Mentored Hunts

Thank you for your interest in waterfowl hunting and Team Lady Fowlers!

TLF mentored group hunts are two-day events. On Saturday we gather in the morning and spend a few “classroom” hours on an introduction to waterfowling. We will cover things such as habitat, behavior, bird ID, decoy spreads, shotgun operation and safety, and field care of birds. Then we move onto our practice course for a hands-on, real-life introduction to setting up blinds, a decoy spread, and shooting clay practice targets. Sunday is the hunt! All participants will wake up early and head out for a morning field hunt focusing on Canada geese, and see the process through with dressing and packaging birds before heading home with any meat earned by the group.

TLF mentored hunts are for beginner to intermediate levels of experience with waterfowl hunting. You do NOT need any experience with hunting or shooting to participate. You do not need your PAL. While TLF is all about working with ANYONE interested in waterfowling, the Ladies Mentored Hunts address the issues and perspectives of women hunters, and will be a weekend for women. (Note that male mentors may be present during the training day and hunts.) Mentored hunts are intended for women who are eager to learn about waterfowl hunting, and our hope is that participants will build on the skills they learn after the weekend, and take them into the field. It is important to note that mentored hunts are "real" training and hunting. Mentored hunt weekends are not intended as a retreat (though personal growth could be a side-effect!), nor are they guided hunts. All participants should come into mentored hunt weekends expecting to learn and participate fully in the waterfowling experience.

For more about what a mentored hunt is and answers to other questions, please click here: FAQ

REQUIRED FOR A TLF MENTORED HUNT:

Hunter Education Certificate
Manitoba Game Bird license
Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Permit
The items you will need for an overnight stay (sleeping bag, toiletries, medications, etc.)
Comfortable closed-toe shoes or boots. Conditions may be wet or muddy!
Rain/wet weather gear
Camo or drab colored clothing for hunt Sunday
A teachable attitude and enthusiasm for learning about waterfowl and waterfowl hunting!!!

You do NOT need your own shotgun for a TLF mentored hunt. You may learn something about gun fit, type, and/or style on the weekend that may inform a purchase, so even if you were planning on buying one you might want to wait! That said, if you already own a 12-gauge shotgun that you are comfortable shooting, please do bring it.

Appropriate 12-gauge ammunition will be provided for all participants for both the target practice day and field hunt.

COOL - I WANT IN - NOW WHAT?!

TLF usually hosts two main fall mentored hunt weekends. We usually issue an announcement via our email list first, and if there are any spaces that are not filled we will advertise via social media, etc. Historically TLF has donated mentored hunt spots as auction items at the Manitoba Wildlife Federation's Becoming an Outdoors Woman program in the spring. Registration forms open up here on the website, and then you will then receive an email within an day or two informing you of whether you have a spot on the hunt, or if you have been placed on the waiting list. Spots will be granted in order of forms received, this will be according to the time stamp on the digital form notification.

Finally, you must secure your spot with a payment. The cost of the weekend in 2026 was $125. You will receive instructions to submit an e-transfer if you are among the successful applicants. If payment is not received within the time specified in the email (a day or two) your name will go to the bottom of the waiting list. If you have been placed on the waiting list, you will receive an email if a spot opens up. Wait-listed participants will have three days to confirm their place and submit a payment.