These hunts only operate during the two traditional most prime weeks of the moose rut. Week 1 occurs in late September, and Week 2 spans end of September into early October.

-Black Bear can be taken as a target of opportunity at NO cost, tag already included. 

-Wolves can be taken as targets of opportunity under the authority of any valid big game licence. 

-Fishing is included as a free bonus at all locations if desired or possible. A combination of Northern Pike, Walleye, Lake Trout and Arctic Grayling inhabit these waters.  

These hunts are 6.5 full days professional guided. The routine is an early wake up and pre-dawn departure for a full morning of moose hunting. Set up on high ground, glassing and calling, in combination with patrolling all navigable water by boat seeking moose or fresh sign along the shorelines. Visit small islands or traditional crossing areas and establish a “milk-run” focusing of the most promising looking areas for the rest of the week. Spend at least an hour or two in each spot calling and glassing. Before too long, a big bull moose is bound to expose himself. 

Return to camp for a big hearty brunch shortly before noon. Grab a quick nap afterwards, and head back out for the evening hunt. Spend the bulk of the time in the highest probability areas. Being the peak rut, calling is very effective, and several bulls are taken at archery range annually. Being boat based, these hunts are not physically strenuous, and can accommodate clients of nearly any fitness level.

Clients generally bring their own firearms, but on limited occasions a rifle can be rented, provided arrangements are made well in advance. Typical shooting distance can range from 50 to 350 yards. Popular calibers range from .270 to .30 caliber, with 7mm or .300 Win Mag commonly seen. Muzzleloader hunters are also welcomed.

Archery hunters are also welcome for anyone wishing to challenge themselves. Compound and traditional archery (60+ lbs. range) or crossbows are all legal. Archery hunters are encouraged to bring 8-12 arrows tipped with high quality 2-3 blade broadheads. Typical shooting range is 30-60+ yards.

This is the northern boreal, not far from the treeline which gives way to the tundra. Northeastern Manitoba is a generally flat region, but the lower reaches to many of the nation’s great rivers carve through the landscape enroute to Hudson Bay. These rivers, and a series of long linear ridges known as eskers, serve as traditional travel corridors for moose in the rut. The lowlands are a patchwork of densely vegetated mixed timber, wetland habitats and old regenerating burns. There is no logging, and fire cycles these vast forests, with Moose responding well to areas of recent regrowth. Tree species are mainly Black Spruce and Tamarack, with occasional Poplar and Birch stands, while Alder and Hazel line the wet areas. The forest floor is a carpet of different mosses and lichens adorned with mushrooms and berry bushes. Other species residing here include Lynx, Foxes, Marten, Beavers, Porcupines, Great Grey Owls, Bald Eagles, Loons, migrating waterfowl, and the wintering grounds for two Barren Ground Caribou herds. Closer to the coast it’s not uncommon to see Seals, Ptarmigan and Polar Bears!

During the moose rut, the weather are often quite pleasant and mild. Temperatures are cool, but generally do not dip below freezing, perhaps aside from some over-nights or at dawn. While light snow is not unheard of, precipitation this time of year is far more likely to fall as rain, but it is not a particularly rainy area or season. Storms or strong wind can suddenly blow in this time of year, but they often blow out as fast as they arrive. Be sure to look up at night as the northern lights are likely to dance across the sky, provided it’s not cloudy or overcast.

There are a number of hunting areas, and no two camps are the same. Most camps are a series of modular tents, which helps keep things mobile, allowing rotation of hunting areas for best results in the field. The main lodge on a central lake however, does offer cabin accommodations. Regardless, all camps have cots or bunk beds, wooden floors, generator powered electricity, propane powered stoves, fridges or freezers, a full kitchen, common areas with chairs and tables, motor boats, meat racks and firepits. Cabins tend to have indoor plumbing and showers, while tent camps have A-frame outhouses. Both options are comfortable, and keep hunters warm and dry. All guides also carry Garmin in-reach satellite communicators for safety and to remain in touch.

Wake up to a quick, light, pre-dawn breakfast of toast, yogurt, coffee or tea. Most hunters pack some snacks out hunting, such as candy, fruit, granola bars or sandwiches. Return to camp from a full morning of hunting to a big hearty brunch with all the popular items. Pancakes, bacon or sausages with eggs, hash browns, hot oatmeal, or Red River cereal, fruit, coffee and juice. Dinner is a lineup of fried chicken, pork chops, beef steak, spaghetti & meat sauce, mixed veggies, potatoes and salad. More often than not, hunters enjoy a couple wild game dinners with a fresh fish fry and Moose tenderloins! Save room for cakes or pie for dessert

Destination City: Hunters are asked to arrive in Thompson MB. Connect in Winnipeg if flying, and be greeted at the Thompson airport and shuttled to a nearby hotel overnight. The various hunting areas are scattered 1-3 hours flight north and east of Thompson, departing early the following morning.  

Travel Suggestions:  Thompson, MB is easily reached either by road (Hwy 6 several hours drive north from Winnipeg), or by Calm Air, which offers short daily direct flights from Winnipeg. 

Moose are carefully caped and labelled, with hides hung on meat racks in the shade while in camp, along with the deboned meat. Antlers are removed with basic taxidermy preparations made. Clients are welcome to return home with their trophies and/or meat (usually most feasible if driving vs flying). Week 1 hunters flying home, not able to take their meat and trophies with them personally can have them stored in Thompson in a walk-in cooler/freezer. After the season, the outfitter delivers all trophies directly to a capable taxidermist in Manitoba who can either do the complete work, or simply prep, permit, crate and deliver trophies to an expeditor to be shipped. Turnaround time ranges from 6-12 months, depending on the product. Meat can also be delivered to a local butcher for specialized or detailed meat products if desired, which can also be packaged and shipped.