Spectacular hunting in Hudson Bay Lowlands

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/09/2014 (4099 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Most of my waterfowl hunting is done in the southern reaches of our province, in stubble fields or around the edges of potholes, so a trip to Kaska Goose Camp in the Hudson Bay Lowlands was certainly a treat.

If you’ve ever been curious about visiting a Manitoba lodge for a waterfowling experience, here’s what you can expect.

 

Day 1

At daybreak, climb aboard a Cessna Grand Caravan in Winnipeg en route to Hudson Bay. In just over three hours, you’ll catch sight of the shoreline and likely see your first flocks of migrating geese. After landing on the gravel strip, it’s a short walk to the cluster of cabins along the Kaskattama River. Sit down to a hearty breakfast in the common dining room, get settled into your cabin and make plans for the afternoon.

It was calm, warm and sunny when we arrived, so some fishing was in order. Sea-run brook trout populate the river, and when the water is relatively low, fishing is good. The fish start to come into their spawning colours toward the end of September, making for some spectacular photos before releasing them back into the river.

All guests gather in the dining room for a spectacular three-course meal every evening. It’s a good idea to waddle back to your cabin and settle in for the night soon after. Morning comes early.

 

Days 2-4

Coffee is delivered to your cabin at 5 a.m. sharp, accompanied by a verbal weather report from camp manager Randy Duvell. Breakfast is at 5:30 a.m.

Soon after, you’re loading up to head out for the day. The landscape includes remnants of the boreal, a bit of taiga and then the coastal lowlands, all within about three kilometres. Hunting is generally unguided at Kaska, but helpful hands Bob and Gerry were always quick to offer pointers, set decoys and haul gear as we were shuttled out via all-terrain vehicles to blinds near the mouth of the Kaskattama at Hudson Bay.

Before you can settle into the blinds, the birds are swirling. These are migrating birds, meaning they are generally on their way south (with perhaps a bit of a western swing). Canada geese, Ross’s geese and snow geese (in both white and blue colourations) are ridiculously plentiful. Because of the ongoing high populations of snow geese, the daily limit is 50, and there’s no limit on overall possession.

It’s your choice if you’d like to come back to camp for lunch (about a 15-minute ride) or pack a bag lunch. Hunting continues until pickup time around 5 p.m.

Appetizers are delivered to your cabin at 6 p.m., among them a platter of marinated and grilled goose breasts served with a variety of dipping sauces that will disappear quickly.

 

Day 5

There’s usually a little time to whet a line before the plane arrives to whisk guests back to Winnipeg at around 9 a.m., or you can simply take the opportunity to thank your hosts for a spectacular trip.

 

Options: A helicopter is at the ready at camp. For an additional fee, hunters can choose to be dropped off at blinds very close to the Hudson Bay coast, where hunting can even be more eventful. The added bonus is the trip includes a flyover of an area where polar bears tends to congregate at this time of year. On a 20-minute trip, we spotted 40 polar bears as well as woodland caribou and moose.

 

Shel Zolkewich writes about the outdoors, travel and food when she’s not playing outside, traveling or eating. You can reach her with your comments at shel@shelzolkewich.com.