CANADA: MANITOBA - WESTERN MOOSE HUNT

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

-Black Bear: Can be taken as a target of opportunity at NO cost, with a tag already included.
-Wolves: Can be taken as targets of opportunity under the authority of any valid big game license.
-Fishing: Included as a free bonus at most locations, if desired or possible. A combination of Northern Pike, Walleye, Lake Trout, and Arctic Grayling inhabit these waters.

These Manitoba guided Moose hunts span 6.5 days. The routine is an early wake-up and pre-dawn departure for a full morning of 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 on 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 afterward, 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 while Moose hunting in Manitoba, 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 welcome.

Archery hunters are welcome, for anyone wishing to challenge themselves while Manitoba Moose hunting. 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.

Manitoba-guided Moose hunts take place in 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 of many of the nation’s great rivers carve through the landscape en route 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 here, so natural fires regenerate the vast forests, with the local Moose populations responding well to recently burnt areas with much 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 while Moose hunting in Manitoba!

During the moose rut, the weather is often quite pleasant and mild. Temperatures are cool but generally do not dip below freezing while Moose hunting, 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 winds 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 during these Manitoba guided Moose hunts.

The outfitter operates in a number of excellent 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 all the Moose hunting areas, promoting the best results in the field. The main lodge on a central lake does offer cabin accommodations. Regardless, all our Manitoba guided Moose hunting 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 before embarking on a morning of Moose hunting. Most hunters pack some snacks, such as candy, fruit, granola bars or sandwiches. Return to camp from a full morning of guided Moose 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: Manitoba Moose hunters are asked to arrive in the northern town of Thompson. Connect in Winnipeg if flying and be greeted at the Thompson airport and shuttled to a nearby hotel overnight. The various Manitoba Moose hunting areas are scattered 1-3 hours fly time north and east of Thompson, departing early the following morning.

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

Moose are carefully caped and labeled, 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). Any hunters flying home, and 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 Manitoba Moose hunting 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.

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