Manitoba Blast n' Cast: Two Days Gone

by
posted on May 26, 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. **
savage_11_hog_hunter_bears_f.jpg

We've been in Manitoba since Friday afternoon, and on location at Eagle Nest Resort since early Saturday evening—and what a trip it's been. Since stepping off our float plane we've dealt with near non-stop action. Countless fish have been turned into shore lunch, and five of our eight hunters are tagged out. I'm one of the few that's still trekking into the woods each evening. Here's a quick rundown of what we've seen so far.

After checking our rifles upon arrival Saturday, we snuck out for a quick evening hunt. Our guides ferried us to our respective bait locations via boat, and the hunt was on. My Saturday evening was largely uneventful, but the group was hot as a whole. Three of my companions had bears on the ground before sundown, all of which were successfully retrieved and strung up in camp. Excellent start to the week.

Nights two and three went a little differently. After changing locations, I was treated to 45 minutes or so of time with a smaller black bear, which came in from behind me and proceeded to empty out the bait barrel without a care in the world. Though I haven't harvested a bear myself, I heeded the advice of my more experienced compatriots, and remained patient after sizing up the bear's attributes. He lives to pillage another day. I did hear a fare bit of commotion and some deep grunts behind me. Coupled with the copious amount of big bear sign at that location, it gave me due cause to return to the same spot on my third sit. I was rewarded with a lot of nothing—the forest was quiet on Monday evening. I'll change locations on Tuesday.

Two more hunters have tagged out, though, leaving only three of us with active tags, and two more nights to hunt. There's no need to worry just yet, though my Savage Arms Model 11 Hog Hunter (pictured above) is itching to lob something at a bear.

The fishing has been fantastic, by the way. Armed with our Ugly Stiks, we've slayed the walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike. They've made for tasty shore lunches each day. We'll be back on the water this morning.

Near as I can tell, Federal Premium's JJ Reich was the very first hunter to tag out on the trip. He and his bear—also his first—are pictured below. Congrats, JJ!

undefined

Latest

Henry Lever Action Supreme On White
Henry Lever Action Supreme On White

Hardware Review: Henry Lever Action Supreme Rifle

Check out Frank Melloni's Hardware review of the Henry Lever Action Supreme.

NRA 2025 Subsidies for Hunters for the Hungry Programs

The National Rifle Association of America has announced its 2025 subsidy program for Hunters for the Hungry (HFH) organizations in the United States by making $100,000 available.

A Shotgun for All Seasons: Savage Renegauge in Argentina

If you want to test a shotgun’s reliability and recoil control, you take it on a high-volume hunt. If you want that trial to more resemble torture than test, you make that a high-volume Argentina dove hunt. Read on to find out how the Savage Renegauge performed.

NRA Names Kyle Lamb as Brand Ambassador for America’s Rifle Challenge

The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) proudly announces Sergeant Major (Ret.) Kyle Lamb as a Brand Ambassador for the NRA America’s Rifle Challenge (ARC), an innovative training and competition program built around the safe and effective use of the AR-15 platform.

#SundayGunday: Banish 46-V2

On this week's #SundayGunday, we're talking about suppressors, specifically the Banish 46-V2, capable of taming nearly every gun in your safe, up to and including the big boys like .338 Lapua.

KelTec Named Official Stage Sponsor for 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship

The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is proud to announce KelTec as an official sponsor of the 2025 NRA World Shooting Championship, returning to Camp Atterbury, Ind., from September 30 to October 4, 2025.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.