Published in ‘The Bird Hunting Report- April 2001’:

Mr. M. Bagley Walker Jr. of North Dakota, gives an enthusiastic thumbs up to an upland bird hunt he discovered in Alberta this past season. He writes, “For four decades I have hunted waterfowl in the Canadian Prairies. During those years I also kept an eye out for upland birds. Last October I found the best hunting ever - lots of birds, a great camp, a delightful guide and a superb camp cook.” Located near Empress, Alberta, east of Calgary near the Saskatchewan border is a small camp catering only to upland hunters. Peter McAra of Riverhills Outfitting has a newly opened lodge that overlooks the river and can accommodate up to twelve hunters. “After breakfast, the guides drive to the hunting sites, which are hedgerows and old farmsteads sparsely scattered about vast harvested grain fields. The day I hunted there our group got a dozen Huns and 18 Sharptails by noon. We flushed coveys of Huns every hour! Most sharptails did not fly to the horizons, as I have grown accustomed to seeing them do. Instead these ducked back into the hedges in front of us.”

            “McAra has pointing and flushing dogs, although hunters are welcome to bring their own. His knowledge of the area and contacts with landowners are extensive. He is also a treat to spend the day with. Speaking of unexpected treats, the camp cook is a chef of exceptional talents who served the best meals I’ve seen in any hunting camp anywhere.”

Suggested hunts are from three to five days and are all inclusive. Pick-up from the Airport in Calgary or Edmonton is available for a small extra charge. McAra can also set-up Goose Hunting just over the Saskatchewan border with a camp specializing in Specklebellies or just go enjoy the Huns!

                                                                                    M. Bagley Walker Jr.