As a freelance writer for WILDFOWL and a lifelong enthusiast, I spend as much time as possible each fall on the Canadian prairies. It's been my good fortune these past two seasons to have hunted with Kevin McNeil and his Blue Sky Outfitters operation in Alberta's Peace Country. While the ducks and geese are plentiful and particularly cooperative in his neck of the woods; its Kevin's easy-going style that makes hunting with him such a pleasure. He'll put you in the birds to be sure, but it's the whole experience that'll make you happy. And Kevin will be quick to tell you, "If you're happy, then I'm happy". It's a simple motto, but one that's genuine. And that says a lot!

Jack Hirt
(920) 526-3625
Glenbeulah, Wisconsin

This is the second year I have hunted with Kevin & Patti and am already working on next season. I really enjoy hunting this area and have had great results both years I have been there. Each year we seem to find an unusual setting that result in a true memory maker. This year we had two. The first was an afternoon diver hunt following our morning limit of geese. We set up on a little slew and ended up with eight different species of ducks  The second was a beaver pond that was just covered with mallards, it took almost twenty minutes for all the birds to leave, and when they started coming back, it was my new best hunt. We had to stop shooting a couple of times to let MAC, my faithful Black Lab, to catch up. Another memory was created here when MAC dove underwater for a bird and then leaped in the air on another occasion to get another.

You may contact me at mike@alaskanduckhunter.com or check out my web site at www.alaskanduckhunter.com

Mike Harned
Anchorage, Alaska

Hello Kevin and Patti

I wanted to say thanks again for the great hunt. Duck season has come in for us here in Kentucky and we are seeing some birds but with every hunt, our minds go back to Alberta. Our five and six bird groups working only remind us of those 100 and 200 groups of duck tornados dropping from the sky with no hesitation.

The time I had with my three sons and all the memories we made are priceless, especially my 12 year old blazing away at all the, in your face, goose action. I would recommend Blue sky to anyone and we will be back.

Mike Embry
270-866-7326

Kevin,

Kristina and I would like to thank you again for a wonderful hunt with Blue Sky Outfitters this September 2006. The goose and duck hunts were incredible, especially the birds landing in the decoys before we could even get the guns up to shoot! Talk about up close and in your face hunting. Your experience locating the birds and getting us setup in the right place, at the right time made the difference. We especially appreciated your focus on fun and safety as part of the hunting experience.

I have been hunting for 35 years and both Kristina and I have hunted throughout the US and Europe and we both agree; your services, accommodations, and location make for a wonderful hunting vacation. As you know, we have already booked for September 2007 along with my father and a colleague from work. We are certainly looking forward to more fun in the field next year. Please give our regards to Patti and Cody and thank them again for the hospitality.

We are more than happy to provide references to anyone interested in some of the best water fowling in North America.

Best regards,

Tom and Kristina Waldman
Gurnee, Illinois

Kevin,

I just wanted to thank you for the great hunt with my son in September. I have been hunting waterfowl for 40 years and I have never seen so many geese and ducks in one geographical area as we experienced with you. Your equipment and accommodations were first quality and the hunting was superb. I especially like shooting waterfowl when their feet are down and many times, I wish I were shooting my 28 gauge rather than my 12. We look forward to hunting with you next year when the greenheads are really green.

Thanks again and take care.

Terry Johnson
916-576-3702 Phone
916-576-3710 Fax
terry@sprg.com

I wanted to write and thank you and your family for the remarkable experience that my family and I had while goose and duck hunting with you. None of us will forget our time in Northern Alberta. We were truly amazed at the jaw dropping numbers of ducks and geese that filled the fields and skies during our hunt and the vast opportunity for close range shots. I know my freezer will be well stocked with ducks and geese for quite some time to come.

Because our family is spread out from Washington State to South Florida, every year our family tries to take a trip somewhere hunting or fishing to spend some time together. We couldn't have picked a better location or more knowledgeable outfitter. The comfortable blinds were the perfect place to do a little catching up as we watched the sun come up and the birds move from the water to the fields. The post-hunt breakfasts at the local cafes were nice places to talk about the limits of birds we had bagged that day and how the crooked barrels on our shotguns were the reason why we missed the ones we did.

My family is counting the days when we can return to Northern Alberta to spend more time with each other and with you and your family as well. It was nice to see how your family worked together to make our stay an enjoyable success. Stay in touch and God Bless.

Sincerely,

Paul Shogren
paulshogren@hotmail.com

Hi Kevin,

Thanks again for the great three days of hunting. We had a fabulous time. Although I cannot say when for sure, I do know that I will be back again. It was the best goose hunting I have ever had.

I'd especially like to thank you for treating us so well and after a few days it seemed like we had known you for years and we were the best of friends. My dad, 'shoot twice then aim' Callen, said on the way home that if we'd had the same hunting with an average guide it wouldn't have been half the fun. I just want you to know how much you personally made the trip so special for us. Thanks again.
Thanks again.

Chris (and Ralph) Callen

Kevin

When Kevin McNeil says "new birds", he means it. These were extremely Hunt able ducks and geese. We enjoyed one of the most relaxed waterfowl hunts I've been a part of, but our pace didn't slow the birds. Locals said the birds weren't down yet, but we had all the opportunity a hunter could ask for. Having access to an area like this is the reason a waterfowler goes to Canada.

Jay Strangis
Editor, Wildfowl magazine
Thanks for everything

Steve Martin, Memphis, Tennessee

Kevin and Patti,

This was a great trip, Kevin and Patti were great hosts, I have been on other guided hunts and this rates as my best experience so far. I was very lucky that the Mossy Oak film crew was in McLennan filming Kevin and I was the beneficiary as they gave me new Mossy Oak Camo Gear, but even getting new stuff couldn't compete with the great hunting. The first morning we got 32 ducks and 28 geese in just a few hours, it was non stop shooting. The next day was one of the most exciting duck hunts I have ever been a part of, the ducks completely covered the small dugout and even though they left when we set up for the film crew after our morning hunt they were back for a fantastic evening hunt. Small flocks but they never stopped coming till we had our limit. I was also able to meet some of the local people and get a feel for the community; you may contact me at mike@alaskanduckhunter.com

Mike Harned
Anchorage, Alaska

Dear Kevin and Patti:

Goose hunting is slowing down here in mid Saskatchewan now as winter is setting in so I thought I would drop you a note about how much I enjoyed hunting with you in September. I have had excellent waterfowling wherever I have lived, but the Peace River area is a cut above. Lots of birds, beautiful areas, low hunter densities, and great accommodations and company.

I was pleasantly surprised by the effort you put into the second hunt of each day. We had fresh fields, new birds, and full decoy sets rather than the usual fence line pass shoots near roost lakes. You did a great job of finding great areas and new birds for each hunt. It was a great experience.

You may share this note with prospective hunters. I would recommend you to the most critical waterfowler without reservation. Thanks again.
Dr. Charles H. Lobdell
Biggar, Saskatchewan
(306) 948-5292