Hunting Waterfowl in Quebec: Discover the Best Destinations
Quebec, located in Eastern Canada, is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, rich wildlife, and strong hunting traditions. With vast networks of wetlands, rivers, and farmlands. The province is a top destination for waterfowl hunters from around the world. Whether you’re targeting greater snow geese in spring or mallards and black ducks in fall, Quebec offers a diverse and action-packed hunting experience for all levels.
Here are some of the most iconic regions for guided duck and goose hunting in Quebec:
Baie-du-Febvre (Lake Saint-Pierre)
Situated in the Centre-du-Québec region, Baie-du-Febvre is a major staging area for migratory waterfowl in both spring and fall. This region is known for its immense flocks of greater snow geese, which stop here during their migration between the Arctic and the Atlantic coast.
With more than 10,000 hectares of wetland, the area offers prime hunting opportunities for snow geese, Canada geese, and puddle ducks. Baie-du-Febvre is easily accessible and is a favorite among hunters and birdwatchers alike.
Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area
Located just 45 minutes from Quebec City. Cap Tourmente is one of the most important migration refuge in North America for greater snow geese. Every spring and fall, tens of thousands of geese concentrate here, feeding on bulrushes and resting in the protected marshes.
While the wildlife reserve itself is protected, La Cache Outfitters operate inside the refuge on private land. Offering excellent opportunities to hunt these iconic birds in a responsible and well-managed setting. This unique duck club offer the perfect location for black ducks limits and greater snows.
Lac-Saint-Jean Region
The Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region is a hidden gem for waterfowl hunting in Quebec. Known for its wild landscapes and rich agricultural lands, Lac-Saint-Jean provides excellent habitat for migrating ducks and geese, especially in the fall.
This area is particularly well-suited for guided hunting experiences due to its remoteness and low hunting pressure. The presence of large flocks of birds moving through open farmlands and along lakeshores. With the support of experienced local guides, hunters can expect action-packed mornings and a high chance of success.
Montmagny Area
Nicknamed the “Snow Goose Capital of the World,” Montmagny is famous for its spring snow goose hunts. Located along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, the region offers expansive farmland and marshes where geese gather in large numbers. Hunts here are dynamic, with high bird traffic and exciting shooting opportunities.
Victoriaville Area
Located in the heart of Centre-du-Québec, the Victoriaville region offers a mix of agricultural fields and wet zones, making it ideal for fall black duck, mallard, Canada goose and snow goose hunting. With daily scouting and prime setups, this region provides steady hunting. Especially for shorter trips or groups flying into Montreal or Quebec City.
Emblematic Species to Hunt in Quebec
Greater Snow Goose: The star of spring hunting in Quebec. These Arctic migrators arrive in huge numbers and offer one of the most exciting and visually stunning hunts in North America.
Black Duck: A prized and elusive duck species that favors the remote wetlands of eastern Canada. Known for their wariness and strong flight, black ducks offer a true challenge for seasoned hunters.
Canada Goose & Mallard: Widely distributed across Quebec in the fall, offering consistent action and excellent table fare.
Conclusion
From the coastal marshes of Cap Tourmente to the farmlands of Baie-du-Febvre / and the wild expanses of Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec offers an unmatched waterfowl hunting experience. Whether you’re hunting snow geese in spring or Canada geese and ducks in fall, this province combines world-class birding with expert guiding services and stunning scenery.
Plan your next hunting trip with La Cache Outfitters and discover why Quebec is one of the top waterfowl hunting destinations in North America.
La Cache Outfitters operates in all of the regions mentioned above, offering fully guided waterfowl hunts with scouting, decoys, blinds, firearm rentals. Whether you’re coming from France, the U.S., or elsewhere in Canada, we’ll handle every detail of your trip and provide a safe, ethical, and action-filled experience.
La Cache Outfitters – Guided Waterfowl Hunting Adventures in Quebec, Canada
Welcome to La Cache Outfitters, your premier destination for world-class waterfowl hunting in Quebec. Based near Quebec City, we specialize in guided hunts for snow geese, Canada geese, ducks, and wild turkeys across multiple high-quality hunting zones, including Lac-Saint-Jean, Montmagny, Victoriaville, and Cap Tourmente.
Our experienced guides scout the fields daily during the peak migration windows. Whether you’re looking for spring snow goose hunting or fall Canada goose and duck hunting, we deliver an authentic, high-success hunting experience on private land, away from crowds and pressure.
Why Choose La Cache Outfitters?
Top Hunting Grounds: We operate on exclusive private farmland in key flyway zones, ensuring fresh birds, minimal pressure, and exceptional success rates.
Professional Bilingual Guides: Our team is made up of passionate, seasoned hunters who understand the behavior and movement of waterfowl. Safety, respect for the land, and ethical hunting practices are at the core of what we do.
Complete Hunting Packages: We offer turn-key packages that include lodging, meals, firearm rentals, ammunition, bird processing, and all necessary licenses. All you need to bring is your passion for the hunt.
Fully Scouted Fields: We scout every day before the hunt to ensure that you are set up in a hot spot. Our mobile setups allow us to adapt to changing bird movement.
Perfect for All Experience Levels: Whether you’re a solo hunter, a group of friends, or organizing a corporate trip, we tailor the experience to meet your needs.
What We Hunt
Spring Snow Geese (April to May)
Fall Canada Geese and Ducks (September to December)
Wild Turkey Hunts (April to May
Big Game Combo Hunts (Limited availability)
Each hunt includes decoy setups, blinds, ecaller, and everything needed for a successful day in the field.
Trusted by Hunters from Around the World
We proudly welcome hunters from across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Our attention to detail, local knowledge, and results-driven approach keep clients coming back season after season. Don’t take our word for it, see the success stories on our social media channels.
Book Your Quebec Waterfowl Hunt Today
Ready to experience the thrill of waterfowl hunting in Quebec? Contact La Cache Outfitters to reserve your dates or get a custom quote. Whether you want a one-day hunt or a full hunting vacation, we’re here to help plan every detail.
Snow geese, also known as light geese, are a popular game bird for hunters in North America. With their large size and distinctive white plumage, they are a beautiful sight to behold in the sky. But snow goose hunting is not just about admiring the birds; it’s a challenging and exciting sport that requires skill, patience, and strategy. In this article, we’ll discuss what makes snow goose hunting such a unique experience and how to prepare for a successful hunt.
Hunting snow geese
Snow geese are migratory birds that travel in large flocks, making them easy to spot and track. They are also not as wary as other game birds, which makes them a prime target for hunters. But despite their relatively approachable nature, hunting snow geese requires a great deal of skill and preparation. For one, the birds fly at high altitudes, making them difficult to shoot. Additionally, they are known for their ability to quickly change direction and altitude, making it difficult to predict their movements.
Key hunting tups
To be successful at snow goose hunting, you need to be well equipped and have a good understanding of the birds’ behavior and migration patterns. Here are some key tips to keep in mind when hunting snow geese:
Choose the right gear: Invest in high-quality hunting equipment, including a shotgun with a fast-loading mechanism, decoys, and camouflage clothing.
Scout the area: Before the hunt, take some time to observe the birds and their migration patterns. This will help you determine the best location to set up your decoys and blind.
Set up decoys: Snow geese are attracted to large flocks, so set up a large number of decoys in a formation that resembles a group of birds resting on the ground.
Use calls: Snow geese are vocal birds, and using calls to mimic their sounds can help attract them to your decoys.
Remain still and patient: Snow geese are wary birds, and any sudden movement can spook them. So, it’s important to remain still and patient while waiting for the birds to approach.
Use a good shooting position: Position yourself in a location that offers a clear shot at the birds as they fly overhead.
Be safe: Always follow all hunting regulations and safety guidelines, including wearing bright orange clothing and carrying a first-aid kit.
Snow goose hunting is a thrilling experience that requires skill, patience, and strategy. But with the right equipment and preparation, it can also be a rewarding and successful adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter or a beginner, snow goose hunting offers an opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors and challenge yourself to hone your skills.
Understanding of the birds’ behaviour
In conclusion, snow goose hunting is a unique and exciting sport that requires a good understanding of the birds’ behavior and migration patterns, as well as the right gear and preparation. Whether you’re hunting solo or with a group, this activity offers a chance to enjoy the great outdoors and test your skills as a hunter. So, get out there and give it a try!
2021 is finally here, as well as the time to start planning your next hunting adventure. This year, the team at La Cache has a large variety of packages in the best regions of Quebec. Below is a selection of our 2021 product offerings:
Guided spring conservation snow goose hunts
Quebec and île d’Orleans: April 10 to may 20
Montmagny: May 6 to 22
L’isle Verte: May 5 to 22
Baie-du-Fèbvre: April 3 to 25
Southwest of Quebec: March 20 to 31 (subject to change with the weather)
Spring Turkey 2021
Victoriaville: April 30 to May 24
Fall waterfowl hunting adventure
Canada Geese
Lac-saint-Jean: September 11 to October 19
Victoriaville: September 6 to December 12
Dabbling Duck
Victoriaville: September 25 to December 12
Quebec on the shores of the Saint Lawrence Seaway: October 23 to 31
Greater Snow Geese
Lac-Saint-Jean: Mid-September to October 19
Victoriaville: Mid-October to end of November
L’isle Verte: October 21 to 31
Reservations
We are currently taking reservations by telephone and email or for more information contact us today!
Maxime Asselin: 418-931-0261 Maxime@lacacheoutfitters.com
Change of Canada Goose limits
Like last season, the daily limit for Canada geese is two for the period of September 26th to October 31st. This includes Lac Saint Jean as well as the Victoriaville region. The preseason of September 6th to the 25th the limit remains at 10 birds and 5 birds from the first of November until December 21st.
During the period of the two bird limits, we will continue to offer a mixed hunt (duck and Canada geese or Snow geese and Canada geese), the goal being to obtain a similar number of opportunities as a standard Canada goose hunt. There will also be special pricing to those who would like to reserve a Canada goose hunt during the period of September 26th to October 31st.
During our period of snow geese (November), we will be holding a number of dates which will be available for hunters who wish to pursue Canada geese when the limits return to 5 birds per day.
Guides
Below is the list of guides for the 2021 season, please note that you can request a guide for your hunts when reserving and we will do our best to ensure that you will be hunting with your preferred guide.
Anthony Labrecque
Guillaume Bellavance
Daniel Snyder
David Bernier
Anthony Garneau
Maxime Asselin
Philippe Vignoul
Fees and Conditions
6 hunters are required to organize a waterfowl excursion. You may reserve alone or with a smaller group, however you will be paired with other hunters in order to complete the group.
For wild turkey, our excursions are done with two hunters per guide. The price is 300$ per hunter (taxes included).
Like 2020, we ask our customers to help with the installation and take down of decoys and blinds for our snow goose hunts. We ask this as we are able to complete these tasks more quickly and efficiently as a group, and we feel that participation in this adds to the overall experience of the hunt. If you are unable to help, for medical reasons or other, please let us know upon reserving.
Please note that there is a small change in pricing for the upcoming 2021 waterfowl packages. The price of a morning excursion will increase from $250 (taxes included) to $280 (taxes included). Our rates haven’t increased in a number of years and it is time we adjust our pricing structure to match the current market. In addition, rates for Lac Saint Jean and Victoriaville will be the same at $280 per hunt (taxes included).
Reservation and Deposits
We have modified our reservation and deposit policies based on the current unpredictable circumstances with the global pandemic. The goal of these modifications have been made to protect our clients, our guides, and our business. The new policies have no “grey zone” so please review these policies on our website to ensure you understand prior to booking.
Sitka Gear
La Cache Outfitters has been an official retailer for Sitka gear for a number of years. Sitka manufactures clothing of the highest quality that is tailored to passionate waterfowl/big game hunters and outdoorsmen alike. We will soon be receiving our 2021 inventory early in the summer. In the meantime, if you wish to place an order though our company please let us know through email or phone and we can process your request prior the arrival of our inventory.
Our next order will be mid-February- please let us know if we accommodate any of your gear needs for the 2021 season. You can choose to collect your order upon your hunt with us (this spring or fall), or you may also pick up your order at our offices in Victoriaville or Quebec City. We can also ship them to you. However shipping would be at your expense. Payment is required at time of purchase through e-transfer and all information on sizing, color, and models are available.
Here is the 2020 report on the migratory birds hunting regulations published by Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Canadian Wildlife Service. This report highlights the changes that have been made to the migratory game bird hunting regulations for the next two hunting seasons (2020/2021 and 2021/2022) in Canada, and provides the rationale for those changes, as well as the results of public consultation.
AMERICAN BLACK DUCK INTERNATIONAL HARVEST STRATEGY’S RECOMMENDATION
The American Black Duck International Harvest Strategy continues to be implemented in Quebec. A liberal regime is in effect for the 2020/2021 hunting season. There is no change to Black Duck bag limit in Quebec. The liberal regulatory package will also be implemented for the 2021/2022 Black Duck hunting season. A liberal harvest regime is also in effect for the 2020/2021 Black Duck hunting season in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Ontario.
HARVEST RESTRICTIONS ON ATLANTIC POPULATION OF CANADA GEESE
The daily bag limit for Canada and Cackling geese during peak migration in most hunting districts in Quebec has been decreased. This is to address conservation concerns related to observed declines in the breeding population of Atlantic Canada Geese. The following restrictions have been implemented:
In Districts A, C, and the portion of District F that is west of Highway 15 and its northerly extension consisting of Route 117, the daily bag limit is restricted to three Canada/Cackling geese combined (from 5) from September 26 to October 31. After this period, the bag limit returns to five until the end of the season.
In District D and the portion of District F that is east of Highway 15 and its northerly extension consisting of Route 117, the daily bag limit is restricted to two Canada/Cackling geese combined (from five) from September 26 to October 31. After this period, the bag limit returns to five until the end of the season.
Canada/Cackling geese are no longer included in the former “Geese (other than Snow Geese)” group and are now considered their own group. This change prevents confusion introduced by changing the daily bag limit for Canada/ Cackling geese twice over the season. Daily bag and possession limits for the different groups of geese are as follows:
Justification
One hunter expressed concern regarding the proposal to restrict the harvest of the Atlantic population of Canada Geese. He questioned whether hunting is an effective tool for managing populations. Indicated that the reduction in hunting opportunities that would come from this change would discourage people from taking up hunting as a sport.
The amendment aims to protect the Atlantic population of Canada goose, which nests in the Ungava Peninsula in northern Quebec. The restriction would be effective in October only when the Atlantic population migrates through the province. It has been demonstrated that mortality by hunting has a significant effect on the size of the breeding population.
Indeed, in 1995, hunting was closed in response to a significant decline in the population. Following this temporary closure, the population increased to the 1980s level, and above in early 2000 and remained relatively stable until the 2010s.
Surveys during the nesting seasons have shown that the survival rate of adults has been decreasing since 2010, while the harvest rate of adults and young has increased during the same period, and population decreases have been observed. This information indicates that measures are necessary to maintain the population.
In Quebec and Ontario as well as in the United States, regulatory measures are being implemented to restrict harvest to ensure sustainability of the population and avoid a complete closure of hunting seasons.
To hunt migratory game birds in Canada, you must possess:
a valid Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit
a Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp affixed to or printed on the permit
These two documents are issued by the federal government and are valid in all provinces and territories. The 2020 federal permit is also valid for the 2021 spring special conservation harvest for Snow Geese.
Additional licence
Most provinces and territories have additional licence requirements for hunting migratory birds and/or to carry firearms. To know what you require, and if there are further restrictions for hunting migratory birds, please verify the applicable regulations for the province/territory where you will be hunting. Municipalities may have additional restrictions on discharging firearms. Note that all required permits and licences must be in your possession while you are hunting.
Chasing Snows & Canadas |By this time our hunting party had experienced our first day of decoying snow geese. And what an experience it was. Nothing like I’ve ever encountered. Big numbers of white birds. A vast spread of decoys and purpose built “a-frame blinds”. The whole trip up to this point had been nothing but fantastic. And we had another 2 days hunting in Quebec and a day in Ontario before we flew home.
The afternoon of the first day of hunting was filled with conversation about the mornings hunting. We processed the birds. Plucking, breasting, gutting. Getting them ready for the pot. One of the guys that was staying with us, Dave. Had brought a mincer and spent the afternoon turning the goose in to mince. We ate well that night again. Shannon and Calvin provided some more delicious meat. Fab had brought with him some Italian dishes. Mark and Jeremy had more moose. Tales were told, laughs were had. It was exactly how I’d imagined duck camp. We went to bed early again in preparation for another days hunting.
Day two
Day 2 arrived and the weather was not what we had hoped for. Drizzle and little wind. Not ideal goose decoying weather. But excited we were nonetheless. Meeting Max at the service station as planned we split up into our groups and wished one another success. Upon arrival to the field we found another spot covered in preen and scat. Another good sign. But the rain did not let up. We set out the decoys. The same plan as the day before. Snows out in front with a killhole 20 yards in front. Family groups of Canadas behind. We were set.
The birds didn’t move until about half an hour after shooting light. I can only attribute that to the rain. The birds did not want to work the decoys. And this made for difficult shooting. The birds that were committing were doing so on the far right of the blind and making it extremely difficult for the guys the other end of the blind get any shooting. This as you can imagine can be frustrating. But this is where you have to exercise extreme discipline and blind etiquette. Our end of the blind did have some shooting but not in the numbers as the day before.
” It was a successful but wet hunt. We managed to scratch out 29 snows and 2 Canadas which was a welcome addition “
They were “rangey” shots and I was ecstatic when I connected with one about 35 yards out back. The retrieve sent my Dad and I on a bit of a walk trying to find a decent place to cross a small irrigation ditch. I managed to fall in on my way down. But WE GOT THE BIRD. Whilst we were over there we had to keep crouching down and taking cover to try and give the other guys in the blind a chance at the decoying birds.
A Rainy Morning But We Got Our Birds
The hunt was finished and we all worked to get the birds picked, blind packed away and decoys in the trailer. Max told us to be careful to not get the birds muddy as this will put the snows off. I totally understand. You never saw these birds in the sky in any other way than immaculate. They really are a beautiful bird. No bigger than a pinkfoot and they have pink feet. Dad and I agreed they reminded us of them. The other group had experienced similar conditions and were themselves packing up. The benefit to a smaller bag was less work to get the birds ready for eating and transport. We took full advantage of that and took the opportunity to nap that afternoon as the early starts, late nights and jetlag were starting to catch up with my Dad.
” It seemed as if the whole trip was passing me by to quickly and I was not looking forward to heading back to Newfoundland and back to work “
The thing about this sort of experience is, it isn’t just about the shooting. Its about the adventure. And that is what drives me to continue doing this. You could sit on a beach in Spain and lay away your time snoozing in the sun. And that’s totally fine, there is nothing wrong with that. But I want to experience as much of this life as I can.
Hunting takes me to new, exciting and wild places. Introduces me to fantastic, knowledgeable people and allows me to learn from them. Its a whole process that isn’t able to be placed in to one box. If someone asked me what I love about hunting. I couldn’t give them a short answer. I am sure it is that way for many people.
Morning #3
Morning 3 arrived and we’d been told we were with Dominique this morning. A restaurateur outside of the hunting season. But during the season, an incredible guide and caller. He can read geese as good as you’d expect from a seasoned guide and can easily turn them with his calling ability. An eccentric and excitable man who brought laughter and humor into the blind. I thoroughly enjoyed hunting with him and had the fortune of spending 3 more days with him this year. We were told that the target species this morning was Canada geese.
I was more than happy to hear this as decoying Canadas was something, again I’d never done. We pulled up outside a farm yard and parked next to a silo. Some of us jumped in the back of Dominique’s truck, others on a quad. My Dad and I walked. Behind where we shot was a steep drop in to another irrigation ditch. That was something we needed to be mindful of setting up.
Dad & I Ready For The Geese
Canadas
The decoys were set, blind camouflaged and we were set to go. To our right about a mile away was Lac St Jean. This is where the birds had been roosting and Dominique explained that this field of grass had been getting hit hard for a few days by the Canadas. As shooting light came we heard the distinctive “honks” of the iconic bird. Dominique nails it. I listened to him and have worked on my calling to get it similar to his, if I get anywhere near as good as him. I’ll be decent. The first group of “darks” as they are colloquially known set their wings a fair way out and were on their way. This was amazing to watch and pretty exciting too. Once their wings are locked you know those birds are coming to the decoys.
Dominique gave the shout “TAKE EM” and I was on point. My gun came up and I calmly picked my bird.
There were probably 20 canadas in this first group. I hit the first bird but it didn’t drop, I followed up with a second and as I watched it fold moved on to another bird, which crumpled too. That was it, my confidence was up and I knew I was in for a good morning. Our daily bag limit was 10 birds per gun.
There were 7 of us shooting and I felt confident we would get that limit. Skein after skein poured in. I put my gun down to try and film the birds coming in. It was incredible. Shannon and Colin were close to running out of cartridges. The issue with this was I couldn’t help them out as they were shooting 10 bores. They were doing the business on these decoying Canadas. A group swung in from right to left and I watched one bird flare, it must have seen something. The birds in front all dropped but the flared bird had only been seen by me and was flying away from the decoys behind us.
I gave the bird the right lead and watched it fold at 40 yards !!
I was super impressed with my shooting. Definitely a fluke. I had shot well. I know Dad thought he hadn’t done as good, but he’d accounted for a few birds. It was a manic and exciting morning of goose decoying. A morning that I will never ever forget. We didn’t make the daily limit. But that did not matter. We all had some shooting. And to be honest. some of the best decoying of wildfowl you could hope for.
L-R Colin, Shannon, Calvin, James, Jim & Dave All From NS
The whole 3 days had been amazing. I knew I wanted to come back and was hopeful there would be trip proposed for the following year. Luckily for me there was. 2019 wasn’t anywhere near as successful as 2018. But it was still a trip to remember for different reasons. I’ll be sure to share the 2019 account on here later on. But I can’t wait for this years trip. Dad, myself and great friend of mine Pete are making the pilgrimage this time. A big thank you to all of the boys that made it a special one for me personally and a special thank you for John Clements for putting up with my questions and making sure that it happened. I am forever grateful. Roll on 2020!
The Mornings Bag
Chasing Snows in Quebec – Written by James Owne – Passionate Conservationist
An outdoorsman and UK Military Veteran hailing from the North West of England wishing to share my experiences and stories with like minded individuals. – Amateur Chef – Photographer – Writer – Videographer –
More information about hunting snows with La Cache Outfitters
Chasing snows | This story so far started with me posting a Facebook status about wildfowling/waterfowling in Newfoundland & Labrador, whilst I was contracting in Afghanistan. Which lead to me getting in contact with John Clements of Delta Waterfowl. Then I find myself in Ontario with my Dad, sitting in the back of a truck heading to Quebec to shoot snow geese.
The drive
The weather was good for a drive. No rain forecast and we ate up the road. To my right for a good 4 hours was Lake Ontario. The size of that expanse of water is phenomenal. As a guy from the UK. We just don’t have inland water like it. Dad and I talked about all the different types of fish that must be in there and how great it would be to get a boat and see what we could get. Maybe another time. We stopped for coffee, at Tim Hortons of course in a service station that was very different to what I’m accustomed. I don’t think I’d be able to describe it. It was just different. The coffee was good and John had arranged to meet up with a friend of his Barry.
I would have liked to have spend a bit more time with him as I’m sure he has some great stories. After John had taken receipt of what he needed to from Barry, filled up with fuel, we were Montreal bound. Driving through there was surreal, as ignorant as this may sound. It was super European “esque”.
” I mean, the French did settle there so it makes complete sense. But it wasn’t what I expected it to be. Parisienne style buildings almost EuroAmerican if that makes any sense ”
Buildings with fauna growing up them and small yard type garden. In the background a huge cathedral. Ontario and Quebec although neighbors, are very different. The country was big. My Dad napped but I looked in every field. Again, just as in Ontario I saw deer and turkeys. We drove past rivers and streams that looked heavenly to fish with duck sitting in the margins. Geese flew over us, on their way to feed or drink. It was a feast for the newcomers eyes. North America is full of vast array of wildlife and its incredible to see.
Montréal to Lac St-Jean
Once through the traffic of Montreal we were on the home straight. A quick 5 hours north and we’d be where we need to be. We stopped again for fuel, refreshment stop and a leg stretch. I could see that my Dad was struggling. As Brits sitting in a car that long isn’t something we’re accustomed to. But to North Americans anything under 5 hours is “around the corner”. By the end of that day we had driven the equivalent of London to Krakow. And boy did our backsides know about it. John never complained once and even though I offered was more than happy to drive.
As we entered rural Quebec the landscape became littered with woodland, forests, blueberry fields, rivers, streams, lakes. Amongst all of this were small pods of homes. Mostly agricultural settlements but small villages and towns too. I wondered what it must be like there during the depths of winter. I should imagine incredibly tough. Then over the crest of hill. We saw it.
Lac St-Jean
Lac St-Jean
The Lac St-Jean. Lac being lake in French. It wasn’t a lake. It was an inland sea. And looking out onto it as we drove past. White rafts. Rafts of snow geese. I felt myself getting giddy. Like a kid before Christmas. We skirted the edge of the lake all the way to where we stayed in a small town. The town had everything we needed. A coffee shop, Walmart, petrol station and our accommodation wasn’t 10 minutes down the road.
The journey ended with us pulling up outside of a small cottage at the edge of one of the inlets to the lake. It was perfect. Quiet, out the way, a place to shower and sleep. It even had a BBQ pit and fire pit at the back. We unloaded and everyone dispersed to their respective rooms. Dad and I had ended up with a room with bunks. But it was great. I could hardly complain. John explained that we were meeting the rest of the guys at their place in town along with Max for some food and introductions. We freshened up and headed off back into St Felicien.
Our Cottage
The night before
In one house there were guys from Hamilton, Guelph, Cape Bretton, Central Newfoundland, the UK, Sydney, Yarmouth and Quebec. 5 Provinces and 2 countries. We all clicked immediately. Our shared passion for conservation, education and hunting brought us all together. It was magnificent. We all introduced ourselves and ate good. The professional fishermen had brought spoils from their harvest in the year. And boy was it good. The hunters from Newfoundland had brought moose. There was jerky made from goose. Homemade beets and pickles.
” We ate and talked and ate and talked. It was nice to dispel the myth that we don’t have anything to hunt or aren’t allowed to hunt in the UK ”
I explained about our 6 species of deer, as well as the feral goats we have. That our seasons were long. Ducks and geese running from September to mid February. Our game season from October to the beginning of February. How there were no such things as tags, no daily bag limits. I heard about the benefits of tags and bag limits. About access to public land and how easy it was to get out and live your passion. The night was perfect. Max announced he was departing and instructed us that we needed to meet at the petrol station at 4am. We had a lot of decoys to set and needed to be ready for shooting light.
The Hunt
The morning had arrived. The kind of morning that Dad and I had been talking about for the past 7 months. The morning I had been dreaming about for years. I was going to hunt geese with my Dad, in Canada. We got dressed, brushed our teeth and made sure we had guns, ammo, torches and most importantly our signed provincial and federal hunting licenses. At the Petrol station Max instructed us where we were going and who was hunting with him and who was with Dominique. We were with Max. We arrived at a stubble field which was covered in goose scat and feathers. This was obviously a good sign. Max instructed us that we needed to get the spread set up as quick as possible, get the a-frame hides built and e caller in place.
Morning Set-up
First light was when the birds moved. These were all adults and knew what they wanted and where they wanted to be. From what I’d read and seen. Adults were the trickiest to convince to commit. We set upwards of 300 snow goose full bodied decoys to our front. 60 to 80 full bodied Canada decoys to our back in small family groups. The Canadas don’t feed with the snows as they are aggressive and push them out of the way. Snows always want to land at the front of the feed to get the best opportunity to eat the spilt grain. The front of that feed was 20 yards in front of the hide. That was our kill hole.
Max announced it was shooting light. The birds were already on the move and we could hear them. The e-caller rang out a variety of calls from hails to feed. We saw the first group make a b-line to our spread. I couldn’t believe the sheer number of birds there were in the sky. The thing about snows is.
” They don’t decoy like pinks or Canadas. They spiral down from a great height and are constantly on the look out for something that isn’t right. Tie this is with the thousands of pairs of eyes there are looking at you and you can see why adult snows are incredibly tough to decoy ”
Max warned us to keep our mouths shut to stop the birds. You can imagine what we were preventing from going in our mouths. And told us to wait until he gave the call. He wanted birds in the decoys so that other birds would commit.
My heart was pounding. I was physically shaking. It was that feeling the first time you set your crosshairs on a deer’s vitals. I didn’t want to look up. The birds were close and I could hear the buzz of their wings as they swooped down behind us to land head on into the feed. Max called it. As I stood up I picked a bird. The gun slipped into my shoulder and the safety came off. It felt like everything slowed down. I knew shots were going off to my right and left. But I couldn’t hear them. As I was about to squeeze the trigger. My birds folded. It is at this moment you have to compose yourself. I did not. Then I rushed onto another bird, didn’t follow through and missed with all 3. I was gutted.
” There were birds on the ground. But not one to my name. I turned to my Dad who had an enormous smile on his face. He had dropped two”
I didn’t have time to feel down on myself. There were more birds behind. Max sent his dog to pick up birds that had fell farther out and he ran to collect the birds closer in. He told us to reload, put our safety’s on and wait for his call again. It didn’t feel like 2 minutes passed and he was saying “ok guys, on this pass we’ll take them”. This time is stood up with purpose. Pulled up on my first bird and dropped it. It hadn’t hit the floor before I’d moved on to another missed with the second and connected with the third. How does anyone miss a goose at 25 yards, with a shotgun. I’d love to tell you. But I can’t. This was goose fever at its finest and we were being given one hell of a show.
the Control “chaos”
Skein after skein poured in to the decoys. We weren’t getting a chance to reload before the birds were into the decoys again. This was what I’d envisaged when I came to Canada to hunt geese. This was the action I’d dreamt off. Before we knew it I was 3 boxes of cartridges in and there were 70 something birds on the ground between our group.
The geese had slowed right down but we persisted and were gifted with another 2 skeins which brought the total to 82. The last shot of the day was given to me. John said “lets give James the last shot, if he misses this its anyone’s”. A lone snow came into the decoys and landed from left to right. I pulled up on it and blanked it out and watched it fold. When I picked it. Max told me that was a lovely mature bird and I should consider getting it mounted. That’s exactly what I decided to do. John agreed to take it to a friend of his back in PEI and have it done. I still haven’t got it yet. But fingers crossed ill see it again this September.
End of the hunt
Max called an end to the morning. The morning feed had dried up and we had a lot of birds to pick up, decoys to pack away and gear to lug back to the trucks. We had our pictures taken and joked about the birds we missed. Dad and I spoke amongst ourselves and couldn’t quite believe what had just happened. That was something we both agreed we’d never experience. The weather was warm so we needed to get the birds in cover as soon as possible to stop the being blown by flies. We had a lot of work that afternoon. Skinning, plucking and breasting. But I was looking forward to it. The other group had had just as much luck as us. They’d had some Canadas decoy too and a couple of bands. I couldn’t wait to hear their stories.
On the way back to the truck dad and I were silent. We didn’t say a word. We didn’t need to. Dad looked over to me with a smile on his face. “Son, we’ve got another 2 days of this to come”
The Mornings BagThe Field We Hunted
Chasing Snows in Quebec – Written by James Owne – Passionate Conservationist
An outdoorsman and UK Military Veteran hailing from the North West of England wishing to share my experiences and stories with like minded individuals. – Amateur Chef – Photographer – Writer – Videographer –
More information about hunting snows with La Cache Outfitters
Most research on the canine athlete has been performed on sled dogs, i.e. endurance dogs. In humans, the length of time we can exercise at a low intensity is related to glucose and glycogen depletion time (hence why we carbo-load). This is not the case in dogs. The skeletal muscle makeup of canines is different from ours. These muscles contain unique fibers not typical of many mammalian species. It allow fat to be turned directly into energy. Primarily during activities that are low-to-moderate in intensity but longer in duration.
Fat, and to be more specific, free fatty acids, are used to fuel canines by increasing aerobic work capacity. In extremely high endurance dogs, diets containing 60-70% of Metabolizable Energy (ME) from fat is required to fuel these sustained periods of activity. This level of fat-derived calories increases oxygen consumption, ultimately leading to an increase in available energy by as much as 50%.
The estimated caloric requirement for endurance dogs is dependent on duration but can be two to ten times that which is required for a typical active adult dog. The diet of these animals also requires a substantial amount of protein to maintain muscle mass.
But, what about carbohydrates?
Some studies have found that performance was maintained in endurance canines at low- moderate carbohydrate diets (less than 20% as read on a dog food bag), as glycogen/carbohydrate stores were only used for a short time period before fat reserves become the primary source of fuel.
So, what does one of these diets look like in terms of dog food packaging? An endurance dog would do well on a food with >30% crude protein as dry matter (DM), >20% crude fat DM and restricting carbohydrates to less than 30%, with some studies suggesting carbohydrates can go as low as 10% of ME. A quick and easy way to determine carbohydrate content of a dog food on a DM basis is:
It is suggested that for these types of athletes, 26-35% of ME come from highly digestible animal-based protein. This helps with muscle maintenance, recovery and allows for the required increased cardiovascular stamina.
60-70% ME should come from fat and a low level should come from carbohydrates. Although carbohydrate inclusion can be unnecessary, some research suggests it can be beneficial for freeing fatty acids so that they can be used for energy.
DIETS OF SPRINT DOGS
The energetic requirements of sprint dogs are often overestimated. Due to the short duration of the activity, the increase in energetic requirement is often <25% over the maintenance requirement. Canines that fall into this category are agility dogs, racing greyhounds and some service dogs.
These dogs, due to the short duration of the activity, primarily use carbohydrates for energy while sprinting, as it is readily accessible for a fast sprint. In greyhound racing, it has been found that diets that with 43% ME from carbohydrates outperform dogs on lower carbohydrate diets. In a commercial dog food, this roughly translates to 24-28% crude protein as DM, 12-14% crude fat DM and 45-50% DM carbohydrate, similar to a typical adult maintenance kibble.
WORKING DOGS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
All this good news about high levels of unsaturated fats increasing olfactory performance doesn’t mean common factors that reduce sniff ability disappear. Exercise has an influence on the ability of dog to detect scent. It is theorized that this might be because a dog pants to help decrease its body temperature, and this panting action drastically reduces the ability for dogs to smell, as a dog’s mouth must be closed for precise scent detection.
This gets more complicated when you take a dog out of a laboratory and put it in the field. Where scents are plenty and weather comes into effect. Environmental condition increases the metabolic requirement of a working canine. Where activity outside the “thermoneutral zone” of 20-30 ̊C (68-86 ̊F) increases the energetic requirement. The environment also plays a role in a dog’s ability to scent. Factors such as relative humidity, wind and barometric pressure affect not only a dog’s ability to smell but it also affects how odors move in the landscape.
The more humid an environment, the better a dog can smell, until it rains, and detection ability drastically drops off. Temperature can greatly influence a dog’s ability to detect, as does terrain, poor acclimation to new environment, ventilation and dehydration. These can cause an increase in energy expenditure and leads to panting and a reduction in performance.
Other Tips
Look for a food with finely ground ingredients. Why? The finer the grind, the better the digestibility of the food.
When possible, purchase from a primary manufacturer. Quality is more likely to be continually and consistently monitored by people who really know the product.
Packaging matters. Do your best to maintain food inairtight conditions. If you use a reusable food container, wash it between uses. Oxygen exposure breaks down fats used for detection and energy.
Like humans, the ideal diet of working dog is based on a variety of factors. The intensity and duration of activity, desired outcomes, environment and the individual energetic requirement of the dog. In all cases, it’s vital to assess the overall performance requirements of the canine and tailor the diet and more specifically, certain nutrients to meet the needs of the dog.
The main contributors of energy to a dog’s diet are protein, fat and carbohydrates. Together, they make up the major energetic constituents in any food. Their variable contributions affect the overall performance of an animal.
If the major energy contributions come from protein, fat and carbohydrates in a canine diet, what is the relative energetic value of each? In canines, fatcontributes 8.5 kcal/g and protein and carbohydrates contribute 3.5 kcal/g each. Despite the energetic contribu- tion of protein and carbohydrates being equal, they each play different roles for canine performance.
PROTEIN
Proteins are involved in EVERYTHING in the canine body, from muscle development and recovery, to cell wall structure, to enzymatic reactions. The building blocks of protein are amino acids, some of which can be synthesized by the body of the dog, but 10 of them cannot. These are your essential amino acids and they must be ingested in the dog’s diet.
FAT
Fats, having a higher caloric contribu- tion than the other constituents, are the major energetic driver in athletic dogs. Fats are made up of fatty acids that can be directly utilized as a source of energy.
There are several classifications of fatty acids, such as saturated and non-saturated and poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), essential fatty acids and omega 3s and 6s, all of which play different structural and functional roles within the body. Similar to protein, fats play pivotal roles throughout the body of the dog, encompassing a wide range of functions from insulation, to vita- min absorption, to proper functioning of the central nervous system. We will discuss these a little more later.
CARBOHYDRATES
Although carbohydrates have a place in the canine diet. Working dogs utilize different energetic pathways to fuel their bodies than humans do. The role of carbohydrates in the dog diet depends on activity intensity and endurance. The base unit of a carbohydrate is glucose, a read- ily accessible form of energy. As carbo- hydrates play a purely energetic role in a dog’s diet, carbohydrate requirement is determined by activity level. Interestingly, high levels of carbohydrates commonly found in commercial canine diets are not necessarily what is best for working dogs.
Research shows different canine ac- tivities require different combinations of protein, fats and carbohydrates. As you might imagine, the requirements of a racing greyhound vary greatly from that of an Iditarod sled dog, which varies again from the requirements of a detection canine, who must also rely on its senses for task completion on top of the energetic demands of a search. Even then, the search is a mixed activity that might consist of both sprinting and endurance. Simply put, increases in energy expenditure and carbo- hydrate requirement is based on duration of exercise, not the intensity.
THE HIGH FAT ADVANTAGE
A high fat diet can benefit in a number of ways. Weight maintenance, increased palatability of food, decreased food volume for satiation and increased energy levels. That said, research into the effect of diet on a dog’s nose is relatively complex. Some studies have found that fatty acid composition can have an influence on the detection ability in scent trained dogs from foxhounds to hunting dogs and service dogs. Unsaturated fats, oftentimes rich in Omega 3s and 6s, such as PUFAs, have shown to increase the rate of detection thresh olds in Labradors given a diet topped with Maize oil.8
Likewise, hunting English Pointers fed a diet rich in PUFAs had a more successful rate of bird finds. Studies with dogs on treadmills have shown that endurance performance and olfactory sensitivity increase with increasing intake of dietary fat. This means that as dietary fat goes up, as will a dog’s physical stamina and scent ability, particularly when fed diets rich in animal-based fats.
Why is this?
It is believed that the PUFAs alter the membranes of the olfactory organs in a canine’s nose, making the dog more sensitive to scents. Further research suggests increasing the level of unsaturated fats and decreasing the level of saturated fats in a dog’s diet could heighten a his ability for detection.
Interestingly, regular exercise has also been found to play a role, by increasing “scent stamina. Overall diet affects the core body temperature. The diets rich in PUFAs allow canines to return to normal body temperature faster than those higher in saturated fats. Other factors that can influence a dog’s ability to detect smell range from the microbes that live in the gut and nasal cavity of the dog to serotonin levels in the body. There is still much to learn about the intricate workings of a dog’s sense of smell.
HYDRATION, HYDRATION, HYDRATION
Adequate water is one of the major influencers on a working dog’s ability to smell. By keeping the nose moist, neural scent signals are better able to travel to the brain. The quantity required depends on these mentioned environmental factors. Temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, the canine’s ability to cool off by panting and the duration of exercise.
Other Tips
Look for a food with finely ground ingredients. Why? The finer the grind, the better the digestibility of the food.
When possible, purchase from a primary manufacturer.Quality is more likely to be continually and consistentlymonitored by people who really know the product.
Packaging matters. Do your best to maintain food inairtight conditions. If you use a reusable food con- tainer, wash it between uses. Oxygen exposure breaks down fats used for detection and energy.
When you hunt waterfowl in Canada, you need two different licenses. The Federal license and the Provincial license; depending on Province to be hunted. For example, if you hunt in Quebec; you will need a Quebec Non-Resident small game license and a Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp. (Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit).
The MGBH permit is an important data source. It provides a sampling base for estimating annually the number and species of migratory birds harvested by hunters in Canada. It ensure long-term sustainability of bird populations.
How to get the Federal Migratory Game birds Permit
The permit (including the stamp) continues to be available through three means:
E-system with new provider Nortak Software Ltd which is available 24 hours per day and 7 hours per week (except during maintenance periods) at https://www.permis-permits.ec.gc.ca/.
To purchase a permit, an applicant must provide their name, date of birth, a valid email address (if electronic), mailing and/or billing address and answer a few questions about their hunting experience.
How to get the Quebec Non-Resident Small Game license
You will fin the Quebec Non-Resident Small Game license in every Canadian Tire and hunting store in the province.
