Manitoba Blast n' Cast: The Arrival

by
posted on May 23, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
blast_cast_1.jpg

We cover our fair share of adventure hunts here at American Hunter, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a North American adventure that rates quite like an fly-in bear hunt. That's what I'll be up to over the holiday weekend and into the early stages of next week, as I journey to a small island Eagle Nest Lake in Manitoba, Canada.

Our prey? Black bears, hopefully big ones. I'm told that the shorelines surrounding the lake are home to some big ol' bruins, and with luck I'll put a hurting on one before I re-board the float plane and start trekking south again next Thursday. I've never harvested—or, for that matter, hunted—a bear before, so suffice to say I'm stoked.

That's not the entirety of my itinerary, though. On top of the fly-in bear angle, the trip is an old school blast and cast. We'll be fishing the lake during the day, before regrouping and getting after the bears in the afternoon/evening. Walleye, northern pike and smallmouth bass are expected to be plentiful, and should serve as a lively start to the day. Should I just go ahead and stuff a catch or two into my pockets for the bear hunt?

Federal Premium and Savage Arms are playing host to the bear side of things, while Ugly Stik is showing off some of its latest wares during the fishing hours. Today's highlight was boarding the float plane, pictured above, and finishing our journey to Eagle Nest Resort. The group rallied in Winnipeg, before driving a couple hours to our pick up spot. Another first, for me.

Stay tuned throughout the coming week for regular updates!

Latest

44 Mag HST LEDE
44 Mag HST LEDE

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Utah Wildlife Board Updates

The Utah Wildlife Board approved a few new and updated rules, some of which are necessary after recent legislative changes—including the wildlife management area license requirement for certain counties and the new process for regulating hunting guides and outfitters—along with a few other proposals during a public meeting Thursday.

Member's Hunt: A Tale of Two Moose

This month's Member's Hunt comes from John R. Bean of Tucson, Ariz.

Breeding Duck Numbers Decline Again in ND

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s 78th-annual spring breeding duck survey conducted in May showed an index of about 2.66-million birds, down from 2.9 million in 2024 and 3.4 million in 2023.

2025-26 Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 migratory game bird seasons have been set. There are two significant changes to waterfowl seasons. The regular season daily bag limit for Canada geese in the Atlantic Population Zone has decreased from three to one, and for northern pintail, there will be a flat daily bag limit of three.

New for 2025: Christensen Arms Evoke in 450 Bushmaster

Christensen Arms has announced the release of the Evoke rifle chambered in powerful 450 Bushmaster.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.