Meet your Pro staff guides .... plus Q&A
with Dan “ Canada Dan “ Lecuyer
Dan
Lecuyer Owner/Manager
Professional Master Guide Wildlife Educator, Whitetail, Moose,
Bear, Waterfowl
Dan grew up in
the hunting lodge business. Assisting other veteran guides on
their hunts at a young age, learning most of his skills through
his father who started the lodge in the mid 40s. Dan's knowledge
of BIG GAME Animals, Waterfowl and their habitat has produced a
great many super hunts for his many clients. As well, Dan's
abilities have helped train more than 35 professional working
guides. Dan has done many seminars on big game hunting as well
as water fowling and written articles as well. Dan oversees all
aspects of his clients' hunts as well as being a working guide
himself. At the lodge each evening to help answer any questions
at days end, as well as insuring all goes smooth for both guest
as well as staff.. |
Gordy Belvin
Professional Master Guide
White Tail, Moose, Bear, Waterfowl
Gordy came
to us with a vast amount of hunting skills. Raised in northern
Quebec he started out guiding for caribou, moose, bear and
waterfowl. Then on to Anticost guiding for deer. He is one of
the best in the business at calling in big bull moose as he has
guided bow hunters for moose for years. Hunting and trapping
most all his life, he brings us a tremendous amount of high
quality skills which has helped in producing some giant bull
moose, trophy bucks, pig black bears and fast action waterfowl
shooting for his clients for over the last 20 years. His love
for the bush and excellent scouting abilities have paid off
handsomely for our guests. |
Lorne
Jackson
Master Guide
Whitetail, Moose
Lorne has
over 20 years big game guiding experience. He is known by many
of his hunting buddies as 'Lucky', always seems to be in the
right place at the right time. Lorne is an electrical engineer
by trade. Taking time away from this to pursue something he
loves to do each fall. With excellent big bush sense, hunting
skills and a vast knowledge of Whitetails, Moose and their
habitat. This has provided many trophies for the past clients. |
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Rich
Organ
Professional Master Guide
Whitetail, Moose, Bear, Waterfowl
Rich's attitude
and bush wise skills, have placed him highly respected by both
his clients as well as his fellow professionals. With over 26
years experience on Moose, Waterfowl and 12 years experience
guiding for Whitetail and Bear. An avid outdoors man, with a
great knowledge for the bush and the animals. One of our top
deer guides the past 3 years. |
Jerry
Lecuyer
Master Guide
Whitetail, Moose
Dan's brother
Jerry has over 27 years in deer and moose hunting. He grew up in
the business and has had excellent success in his ability to
call Big Moose. Taking time off each fall to guide in Big Bush
as well as Farmland Whitetail hunts. During this coming moose
and deer season, let Jerry help put you on your next trophy. |
Wayne
Spingle
Professional Master Guide
Whitetail, Moose, Bear, Waterfowl
Wayne has
over 15 years experience in Moose and waterfowl hunts. In
addition to his 10 years Whitetail deer hunting, his specialty
being Big Bush and Island Whitetails. His keen sense and
knowledge of Big deer habitat combines with his location and
tracking skills are second to non His guests continue to harvest
trophy Whitetails, Moose, Bear and fast action Water fowling
experiences |
Everett
Jackson
Master Guide
Whitetail, Moose
'EV' has over 35
years experience in Big Bush hunting for Whitetails and Moose.
Not many know it any better. Coming from a long line of hunters
in a large family. is skills in locating, tracking are some of
the best in the business. Ev is a master mechanic by trade. We
are very fortunate to have his services during the fall hunting
season. |
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
With ......... Dan “ Canada Dan “ Lecuyer |
The following questions are those that
have been most asked by hunters inquiring and coming on one of our world
class hunts. They may help in answering several questions you your self
may have. However, as we treat each hunt and each hunter as important as
the last, we welcome any questions you may have in regards to our
facilities, and our duck hunt.
Q: Is your duck hunting any good and what kind of waterfowl
shooting could I expect hunting with you?
A: Yes, our duck hunting is great! To understand just what makes
it so good. Let me first tell you a little about our location and duck
populations. We are locate 70 miles north of Minnesota
( U.S.A ) and only 60 miles east of the bordering Province of Manitoba.
North Dakota is just to the south west approx. 70 miles. We are the
largest lake of any next to the prairies. However it’s not that easy a
place to hunt, as the lake is huge with thousands of back bays and
islands. The combination of the larger number of natural nesting sites,
tremendous forage, combined with the tough access to the different areas
is what makes for our having a lot of super water fowling. Your group
will never have to hunt the same areas with us, more than one time.
Never, with other hunters. Your shots will all be close range as this is
the first time these birds have ever been shot at. Being at the head of
the Mississippi fly way, we are located where the major source of ducks
are every year?
Q: How would you say you hunting stacks up against say
Saskatchewan or Alberta ducks?
A: Yes, we most definitely can and do ! We are a world class
water fowl location. Ducks may feed in fields...... but ducks always
need water, and they like lots of water! Not counting the great lakes,
Lake Winnipeg or Manitoba, great slave or great bear all farther north.
We are the largest piece of water next to the prairies! We are also the
largest producer of natural wild rice ... which ducks love! Plus, for
the diver ducks, we have a tremendous amount of fresh forage in our
waters. Wet years, or dry years our duck hunting is tops! You can’t find
this anywhere else! With the ever changing weather patterns we are
seeing each year, prarie pot hole shooting is not as stable as our hunts
are. Our hunters harvest bird's, year in, year out!
Q: What are your limits, for ducks and grouse?
A: Ducks are 6 per day 12 possession and grouse are 5 per day 15
possession.
Q: how many hunters do you take in a year?
A: We try to watch this very close. Although we can accommodate a
lot of hunters. We choose to not take more than 4 groups of hunters at
one time. This gives our guests the very best service, excellent amount
of hunting areas, little or no pressure, as well as fresh areas for each
group. Also, we can easily service the hunters we have so that everyone
has an equal shooting opportunity. Our hunts run from around mid Sept.
to mid Nov. each year. With a minimum of 2 hunters to a max of 6 hunters
per boat and we have 5 - 21' boats with full tops and 150hp motors,
extra large fuel tanks to take you to wherever the birds are. We also
own a 6 person hovercraft.
Q: How are the accommodations laid out and service. What exactly
do you have and what do you provide in your duck hunting package?
A: That’s a terrific question as Iv herd a number of horror
stories over the years. You know the typical bad hunting story
like............
” we had to stay in a trashy place and bunk with people we didn’t know,
heat didn’t work in the place, water froze, dirty,had to wait for a
guide to show up, his equipment wasn’t working properly, we were grouped
in with other hunters, guide didn’t seem to know much about nothing and
didn’t seem to really care either, we hunted areas already shot up by
earlier groups, we never arrived out to the blinds till just about day
light, all the extra charges and add-ons we received after we arrived,
nothing was as they said prior to arrival !!!! “ There are plenty of
horror stories just like these few mentioned.
So what sets us apart?
First, we are a 5 star fishing lodge during the summer season. So, our
hunting clients may take advantage of super accommodations, your own
cabin is provided with single beds, insulated, electric heat, 4 piece
baths, room service. We own our own equipment all is either new or late
model. Our guides are on our staff full time. You meals are prepared in
our own 2,000 square foot main lodge, around your schedual. Our package
is truly all inclusive and any extras are clearly stated. We furnish
cabin, meals, pro staff guides, transportation to and from hunting
areas, processing of all birds and fish lots more. We are full time
outfitters and we have a major investment here, maintaining high
standards at all times.
Q: How long have you been a water fowl outfitter? Are you
licensed? insured?
A: We are fully licensed outfitters and also carry insurance.
Iv owned my business here, “ Lecuyer’s Lodge “ since 1984. Our Ontario
Outfitter number is #19943. I grew up in this business and
started guiding with my dad and brothers at a very young age. Came up
through the ranks as they say and have learned a lot. Still learn a
little something new each time I go out! Iv two daughter's,
ages 15, and 18, both have hunters safety and hunt with me now as well!
Important to all our clients as well, our experience, the fact that our
families the original founders of our lodge, established in 1946, From
the ground up. Wild game has always played a role in our families life,
either providing our food and sporting enjoyment. To allowing us to
guide and accommodate water fowl hunters from around the world. Hunting
... is a major part of our business, not a side line! There are probably
less than a hand full, of the original owner operators still in this
business. People who held a real feel and love for this way of life.
Most all the the old good ones have slowly died off. I personally
believe no matter what type of hunt your on ... experience of the
outfitter can make all the difference for the client!
Q: Do you use baiting on your hunts?
A: NO, we absolutely do not! We pride ourselves with being one of
Canada’s TOP FAIR CHASE outfitters for Duck hunts. We ( my grand father,
father, uncles, brothers and I ) have hunted pretty much the same way
for over 70 years here now. It’s not new to us! We use a lot of advance
scouting to help put our clients on the ducks, we do not bait! We do
make use of calls and decoys.
Q: What do you mean fair chase hunt? What exactly is your style
of hunting?
A: Well to start with. We do not chase ducks down with boats nor
do we use baiting. We start with good old hard work. Lots of scouting
through lakes and ponds. Some places we may hunt are very traditional,
in that we can pretty much count from year to year big bunches of duck
will move in. But for the most part we are constantly searching out new
places. The ducks themselves pretty much tell you in their own way,
where they want to be. Keeping eye open every day of the year. Our PRE
SCOUTING IS 90% of our clients hunt! Then of course, there is the 10%
luck factor, eh!
We hunt the mornings and have you in your blinds a good hour before
legal shooting time and are back to the docks by around 9:30 - 10 am
with limits daily.
Q: What kind of hassles is there in bring my gun into Canada? Are
there any costs?
A: The Government of Canada has each non resident complete a form
if you are going to be bring a weapon into Canada. The cost of this form
is $50.00 CND funds ( approx. $30.00 U.S. ) You may bring several per
hunter at no additional cost. It is really no big deal. The form
requests your name, address, phone number, type of weapon you are bring
into the country, action on weapon, barrel length, purpose of bring
weapon in, dates you will be in the country, border crossing you will be
entering Canada.
Q: How do I get this paper work? Where do I send it to?
A: We forward to each hunter a most complete hunters booking kit.
This is filled with lots of information including; brief itinerary,
suggested personal items to bring along, some laws and rules for
entering Canada, updated gun laws, the exact forms required to fill out
for bring your weapons into Canada, separate paper work with exact fax
numbers to get pre approval for entering with your weapons. This is a
very important thing ( pre approval form ) as it will save valuable time
entering Canada. We happen to be located near on of very few border
crossings in all of Canada that allow pre approval. This saves our
hunting clients tons of valuable time, as average crossing time is only
about 5 min. per hunter with pre approval!
Q: Speaking on the guns, what size and what size shots and loads
would you suggest to bring?
A: I recommend, 20 or 12 shot guns. Shots must be non toxic
steel, bismuth, etc. Of course steel shot being the least expensive I
would suggest bring #5 or #6 in these. These will insure a good knock
down power which is important with. Our northern birds which are very
fat and heaved laden with pin feathers. For grouse #7 will work fine.
Q: Do you allow non hunters, say wives, girl friends etc. to come
along? What would be the costs?
A: Yes, we have a very beautiful place here, clean cabins,
beautiful main lodge and we welcome non hunters to join with you. There
is a daily charge of $100.00 per non hunter per day plus tax. Also,
there is a two person ( hunters ) minimum per hunting party. Anyone
coming by themselves will be charged a two person rate. This is because
we do not group hunters up, as well we are committing complete services
individually to each group so our costs are much hire.
Q: When are we taken to our blinds and when do we return to the
lodge? Do we return to the
lodge for lunch? What are legal shooting times?
A: Your guides will have you in your blinds a good hour before
legal shooting time. You are out in the field hunting return back to the
lodge around 9:30 - 10 am. Legal shooting time is half hour before sun
rise, to half hour after sunset. We keep sun rise, sunset charts at the
lodge.
Q: Is the guide with me the whole time?
A: The guide is with your party the entire duck hunt.
Q: When I'm lucky enough to harvest my duck limits, what else
would there be for me to do to fill in my day and weeks stay?
A: You will have several choices! We can provide at no charge to
you, a 16' lund boat with new 25hp merc motor, including gas for you to
enjoy some fantastic fishing with. We have super fall walleye, bass,
pike, muskie and crappie fishing here. Also, you may decide to go
ruffled grouse hunting as we have a lot here with plenty of trails to
walk. There are no additional charges for this.
Q: What happens after I shoot my duck limit for the two days
possession but have booked a 5 day hunt? Do I have to stop shooting?
A: As we operate our hunts in a legal and ethical way. We will
not allow you to possess more than your legal limit. However, if you are
coming for a 5 day hunt. We will process the ducks for you in the
following ways. The first 3 days of your hunt we will breast the birds,
giving them to our cook who will marinate them wrapping them in bacon
and slow barbeque them each day for the tastiest treats you’ll ever
experience! The last 2 days we will pluck gut wash and wrap for you to
take home. This keeps you legal, within your limits each day. Allowing
you to hunt for the full 5 days you want to come for
Q: Ok, so you have a good duck hunting package, but what are the
extra costs , add on's, hidden costs?
A: The only additional costs to our hunting package is as stated,
Tax 11.5%, Gratuities, fees for bring fire arms into Canada ( approx.
$35.00 U.S. ), taxidermy, transportation to our lodge. There are
absolutely no hidden costs, or add on's as well we have no extra
charges!
Q: Do you have references available and are some from hunters?
A: Yes, I think it very important that anyone who is planning a
water fowl hunt, to indeed ask for references. These people will help to
confirm the quality of the outfitters place, equipment, meals, guides,
whether the outfitter new his stuff and worked hard. Also, was
everything as the outfitter said it would be when they hunted with him.
Nothing is a guarantee,.... however good hunts don’t happen by chance!
These are but a few questions some that our hunters ask. Check with us
from time to time for updates to these questions and additions. Feel
free to ask us any questions you have. With our experience we cater to
both the ardent seasoned hunter, the part timer and the novice alike.
Large groups, corporate groups, family hunts everyone is treated with
the same positive attitude and old fashioned hard work that make for a
top quality hunting experience here at Lecuyer’s. I hope to personally,
speak with anyone taking their time, reading through these Q & A in
helping answer any other personal questions they may have. Ultimately,
helping them realize their very own Canadian water fowl hunt!
Respectfully;
Dan Lecuyer |
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SOMETHING TO REMEMBER ........
.....You can expect to pay a fair dollar,
for nice clean grain ...
Or, .. you can buy grain that's already
been used .... for a cheaper price !!
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