Saskatchewan Trifecta
by Ed H Edwards, Lansing Chapter Member, avid hunter, and fisherman
Ducks, Geese, and Cranes oh Boy!
“Kill!” BOOM “Em!”
I literally jumped the gun before the guide finished his permission to shoot as a flock of at least a dozen cranes glided into our decoy spread. There were no circling passes. These came straight in from 300 yards out and were low. My first slightly premature shot crumpled the intended target and the second barrel did the same, a double with my old double.
A great way to start the morning! Two other flaring cranes fell from Brian Metcalf and Matt De Long’s Benelli autoloaders.
A Waterfowler’s Dream Destination
Our WESTJET flight from Minneapolis to Saskatoon carried many like-minded passengers who had shotguns and luggage stuffed with camo hunting clothes to pick up in baggage claim upon arrival for good reason. Looking out from my window seat during the 737’s descent the sun was illuminating miles upon miles of barley and wheat fields, interspersed with water ranging from small ponds to good-sized lakes. A waterfowler’s dream destination. We were booked to hunt near the hamlet of Outlook in South Central Saskatchewan which is in the flight path of migrating waterfowl coming from the Artic Boreal Forest region, along with the Dakotas this area is known as “The Duck Factory.” The expansive grain fields in the area provide local and migrating birds with an easy feed source to fatten up before migrating.
The land is known for the “eh” greeting from locals and a destination to hunt not only many species of ducks and geese but also Sandhill cranes.
Sandhill Cranes
Sandhill cranes are strange compared to other waterfowl, Un-like ducks and geese cranes have a sharp beak rather than a bill, toes rather than webbed feet, and X-long legs. Cranes cannot swim or sit on water like ducks and geese, they hang out near water often on bogs and mini-islands.
Well known for outstanding table fare, GOOGLE “Ribeye of the sky” and information on Sandhill cranes is displayed!
A crane hunt has been on my bucket list for many years and when fellow Safari Club International Lansing Chapter board members Brian Metcalf and Matt De Long asked if I would be interested in a weekend hunt with Lucky Lake Hunting Adventures my son Clinton and I jumped at the opportunity.
Lucky Lake Hunting Adventures has friendly guides who know their business and will do their best to put you on birds. The blinds are either A-frame or layout and are erected the morning of each hunt and set up in previously scouted fields. A lot of work is involved in the setup and later dismantling of the blinds and decoy spread. We pitched in and assisted as much as we could and although it was not expected it was appreciated. Further to the point, once we were packed up the area was cleaned up and left the way it was before the hunt, no empty shells, bottles, or food wrappers were left behind.
In addition to cranes, we bagged Lesser Canada geese, White-fronted geese (often referred to as specks or speckle bellies), and mallards.
In Summary
It was a blessed experience with family and friends. Anything more enjoyable would probably be illegal, immoral, or very high in calories!
Check out Lucky Lake Hunting Adventures.
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