Itinerary - What to Expect While You’re Here

Arrival Day

Arrive at the Edmonton International Airport then drive rental vehicle down to Hardisty (about 120 miles/2 hour drive SE of Edmonton; use this Google Maps pin to get here). Arrival to the lodge is expected anytime after 3pm and preferably before 6pm.
Take the first evening here to get familiar with the Lodge and our amenities and to meet our team (see Meet the Team for a headstart).
A delicious home-cooked dinner will be served, and shortly before dinner we will have an orientation briefing by Mike. Time for departure in the morning and a Pin for the field location will also be set and sent.

These two days can be nearly identical in schedule but have potential to be very different in their respective experiences.

The Guide will text a pin to one of the hunters the evening before the hunt and advise when the group should leave in the morning for the hunt. The hunter can then open the pin on their phone and follow the directions to the field in their own\rental vehicle. Dress in layers and be ready for a potentially cold morning!
Hunters will be met at the desired meeting spot at the edge of the field by one of the guides, proceed then to follow him to the blind.
Morning hunt typically lasts 3 hours or finishes early if the group’s total bird limit is reached.
Once the morning hunt concludes, the group will then drive themselves back to the Lodge for brunch prepared by Kathy and crew
Our goal is to provide each group the opportunity to fulfill your DAILY limit of ducks and geese each morning hunt. The extent of that goal being reached will determine if an evening hunt is needed.

When an evening hunt occurs, once again the guide will send one of the group a pin to the location of the hunt and will advise when the group should leave the lodge. This means that you have from after brunch until that time to enjoy other amenities described on the homepage and/or have a nap!

Evening hunts last until approximately 8:00pm or legal at the start of the season to approximately 7:00pm or legal at the end of the season.
Dinner is served after the hunt is concluded. After dinner, our groups are most often seen around a bonfire, lounging in the upstairs games room, watching the “big game” or resting up for another early rise the next day.

Morning hunt will happen similarly to Days 1 and 2.
Departure time from the Lodge will be 1pm at the latest, likely shortly after noon. This time ensures that shell and bird count can be finalized and paid for before leaving, while also making sure the Lodge can be prepared in time for the next group of hunters.
If you requested to take birds home with you (done in advance via our Hunter Information Form and/or by speaking with Mike), these will be ready before you leave.
If not requested in advance, we will not be able to fulfill your request as there are special requirements for how the birds must be processed for transporting them.
The staff will see you off and we will be looking forward to the next chance we get to share a great hunting experience with you!