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2016 Fall Moose Hunt

The fall hunting season started off with fisherman, bear hunters and a duck hunter. The bear hunters didn’t fare so well as the bears would not come to the baits no matter what we put in them. The fishermen kept track of the fish caught a total of 377 in 4 days! Our duck hunter fed us his bacon wrapped duck for the week. Can’t get enough of this delicacy! When he wasn’t hunting he was out looking for big northern. For the amount of time fishing there was some nice pike 13 over 30” with the biggest being 39”.

The moose hunters arrived on September 17th. The week proved to be successful with 2 bull moose tags filled. Mid-week, guide Leo had a moose coming and another smaller one swam from behind them across the river and his guest filled his tag. The next day, guide Johnny called a nice moose in. The hunter had the horns and head in the scope at 30 yards and didn’t feel he had a good enough shot. The following day, Leo had another one coming to the call and the hunter dropped the shooting stick and that was it for the bull moose.

Rain, high winds, and fog slowed down the second week of hunting. Mother nature at its finest! This didn’t stop our guides and guests from getting out there. Joe took his new guests out and saw a bull in the river but didn’t get close enough to get a shot. Tuesday was calm in the morning and guide Joe heard 2 in the Hunting River. Guide Leo and guest heard a call from down the Burntwood River but couldn’t get close enough for a shot.

The third week started off the same, heavy fog in the mornings and later in the week 25mph winds and 10” of snow! Guide Leo and guest headed for the spot he had heard the moose down the Burntwood River and it paid off with a smaller bull. Our successful hunter also saw a huge black bear and bought a tag in case their paths crossed again.

Guide Johnny went back to his secret spot where he had heard a moose on the first week but it was scared off. After calling for a few hours, the moose came back out of the bush and his guest was able to fill his tag with a beautiful 16-point rack.

In all it was a good season with great guests, good food and lots of laughs. Hope to see you all next year!

-Camp Manager Jim

monica jim and louise — Cook Monica, Camp Manager Jim, “Smiley” Louise

2015 Ice Cutting at Burntwood Lake Lodge

Ice cutting transportation at it’s finest! Picture taken in front of main lodge

Few blocks of ice cut at this point, stacked and ready to be transported to the ice house

Brad making the load for the 6 wheeler (or himself) a bit lighter!

Ice picks to pull ice out of water! Not an easy job hey Derek!??

Every year around March, Brad and a few friends (sometimes Larry and Sandra) need a little fresh air and exercise. As luck would have it, a good layer of ice had formed on Burntwood Lake, 20 yards from the main docks at the Lodge. Perfect for their annual ice cutting ritual!

This age old tradition involves cutting ice blocks into ~ 3’ lengths using a chain saw. Once cut, the blocks are retrieved with ice picks and transported to the ice house using an ATV 6 wheeler. Approximately 300 blocks are put up and covered with plastic and sawdust to insulate. This ice is then chipped daily by the guests or guides and used to keep their refreshments cool during those hot summer days out on the lake while reeling in those Trophy Pike and Walleye. There’s nothing better than local lake ice for keeping things as natural as it can be!

Looking forward to seeing you all this summer! 🙂

Staying Warm in Cold Weather Hunting

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:

EAT THE RIGHT FOODS

While eating healthy is obvious for a multitude of reasons, specific nutritious foods have been shown to work the best in cold weather situations. Having oatmeal for breakfast, peanut butter for lunch, and pasta for dinner will help sustain you. Since these foods are rich in complex carbohydrates, they break down slowly and keep you sustained.

STAY IN SHAPE

Much like the previous suggestion, this is kind of a no-brainer, but staying fit can help you in more ways than the obvious. First, you don’t want to start sweating while in the tree stand, as many people believe the scent will keep the prey away. Second, the perspiration will eventually cool and dampen your underclothes, and if you’re sitting somewhere with a high wind chill then you’re risking your health. Keep your underclothes dry by avoiding perspiration while getting to your spot in the first place.

LOOSEN THE BOOTS

You might think that you should strap your boots on as tightly as possible, but in actuality, once you’re set up in your stand, the opposite would be more beneficial. By loosening your boots you can improve blood flow and keep your feet warmer. Wear heavy socks and loosen the strings, then you’ll start to see the difference.

HAVE THE RIGHT GEAR

Invest in camo made specifically for cold weather hunting. Cabela’s has a wide selection to choose from. As you know, think about layering up so you can adjust temperatures as needed. Look into fabrics that are moisture wicking. Looks for fabrics like wool to keep you warm and dry. Also be prepared to get snowed and rained on. Cabela’s also has a large selection of wet weather camo.

Staying Warm in Cold Weather Hunting

EAT THE RIGHT FOODS

STAY IN SHAPE

LOOSEN THE BOOTS

HAVE THE RIGHT GEAR

Hunting Seasons for Manitoba

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:

White tail deer

The season started at the beginning of September, so we’re well into the deer season. This year, the bag limit has been changed one buck per license. In addition, the government has lowered the party limit from four to two. Foreign hunters are not permitted. This is because the deer population is exceptionally low this year in the Manitoba area.

Elk

For general elk hunters, the restrictions are much the same as they have been in the past. They have changed from allowing one antlerless elk to a much looser “One Elk” rule. Both male and female moose can be hunted at a rate of one per license. Landowner season has also been cancelled.

Gray Wolf

Gray wolf season is back with a bag limit of one per license.

Hunter Laws

The restrictions on hunting wear have also recently changed to allow hunters to wear hats with non-orange brims. Hunter Orange must be the primary color on the rest of the head covering, however.

These laws are current as of October 2014, for a complete list of up to date hunting laws in Manitoba, visit the Manitoba Hunting Guide page.

Hunting Seasons for Manitoba

Here are some things to keep in mind about the 2014 hunting in Manitoba:

White tail deer

Elk

Gray Wolf

Gray wolf season is back with a bag limit of one per license.

Hunter Laws

The restrictions on hunting wear have also recently changed to allow hunters to wear hats with non-orange brims. Hunter Orange must be the primary color on the rest of the head covering, however.

These laws are current as of October 2014, for a complete list of up to date hunting laws in Manitoba, visit the Manitoba Hunting Guide page.

How To Get Your Kids Into Fishing

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:

Get them off technology

Before you hand your kids a video game, hand them a fishing pole. With new age technology and gadgets it can be hard to pry your kids aware from the screen, but in doing so, you can create amazing memories to be cherished for a lifetime. Fishing is one of those rare activities you can do with the whole family where every single person is involved and it’s peaceful enough to be able to enjoy each other’s company.

Keep it simple

You want to simplify the first experience so that the focus is on catching with the gear that matches the age range and probable skill of the child. For ages four to six, you will want a short rod of no more than 5 feet in length and with a flip-bale spinning reel. Your local outdoors store will certainly sell age appropriate gear.

Practice first

Before you head out on the water, have your child practice casting off in the backyard. This can save a lot of time and possible frustration on the boat later. Before you go out on the boat, practice off the dock.

Start small

A local pond or slow-flowing River is a good start for a fishing location. These bodies of water are typically stocked with a variety of easy to catch fish. Don’t take your kids fishing and expect to hook enough fish to feed yourselves for the year. It’s more about the bonding, less about the success of catches. Your children might not want to stay out on the lake all day, and that is totally understandable. Remain patient and flexible.

As your child becomes a more skilled angler, you can venture out to different spots where harder to catch fish thrive.

Burntwood Lake Lodge is a great place to visit once your child has had some practice with fishing. To book your family fishing vacation, give us a call.

How To Get Your Kids Into Fishing

Get them off technology

Keep it simple

Practice first

Start small

As your child becomes a more skilled angler, you can venture out to different spots where harder to catch fish thrive.

Burntwood Lake Lodge is a great place to visit once your child has had some practice with fishing. To book your family fishing vacation, give us a call.

Hunting License Requirements for Manitoba Hunting

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.

Fees are included

The first thing you should know is that your hunting license fees are included in the price of our tours. So don’t worry about going ahead and getting one yourself. In addition to your license, each hunter is also guaranteed a trophy Bull Moose tag. Keep in mind that if you are hunting, your license will be specific towards the species that you are hunting.

Age

If you are a hunter 12 years or older, you are eligible to receive your hunting license in Manitoba.

Hunter’s Education Certificates

Whether you have the Manitoba Hunter Education Course Certification and Firearm Safety Training or a valid equivalent Hunter Education certificate from another jurisdiction, you will be eligible to obtain the necessary paperwork to lawfully hunt in Manitoba. United States citizens can use their state’s hunting permits as well.

All bear and moose game that is hunted during your tour with Burntwood will be capped and dressed for you. The price for your hunting tour also includes all government taxes. For more information on joining a Burntwood Lake hunting tour in Manitoba, Canada, visit our hunting page. Feel free to give us a call if you require additional information.

Live Bait Vs. Artificial Bait: Which is Better?

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.