Cupped Wings Outfitting Canada Goose, Snow Goose and Duck Hunting in Manitoba Canada

Cupped Wings Outfitting... Waterfowl Hunting Guide Service in Manitoba, Canada
Hunt for Canada Geese, Snow Geese, Ross Geese, Sandhill Cranes and 15 Species of Ducks

Cupped Wings Outfitting FAQ's

Your dreams really are our business. We strive to make this experience one you have dreamed about and will have fond memories of for years to come. Hopefully the below list of frequently asked questions will answer some or all of your questions. If you still have questions, we would love to hear from you. Let us know if there is anything we can do to make your trip more enjoyable and we will tailor a package to meet your needs and dreams. Our contact info can be found at the book a hunt page.

What do I need to bring?

Passport if flying, minimum of Birth Certificate and picture ID if driving (passport as well after Jan 2008)
Gun documentation (see next underlined question down below)
Your own shotgun, 12 Ga is best all around if you bring one gun only, but some hunters prefer a 10 Ga along for Geese. A lot of our younger hunters shoot 20 Ga with heavy shot on the big geese– most groups will bring an extra gun or two in case of malfunction
Shells may be brought with you or bought here. Expect to expend between 25 and 40 rounds daily while here.
Warm and/or Waterproof camouflage hunting clothes boots and gloves
A facemask and/or wide brimmed hat to reduce the glare off those shiny faces
Waders for launching the boats and repositioning rigs or wader hunts if you so desire (most hunts are over dry fields)
Youths under 18 should have a permission slip signed by both parents
If bringing in dogs you must have an up to date vaccination record with you and if flying a clean bill of health from a vet within the last 6 months.
A cooler for transporting the birds home (may also be bought here to save shipping one way)
Your personal toiletries and/or medicines. Towels and bedding are supplied along with the basic toiletries in your rooms.
Any liquor or beer you wish to consume is your responsibility.
An appetite! Dennis and Sheri will keep you well fed back at camp.
Most importantly, bring yourself! The laughs, fun, and camaraderie look after themselves.

How difficult is it to get a gun across the border?

We have a link to the Canadian firearms center in our links section. Simply follow the link and download form CAFC 909. Print out 3 copies per hunter, fill in all appropriate boxes in advance and sign in front of a customs agent at the border. A $25 Canadian fee will apply and you can bring in up to 3 firearms per form. It is also recommended that you stop at US Customs before crossing the border (or even in your own city if available) and register you shotguns and/or anything of value that you are bringing with you. This is not necessary but could save you a hassle if ever questioned on proof of ownership or point of purchase on high value items.

What about bringing ammo into Canada?

You have two options for ammo. You can either bring your own or we also do sell most types in camp. If you want something out of the ordinary let us know in advance. You may bring up to 200 rounds per person duty free if driving and dependant on the airline anywhere between 11 and 20 pounds if flying. Most of our flying hunters choose to buy ammunition here rather than deal with the extra hassle of flying with it.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes, we do allow obedient, well trained client dogs in camp. We do run 3-4 of our own finished labs but you are more than welcome to bring your own. Keep in mind that if you do not have a complete hunting party (5-6 hunters depending on the week) you may be hunting with another small group.

We do need to accommodate all of our hunters needs and there may be more than one hunter’s dog in camp any given week. Also if your dog breaks early and bust incoming birds it may be unfair to other hunters, therefore we have to deal with any of these issues on a case by case basis. Kenneling facilities are limited so you will need to bring your own portable kennel, if driving the dog may sleep in the porta-kennel in your vehicle or in your room. Dogs are welcome in the rooms but must stay off the furniture.

If I am flying and need liquor, sporting equipment, or a cooler for birds, is there somewhere to get it?

We ask all flying clients to let us know in advance if they will require a trip to Walmart, the liquor store or sporting goods store and we will arrange a stop on the way out to camp as long as the timing of your flight allows. We can also pick supplies up in advance by request.

Which airport do we fly into and how do we get to camp?

Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG) is located just 30 minutes from the main camp. We offer free pickup in the main camp or you may also rent a vehicle to drive out to camp.

The West camp requires you to either fly into Winnipeg (3 hrs driving) or Minot, ND (about 2 hrs away) and Drive.

What type of weather should we expect?

Well, this is waterfowling in Canada so conditions could be downright nasty or 80 above and sunshine. Temps may range from 20-70 but normally 30-55 would be a typical daily range. We normally get snow at least a few mornings each season and frost many mornings past the second week of October.

Which week is the best?

The early season slots are some of the easiest decoying birds of the season while the end of October usually has the biggest numbers of Mallards and honkers with as many as 20-30000 ducks in a single field. Of course later in the year decoying may be a bit tougher but there are more birds to deal with. October 1st to 20th is normally booked a year in advance by past clients due to the happy medium of decent weather and timing of the snow geese (these 3 weeks are the best time for snows, blues and Ross' while the early and later weeks are mainly ducks and the big Canadas). Early season can put as many as 8 species of ducks in front of you in dry field hunts or 15+ on the water.

We have averaged near 3/4 limits on both ducks and dark geese throughout season the last 3 years (approximately 9 birds per hunter daily) and only book the dates with the number of hunters we feel comfortable with being able to provide a quality hunt. The long and the short of it is any date is a good date and this being waterfowling, weather will play the biggest factor in the overall success of any day whether it be opening day, or the last day of season.

What days do you Hunt?

Although in Manitoba, hunting is allowed 7 days a week. Our 3 day hunt packages typically run from Monday Am until Wednesday at noon and from Thursday Am until Saturday at noon. Extra days and hunts may be purchased for Wednesday or Saturday afternoons and all day Sunday. Non-resident season starts in the last week of September and we book hunts until November 1st most years with the first week of November being a weather dependant hunt. Residents of Canada can normally start the second week of September and we will take residents on a daily or week-end basis up to the non-resident opener.

Do you combine groups?

In order to properly rest fields as well as in order to keep our prices in line, we require a minimum of 5-6 hunters to have your own separate guided group. We will combine smaller groups to make up this number on guided hunts. Partial service hunters that are using their own equipment may hunt in smaller parties. On any hunt that we combine smaller groups, ground rules are set out and followed to maintain a safe and fun hunt. The guide has ultimate authority on calling the shots and enforcing the rules. We have found this policy to work very well over the years.

What is your policy on alcohol?

We do not supply alcohol, but you are more than welcome to bring your own or purchase some once you get here. Alcohol is not permitted in the field or immediately before the hunts. After the shotguns are packed up and we are back at camp, you are more than welcome to have a cocktail.

Do your guides shoot with us?

Under Manitoba laws a guide may not hunt while actively guiding clients. So although you will always have a guide with you in the field to call, retrieve birds, run dogs, help with set-up etc… he will not be shooting or carrying a shotgun.

What is your cripple policy?

All reasonable efforts will be made to retrieve cripples. When we are close to a limit, we may have to stop the hunt to count birds or attempt a retrieve on a long cripple so that we do not accidentally go over our limits. If a bird is knocked out of a flock and we feel it will not survive, it will be counted towards your limit. Our retrievers pick up around 1000 birds each per year and rarely lose a cripple.

Can I bring along my calls?

Absolutely, we encourage clients to follow our lead and call along with us. Keep in mind though that your guide is a very experienced caller and knows these specific birds. If he asks you to change pace or stop calling, don’t take offense. Sometimes over-calling is worse than not calling at all.

What about young hunters?

Youth hunters (12-17) must be accompanied by an adult at all times (within sight). An adult must also import their firearms for them. We welcome young hunters in all of our camps. Youth’s must be 12 years of age in order to hunt in Manitoba. Non-hunting youths are also welcome to accompany a parent at a reduced rate.

What type of accommodations do we stay in?

In our main camp We rent all the rooms at Rubber Ducky Resort for the entire hunting season. Dennis and Sheri have new modern motel style suites and all meals are taken in a common recreation building complete with kitchen, games arcade, pool table and foosball. The Hot tub patio is also open to all guests.

Our west camp offers two options, the most popular is a comfortable country bed and breakfast with home cooked meals and the other option is hotel rooms in the nearby town with very good restaurant meals.

Do you offer discounted or partial service hunts?

We do offer packages where we supply everything but the guide and decoys. As well you may save a few dollars by pulling your own fifth wheel or travel trailer up and utilizing the full service sites at Rubber Ducky. You would need to email or call for specific details.

Are Deposits Refundable?

As with many seasonal businesses, we only have a limited number of days in which to try and make a profit each year (in our case about 40). A deposit benefits the client in holding their preferred spot but also is in place to safeguard the outfitter from loss of income in case of last minute cancellations. All deposits are transferable if you can find someone to take your spot, but unfortunately not refundable. In our experience it is normally not that difficult for a client to find a replacement hunter and recoup some or all of their deposit.

How Much Should I tip?

A very important question that is a bit awkward to bridge with your guide while in camp. Tips are based on the actual effort you feel the guide and or cooks put out for you. A typical guide tip is in the neighborhood of $25-$50 per day per hunter and cooks average about $10 per day per hunter. If you had a fantastic experience or a less than satisfactory one, you might tip much more or less. All guide and scouter tips are split evenly as both will be working their butt off for you and are equally as important even though you will spend the lions share of your time with your guide. You may very well have 3 or 4 different guides throughout your trip which is another reason these tips will be pooled. Keep in mind that a bad day is most likely not the fault of the guide.