Saskatchewan Camping Online Reservations Open

April 17, 2017 / galen / Camping, Outdoors

Online camping reservations for all Saskatchewan Provincial Parks are now open on the Sask parks Reserve-A-Site page at: www.saskparks.net/Reserve-a-Site.

Fees have been increased this year but with plenty of hype around the Canada 150 celebrations, expect demand to still be strong for camping spots this year. The fee increases are across the board including individual campsites, group camping and seasonal campground reservations.

The dates for online reservations opening are:

April 4: Blackstrap, Pike Lake
April 6: Echo Valley, Rowan’s Ravine.
April 7: Duck Mountain, Good Spirit Lake, Greenwater Lake.
April 8: Crooked Lake, Moose Mountain.
April 9: Cypress Hills.
April 10: The Battlefords, Saskatchewan Landing.
April 11: Meadow Lake.
April 12: Bronson Forest, Chitek Lake, Lac La Ronge, Makwa Lake.
April 13: Candle Lake, Narrow Hills, Great Blue Heron.

Alberta Open 13 Lakes for Catch n Keep

April 14, 2017 / galen / Fishing

The Alberta Fish and Game Association has altered the rules that have been in place on 13 lakes since 1996. Previously only catch and release fishing was allowed.

In order to manage the number of fish harvested a draw system has been put in place which will allow anglers to begin keeping specified fish from the lakes beginning May 15. (Many other waters are open for fishing April 1st.) The results of the draw are to be released May 8th. Anglers can apply to the draw indicating their choice of up to 3 lakes, a species, and a size range. Apply for the draw at: www.albertarelm.com/licensing.page

The Alberta lakes being re-opened for Catch n Keep fishing are:

Bourque Lake – Walleye
Hilda Lake – Walleye
Pine Coulee Reservoir – Walleye
Burnstick Lake – Walleye
Gleniffer Reservoir – Walleye
Gull Lake – Walleye
Lac Bellevue – Walleye
Lac La Biche – Walleye
Manatokan – Pike
Bangs Lake – Pike
Pine Coulee Reservoir – Pike
Magee Lake – Pike
Strubel Lake – Yellow Perch

You can follow more on Alberta Fishing and Hunting at: www.mywildalberta.ca

Shoot the 3rd Bird

March 26, 2017 / galen / Duck Hunting, Goose Hunting, Hunting

Spring Snow Goose season is not far away. Technically the season is already open as of March 15th but the snow geese do not pay attention to the hunting season regulations and they don’t start their journey north to the arctic breeding grounds until there is enough open water and open fields to sustain their multiple thousand bird flocks. That usually means 2nd to 3rd week of April before we see any good numbers here in Central Saskatchewan. But with what seems like an early spring this year, we are getting the blinds and decoys organized and guns inspected and oiled. Oh yeah, stocking up on ammo as well. Prepping for spring hunting always gets my running through some mental images of what it is like sitting in the blind, watching the geese drop their feet, and then the adrenaline rush at the call of “Take ‘Em! Take ‘Em! Take ‘Em!”.

I’ve had the chance to hunt with few of the most respected waterfowlers in North America. Snow Goose hunting legends such as Jim Jones and Waterfowl hunting show hosts such as Jared Brown (DU TV), Mike Checkett (DU TV), Buck McNeely (The Outdoorsman), and Chris Dorsey (Orion Media) . I have also hunted with some great hunters, some great shooters, who aren’t famous but can knock down geese and ducks with anyone. One thing I have learned is to not try to act like you know everything about hunting when in the presence of the masters. That doesn’t mean play stupid, it means don’t try to be the expert. Instead, listen, watch and learn.

We don’t often get this many choices.

A couple of observations come to mind from hunting with Jim Jones and Jared Brown. It has to do with selection of birds to shoot when there are multiple targets. Every now and then I like to set the gun aside and take out my video camera. While doing so I noticed that often when there are multiple bird kills, it’s the close bird that dies last. Especially with 4 or 5 guns in the blinds, I’ve noticed this to be a trend.

How to Shoot a Triple

To shoot a triple, meaning one hunter kills 3 birds, takes some quick decision making, proper choices, and ultimately excellent shooting. I have shot a few triples myself, doing it the hard way. After learning the right way to do it, my multiple bird shoots have increased. My approach used to be to make sure I got one (like the front end of a double play in baseball) by shooting the easiest to kill bird first then get another by shooting the next and then hoping to drop a third at 80 yards while it’s hightailing it away from the gun blasts. My success rate on the first bird is pretty good but the second and third attempts drop off quickly. Part of the issue I like to shoot my old Browning pump shot gun so I am slower to cycle to the second and third shots than when I shoot my Beretta semi-auto. Don’t ask me to justify that choice. I guess i just like the pump action and the extra half a second it forces you to prepare for the next shot.

Shoot the third bird to shoot a triple.

But now the new method of shooting a triple goose or duck kill. Start by shooting the third bird closest to you, then shoot the second then the close bird. On average, the shot length will be shorter, which drastically increases your chances of dropping three birds. Let’s say you pull on the group of birds when the lead bird is 35 yards out, a comfortable shooting distance for many of us waterfowl hunters. With normal spacing in a group of birds, the third bird is going to be about 40 to 45 yards out, still a very make able shot, especially if the birds are still in landing mode, wings cupped, feet dragging. One the first shot, birds flare and try to climb and accelerate away from danger, putting shot number two at about 50 yards, the 40 yards it was at when you shot bird number one, plus 10 yards of get away flight. That should put the final bird at approximately 55 to 60 yards. Tougher shot, especially when it’s tail feathers may be facing you now, but definitely in killable range. Contrast this with where the third bird would be, adding roughly 20 to 25 yards to where it was on the first shot, and that puts the last shot at 75 to 80 yards.

A Good Day of Goose Shooting

Learning from the Wisdom of Others

Something else I have learned from Jim Jones is the answer to the question how big can a snow goose spread be? The answer has more to do with the size and capacity of your trailer. With enough hunters, Jim will empty the trailer meaning there will be up to 1500 decoys on the ground, stretching a few hundred yards. At first I thought that Jim was insane. Turns out that might be a little bit true as well, but mostly Jim is cunning. The monster spread proved it worth that day in Central Saskatchewan as we had 4 snow goose tornadoes over our heads.

Welcome to Spring

March 21, 2017 / galen / Fishing, Fly Fishing, Goose Hunting, Hunting, Ice Fishing

Spring is now officially here. In reality, the arrival of Spring is highly variable across the prairie Provinces. Southern Alberta has anglers reaching for their rods and tackle boxes as seasons open up on some of the mountain streams while others will remain closed in May/June. Make sure you check your regulations for what waters are open. I have a number of flies and my fly rods at the ready to go join a buddy from Lethbridge and catch some fresh mountain trout in the foothills waters. As you move further east and north, most lakes are still covered with a health coat of ice but thin ice conditions in some southern zones are dangerous and in need of caution. I was fishing central Saskatchewan last week and buried the ice auger shaft at one point meaning the ice is still 3-1/2 feet thick. The later half of March is often the peak of the ice fishing bite. All the shacks should have been removed by now but portable huts are still usually permitted as long at they are removed when you leave the ice for the day.

Spring also brings the Snow Goose flock control exercises. March 15th is the season opening date in both Alberta and Saskatchewan, although you may not see any huntable flocks of snow geese until mid-April. Early season flocks of snow geese can be hunted in Alberta often as early as the beginning of April. Snow geese will rise and fall in latitude with the availability of large open water and food supply. Because flock sizes are typically in the 10’s of thousands, both of these need to be in large quantity or the birds will simply hold where the food and water is available. It’s not uncommon for birds to move north, even all the way to central Saskatchewan, then retreat to North Dakota if there is a significant early to mid April snow fall. Canada geese have been making their presence known in Central Saskatchewan for several weeks already, but in small flocks of 10 or less so open water can be sheet water in a field or a slough edge and food sources only need to support a few beaks, not thousands. of course, only snow geese (including Ross’s Geese) are legal to hunt in the Spring.

Bear seasons don’t open up until mid April so no need to get out the rifles and bows, unless you want to shoot some target practice.

Because of the highly variable conditions, Spring hunting and Spring fishing can be dangerous times of the year. So get out there, be careful, and enjoy the Prairie Outdoors.

Don’t Lose Your Truck While Ice-Fishing

March 10, 2017 / galen / Fishing, Ice Fishing

Some recent stories from this ice fishing season serve as reminders that ice conditions can vary across the same body of water. On water bodies with flowing water, including rivers and river fed lakes, the higher rates of flow in some areas can leave spots of thinner ice. On rivers, watch for areas where water flows over or around obstructions including man made obstructions such as bridge piers as the ice immediately before and after is often thinner. Where water flows down a set of rapids or over a weir the ice can be thinner for up to a kilometer or more. Just witness the mostly ice free section of the South Saskatchewan river flowing through Saskatoon this winter. The power plant at the south end of town releases warmer water and the weir in the center of the city roughly between downtown and the university breaks up the formation of ice. Add to this the many bridge piers and the result is very inconsistent or complete lack of ice this winter.

Many lakes are fed by rivers, underground springs, or both. The under surface flow of the river current through a lake will mean thinner ice, especially at the mouths of the river and any narrow passages. Underground springs can also produce inconsistent ice thickness. During warming cycles, these underground springs can run stronger and any snow melt on surrounding hills can produce runoff streams that weaken the ice up to several hundred meters from shore.

If you are unfamiliar with a body of water, play it safe and follow the lead of local anglers and stick to the wheel tracks of others.

Red River, Manitoba

Buffalo Pound, Saskatchewan

Lost Mountain Lake, Saskatchewan

Ice Shack Removal

March 9, 2017 / galen / Fishing, Ice Fishing

With the recent blizzard rolling across Saskatchewan and Manitoba, it’s hard to imagine the the ice shack removal dates are quickly approaching.

Fishing last weekend and earlier this week in central Saskatchewan, the ice was over 3 feet thick, approaching 3-1/2 feet, nearly at the limits of my ice auger shaft. Even with the recently mild weather, prior to the blizzard we had highs approaching 10 degrees, we haven’t lost any ice yet, just snow melt on top of the ice.

Manitoba Ice Shelter Removal Dates

In Manitoba, ice-fishing shelters must be removed by March 12 on the Red River, March 31 across the rest of southern Manitoba and by April 15 for the rest of Manitoba.

Saskatchewan Ice Shelter Removal Dates

In Saskatchewan, ice fishing shacks must be removed by March 15 in the South Fishing Zone and March 31st in the North.

In most area, the use of pop-up shelters (such as shown below) are permitted up to the end of March, as long as the shelter is erected and removed during the same day outing. That is, it can not be left unattended.

Remember, despite the annual dates that are posted by the provincial governments regarding ice-shack removal dates, always check the thickness of ice before going out. Never walk on ice that is less than 10 cm (4 in.) thick and do not drive on ice that is less than 30 cm (12 in.) thick.

Free Fishing in Saskatchewan

February 15, 2017 / galen / Fishing, Ice Fishing

This coming long weekend, Saturday February 18th, Sunday the 19th, and Monday the 20th, in conjunction with Family Day, anglers can fish in Saskatchewan without need for a license. Of course, it’s ice fishing season so bundle up a bit and get out on the lake. The weather forecast is for mild temperatures so it should be busy out there.

Note that free fishing does not apply to National Parks in Saskatchewan and if you want to transport fish out of Saskatchewan you need to posses a valid fishing license.

SaskatchewanDeerHunting.com

February 6, 2017 / galen / Deer Hunting, Hunting

Saskatchewan Deer Hunting is a new web service matching avid Goose hunters to Saskatchewan Deer hunting Outfitters. The service is 100% Free for Hunters to use. This new website uses a network of Approved Outfitters who have joined the program and matches them to the hunter’s requirements for number of hunters, dates, as well as other criteria.

See more at SaskatchewanDeerHunting.com

5 Ways to Keep Your Feet Warm While Ice Fishing

February 3, 2017 / galen / Fishing, Ice Fishing

When your feet get cold, your day on the ice is done. If you want to extend your day so you have time to catch more fish, use these simple tricks to keep your feet warm. First of all, in general, dress like it’s 15 degrees colder than actual temperature, from head to toe. You can always take off too much clothes but it’s hard to add clothes you don’t have. Remember, you are standing on a three foot thick block of ice. If the wind is also blowing, that bites through you quick. So try these tips for warm feet.

Double up socks and wear good boots. Just because you can wear a pair of shoes for the walk to the mail box, don’t think these will stand the test of hours on the cold lake. Get good quality thermal socks and double them up if you can fit them in your boots.
Wear your cold water waders. If you think having your lower body wrapped in insulation is a good thing when standing in a flowing stream, take that out on the hardwater and you may never go back.
Put hot shots under your feet. These are the little heater packs that give off heat for about 4 hours. They may make it more uncomfortable to walk, but if your toes are warmer, that’s a good trade.
Use a 2 x 6 block of wood, under your feet. Place this between your feet and the ice when you are sitting on your bucket or chair and it will act as an insulating barrier. Cut a piece just short enough that it will fit in your ice fishing bucket and bring it with you.
Plastic bag your feet. This old trick has been used to keep feet dry for decades. It also keep them warm by not letting heat escape.

Keep your feet warm. Fish longer!

Saskatchewan Goose Hunting

January 26, 2017 / galen / Duck Hunting, Goose Hunting, Hunting

Saskatchewan Goose Hunting is a new web service matching avid Goose hunters to Saskatchewan Goose hunting Outfitters. The service is 100% Free for Hunters to use. This new website uses a network of Approved Outfitters who have joined the program and matches them to the hunter’s requirements for number of hunters, dates, as well as other criteria.

See more at SaskatchewanGooseHunting.com

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