Guest Info & FAQs.
Everything you need to know before your hunt — getting here, the lodge, what to bring, firearms, and the answers to questions hunters ask most.
Arrival & logistics.
Fly Into Saskatoon
Saskatoon International Airport (YXE) is the closest. Plan to rent a vehicle at the airport — the drive to North Battleford is 80 minutes on Highway 16, no gravel.
Lodge Check-In
Hunters stay at the Gold Eagle Lodge in Battleford — just off Highway 16, an easy hour-plus from YXE. All hunting fields are a short drive from the lodge.
Crossing The Border
Allow extra time for both Canadian and US Customs. We'll send a welcome package with the firearm declaration paperwork — fill it out in advance to save time at the line.
5-star comfort at the Gold Eagle Lodge.
By far the most luxurious lodge in the Saskatchewan region, the Gold Eagle Lodge is your home away from home. Hot tubs, pool, sauna, steam room, fitness center, business center, friendly staff, and high-quality furnishings.
Hunters from the same group are typically accommodated 2 per room unless other arrangements are made ahead of time. Single rooms, king suites, Jacuzzi tub suites, full-kitchen suites, and even penthouse suites can be made available for an extra cost.
- · Pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room
- · High-speed internet & Wi-Fi
- · Fitness center, laundry, ATM
- · 100% smoke-free
- · Baggage storage, elevators, safety deposit box
All meals included.
Your guide arrives in the morning with fresh coffee, muffins, doughnuts, granola bars, snacks, bottled water, and soft drinks for the ride and the field. After the morning hunt, your guide takes you to our favorite breakfast/brunch spot.
After the evening hunt, dinner rotates through our hand-picked local restaurants — traditional steakhouse to sports bar. Open menu, no restrictions. Gluten-free options available. Fully stocked bar (alcohol not included in the package).
What the morning looks like.
The Morning Hunt
Your guide picks you up at the lodge early and you drive a short distance to the hunt location — usually a recently harvested pea or barley field. We typically target geese in the morning and ducks in the afternoon. Decoys and blinds are set up, your guide goes over safety and shooting guidelines, and the action starts at first light.
We specialize in getting the birds to finish — wings cupped, feet down, right on top of the blind. It's not uncommon to limit out in under an hour. After the hunt, photos, pack up, and head back to town for brunch.
The Afternoon Hunt
After a hearty meal, we decide on options for the afternoon. Most days, that's an evening pothole duck hunt or another field shoot for snow geese. If you limited out in the morning, you can take the afternoon off to relax, or come scout the next day's fields with your guide.
Getting here, and what to expect.
Airports
Fly into Saskatoon International (YXE). North Battleford has a 5,000 ft private airstrip (YQW) for private planes.
Rental Cars at YXE
Budget: 306-244-7925
Enterprise: 306-664-4454
Thrifty: 306-244-8000
Book early to ensure availability.
Travel Agent
Uniglobe Carefree Travel — 1-800-565-6562. Mention you're hunting with Prairies Edge for competitive pricing. Not affiliated; just a recommendation.
Passport
Required to enter Canada from any other country (including the USA). A passport card works for car travel only.
Weather & Temps
September: lows 39°F / highs 72°F
October: lows 26°F / highs 58°F
Expect 2–3 rainy days per fall and a chance of snow late October. We hunt rain or shine.
What To Wear
Moisture-wicking long underwear, 2 layers + a 3rd outer layer for cold mornings, baseball cap or wool toque, good boots, blind bag or small backpack.
Bring your gun, or rent ours.
Rent A Shotgun
12-gauge semi-auto Franchi (made by Benelli) shotguns at $55/day/gun. No baggage fees, no customs delays. A rental agreement signs at pickup.
Bring Your Own
$25/firearm at customs. We provide the firearms declaration in your welcome package. 12 ga semi-auto preferred — but 20 ga and 10 ga can be accommodated with advance notice.
Shells Provided
3-inch steel in BB, #2, or #3 shot — included in your package. Bringing your own? You can carry up to 200 rounds across the border, or stop at Cabela's in Saskatoon en route.
Saskatchewan waterfowl rules.
Daily Bag Limits
- Ducks: 8 / day (pintail sub-limit 4)
- Dark geese (Canadas/specks): 8 / day, speck sub-limit 5. No dark goose hunting after noon until Oct 15.
- White geese (snows/Ross): 20 / day, no possession limit
- Sandhill crane: 5 / day
- Possession: 3 × daily bag for ducks/dark geese
Regulations
- Shooting hours: ½ hr before sunrise to ½ hr after sunset
- Shotgun must be plugged — magazine can't hold > 2 shells
- One fully-feathered wing must remain attached during transport
- Non-toxic shot only (steel, bismuth, etc.)
- Cannot ship migratory birds belonging to another person into the US
Prairies Edge Outfitting is a fully licensed Saskatchewan professional waterfowl outfitter (#C6002). We have a strong relationship with local Fish & Wildlife officers and follow every regulation to the letter — your guide will always ensure laws and limits are obeyed during your hunt.
Before you book.
How do I book a hunt?
Confirm your dates and number of hunters with Mike. We'll send a welcome package with forms to mail back along with a check for the deposit. Your dates aren't held until the deposit is received.
What's the deposit and cancellation policy?
50% non-refundable deposit reserves your dates. Balance due August 1. Both deposits and final payments are non-refundable for any reason — including illness, death, divorce, or natural disasters. We strongly recommend purchasing third-party trip cancellation insurance through our Global Rescue partner page.
How many hunters can you book?
From 1 single hunter to a maximum of 24. Group sizes per blind are typically 6–8 shooters per guide; smaller groups may be matched with other hunters unless otherwise agreed.
Where in Saskatchewan are you based?
The small city of North Battleford. The Gold Eagle Lodge is just off Highway 16 in Battleford — about 80 minutes from Saskatoon International Airport.
What airport do I fly into?
Saskatoon International Airport — YXE.
How do I get to North Battleford from the airport?
Rent a vehicle at YXE and take Highway 16 west. The drive is about 80 minutes — paved highway, no gravel or rough roads.
What's the best time of year to hunt waterfowl in Saskatchewan?
There's no single "best" time — we hunt from early September until late October every year, and we'll put you on birds whenever you come. Historically there have been better times for specific species. Talk to Mike about your goals and we'll match you to the right week.
Can I bring my bird dog?
Only if you book a private group — to avoid conflicts with other hunters who may have different ideas about dog handling. Lodging arrangements need to be discussed in advance.
Can I bring my birds home?
Yes — 3 days' limit of birds can be brought home as long as the hunter who shot them accompanies them in transit. Shipping birds is illegal. We have coolers available for purchase and will pack them for airline transport.
How much should I tip?
Tips aren't required but are greatly appreciated and a meaningful part of your guides' living. The amount should reflect how hard your guides and scouts worked — not just how many birds were harvested. Industry standard is 10–20% of the total hunt cost.
Can I donate birds I don't want to take home?
Absolutely. We have long-standing relationships with local landowners and low-income families who appreciate the meat. Anything left at season's end goes to a local butcher and is made into sausage and jerky. Nothing is wasted.
What kind of blinds do you hunt out of?
One of two: comfortable Tanglefree layout blinds (sometimes called coffin blinds), or A-frame willow/brush blinds. Your guide picks based on terrain and natural cover.
Do I need waders?
No. The majority of our hunting is on dry fields, and any water hunts we run are in small, shallow potholes.
How experienced are your guides?
Led by Mike McLane, who has been guiding since 2009. Our guides are seasoned experts with years of experience — they know Saskatchewan's terrain, waterfowl patterns, and how to make every hunt successful.
Do you guide crane hunts separately?
Crane hunts are included as part of any waterfowl hunt — when cranes are present in the area. Guides decoy cranes in the morning, then shift to duck or goose patterns in the afternoon.
What's the difference between snow geese and Ross geese?
Both are white-bodied geese. Ross geese are smaller, with shorter necks and stubby bills. Snow geese are larger, have blue morphs, and occur in far greater numbers during the migration.
Do you clean and process the birds after the hunt?
Yes. We offer bird cleaning services and pack everything for transport home.
What about odd-numbered groups or single hunters needing a private room?
You'll only ever share a room with someone from your own party. Odd-numbered groups may get a family suite (2 queens + 1 king). Single hunters and anyone wanting a private room pay a private-room fee.
What about trip insurance?
We strongly recommend it given the non-refundable deposit policy. Use our Global Rescue partner page to get coverage for your hunt.