As soon as the winter snow melts, we begin bear hunting season in Manitoba. From mid May though June – and again in the fall. While you are preparing for your big hunt, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
There is a thrill in hunting big game, especially black bear, although, the adventure is not for everyone. Successful hunting is a science and more than a sport. A black bear yields approximately 30%of it weight in edible meat. Bear fat is also a great product generating a quality cooking liquid. Its coat is also a luxury prize. A successful bear hunt does not come easily. Previous hunting experience will serve you well and knowledge of this species and the environment will serve you even better.
You should plan your hunt in an area you know well or engage the services of a qualified hunting guide. You will want to be well prepared with adequate hunting gear based on the probable weather for the area. Depending on where you are hunting the season is likely to be cold so your gear should be protective as well as functional. You need to be highly camouflaged and your clothing should be designed to minimize noise and block scent. The vision of a bear is similar to that of a human although they tend to be near-sighted. They do startle easily to movement so as a hunter, you need to be well hidden and extremely patient with restrained movement. Bear are also endowed with keen hearing. They will hear the rustle of your clothing, the squashing of your boot in the mud, and your conversation with fellow hunters. Again, clothing is key. A quality fleece is a fabric that is both warm and “crinkle-free” making it a good choice for any hunt. The bear was also gifted with a remarkable sense of smell which will require the skilled hunter to prepare long before donning the scent-blocking clothing. You should avoid deodorants, sprays, scented laundry detergents, and contact with domestic pets.
All hunters should exercise care and safety. Make sure your gear is appropriate for the type of hunt and your clothing is properly fitting. Make sure that you are always downwind from where you expect to see bears. Be sure to hunt with a team and have a fully charged, long range communication mechanism on hand – remember you are hunting in a remote location; your cell phone might not have a signal.
Bear hunting tours in Manitoba take place starting in May. Each tour lasts for seven days; so be prepared with plenty of necessities to last for a week or more. 
One of the most common questions about bear is: “Can I eat it?” Of course! It’s perfectly delicious and safe, if not unusual. Experienced hunters may even tell you that it’s a finer meat. Bear meat was a staple of the frontier explorers, and since the bear hunting season has been elongated by many U.S. states, hunters and foodies are on the prowl for interesting bear meat recipes.
It’s been called one of the more flavorful wild meats you’ll ever come across. When hunting bear, you will need to field dress it quickly and then keep it as cool as possible until it can be properly cut and stored. The butchering process is similar to how you would butcher a deer with steaks, roasts, and ground meat for burgers and sausages.
Once you’ve set yourself down in your tree stand and you’re practically dug in to wait the few necessary hours until the perfect shot happens to come across your path, the last thing you want to feel is Old Man Winter getting aggressive. It’s important to stay warm in cold weather hunting, not just due to common sense, but because you won’t want to ruin your preparations by having to go home early from the cold. Here are some suggestions to help keep you warm this season:
The beauty of hunting in Manitoba is that the seasons never cease. Throughout the summer, fall, winter, and spring, there is always game to be hunted in our great forests. As wildlife populations ebb and flow, the seasons are expanded and contracted to fit the need. However in an average year, each season is steadily predictable. For further questions and information on hunting seasons, contact us or view the official Manitoba site.
Here are some things to keep in mind about the 2014 hunting in Manitoba:
As individuals who have a great appreciation for the outdoors, it’s really important to us that our kids learn to find the same values in nature as we do. Whether it’s fishing, or boating, or hunting, or even just being outdoors; influencing your children to appreciate these same activities is essential. Starting your kids out with activities like fishing is a great way to get them to enjoy the outdoors. Fishing is safe, fun, and a really great bonding experience. Here are some tips on successfully getting your kids involved:
Before you sign up for one of our Burntwood Lake hunting tours, you should find out if you are eligible for a hunting license in the Providence of Manitoba. Our laws are quite similar to those throughout the rest of Canada and the United States, but getting yourself organized is the best way to ensure that obtaining your license is an easy process. Here’s what you need to know about getting your hunting license in Manitoba.
Many fishermen have used both live and artificial bait on various fishing trips; but a successful catch can depend on many different variables, so it may be difficult to tell which bait is actually more effective.
Though there are no absolute answers to this question; both types of bait have their pros and cons. If you are going to choose between one type or the other; you can make the most educated decision as to which is best for you by knowing the various advantages and disadvantages.
Artificial Bait/Lures
Fish naturally go for bait when they are hungry. Artificial lures have the ability to create certain physical actions that can lure fish even when they are not looking for food. This gives the fisherman more options to secure a successful catch.
There are lures that will vibrate and make noises that can be detected by fish from long distances; and topwater lures, like crankbait, which mimic the actions of a fleeing batfish. Artificial lures also allow fishermen to travel distances in large bodies of water while in search for a good location.
One artificial lure can last for many fishing trips tucked away in a tackle box; this is not an option when using live bait.
Live Bait
Of course, artificial lures are made to mimic live bait. This is why many fishermen prefer to use the real thing. They naturally have a scent that fish are drawn to. Avid fishermen know that there are some varieties of fish that will only react to live bait. This advantage makes live bait the preferable choice when fish simply are not biting, or waters are too cold.
Expense can be debated. Artificial bait can be used multiple times, if you have an unsuccessful outing; however, many varieties can be expensive to purchase. While live bait is often pretty cheap.
Though artificial lures can be reused, they often get lost and you will need to purchase more which can get costly over time. Live bait is the simplest to use, which makes them perfect for novices. It’s most fun to use live bait when teaching children to fish. You can even search for your own bait; which many outdoorsmen enjoy as a hobby.
In conclusion; both live and artificial bait will catch fish; you just need to find out which type works best for you. 
After your hunt takes place, the best part is enjoying the fruits of your labor. Moose venison is high in iron and low in fat. Talk to your butcher about creating a variety of options from your moose meat. You can have it turned into steaks, ground, or jerky. Moose has a strong, gamey taste, and is a little tougher than beef, for instance. Therefore, grinding your moose meat and making it into burgers or meatballs with some other flavors is a great idea. Below, we include a recipe for preparing the ground meat for burgers or meatballs, whichever you prefer.
For this recipe, you’ll need:
3 pounds ground moose meat
¼ cup minced garlic
¼ cup soy sauce
½ cup honey
2 tablespoons garlic powder
3 tablespoons onion powder
1 ½ teaspoons chili powder
2 tablespoons canola oil
Preheat your over to 350 degrees F. First, stir together minced garlic, soy sauce, and honey in a small saucepan. After they are thoroughly mixed, add in the powders. Bring this mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat before reducing heat to medium-low and letting it cook at a low simmer for 15 minutes. Set aside. If you are making meatballs, roll the ground moose into meatballs in portions equivalent to about 2 tablespoons. This recipe should make about 48 meatballs. Next, heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the meatballs in batches until browned and cooked through. Once your meat has drained, put your meatballs or patties into a baking dish. Pour the sauce over your meat and make sure it’s well coated. Bake the meat for about 20 minutes so it absorbs the sauce. If you are making burgers, put meat into patties and cook on the grill or as desired. For some amazing topping choices, go classic with BLT, or try avocado, onion rings, mushrooms. Try an alfredo sauce dressing – delicious! Enjoy! What are some of your favorite moose venison recipes?
Get ready for a world of fun with family and friends. Camping in Manitoba is extremely exhilarating and life changing. There are things here you will never see anywhere else. Become one with nature and hold on for a whirlwind experience. Just remember, when you decide to have a camping trip, you need to make sure you have the proper accommodations for you and your family or friends.
You do not want to be in the middle of the wilderness to find out that you have a ten that is made for 5 people and you need sleeping space for 6. The truth about tent camping, is you really only use the tent for sleeping. You cannot shower, eat, or use the bathroom inside of a tent so you just want to make sure you are not overcompensating. It really is a balancing act between being comfortable and having too much gear to carry.
When starting your search for the perfect tent you should first figure out how many people you want to have room for inside the tent. If you have a family of 4 you may want to plan on 6 just in case one of the kids wants to bring a friend. Now, plan on the other gear you will bring and plan on space for that. Of course, you will want to pack lightly as you will not want to carry it all, but you still want to have space inside your tent for safekeeping. Some places require you have your extra items locked up to keep you safe from the bears and the bears safe from your items.
There are different styles of tents to choose from including bubble tents, tents with separate rooms, and hard outside tents. Bubble tents are suitable for a couple people, up to maybe 4 but anything beyond that you need to have a bigger tent, bubbles can only go so high. If you have a family you may want to opt for a tent with a room divider so you and your significant other can have SOME alone time from the kids! Do your research and make the right choice for you and your situation. 