live in western Manitoba or are driving through that region, take a short side trip to Eternal Springs, located in a wooded, almost-hidden ravine several kilometres north of Oak Lake. Plan a picnic or a hike or take fishing gear. This spot was first developed as a recreational area in the early 1970s


Samantha Smyth and Tim Sopuck with her first catfish, caught from shore on the Red River.

In praise of the unloved fish

Manitoba’s waters are filled with fish that are interesting, challenging to catch, tasty and tragically ignored

Most local anglers would look at my fishing calendar and wonder why I’m taking a pass on walleye so often. At the risk of getting angry emails for saying so, I find them a little boring. Sure, they taste great, but so do other species. Walleye don’t put up much of a fight and the

From June excitement to summer introductions with novice anglers, this species has plenty to offer.

Setting sights on smallmouth bass

From June excitement to summer introductions with novice anglers, this species has plenty to offer

I have been drawn to fishing for smallmouth bass for much of my life. They are exciting to catch and live in beautiful places. In my case, they are also a part of family memories. My parents owned a modest cottage on the Winnipeg River, built with used two-by-fours and sweat equity. Dad, whose family