Eider Borealis

5500$ / GUN / 6 DAY TRIP
TABATIERE AREA & MINGAN AREA

*All Borealis Eider hunting trips include lodging and meals
*Daily limit of 6 ducks/day including Long-tailed Ducks (kakawis)

The Common Eider is without a doubt an emblematic bird of the St. Lawrence River and eastern Canada, one that has helped shape the Côte-Nord region of Quebec. Its down has been used for several centuries, and it has always been an important resource for the peoples who have lived — and still live today — in the coastal regions of eastern Quebec.

There are 3 subspecies of Common Eider in Quebec that occupy nearly the entire St. Lawrence estuary: the Southern Eider (S.m. Dresseri), the Hudson Bay Eider (S.m. Sedentaria), and the Northern Eider (S.m. Borealis). Each has its own particularities in terms of spatial distribution, but they all use the same type of habitat.

The 2 subspecies targeted by our hunting expeditions are the Common Eider (Dresseri) and the Northern Eider (Borealis). The southern subspecies (S.m. Dresseri) nests in the estuary between Montmagny and the Lower North Shore and migrates to the eastern United States in late fall, while the Borealis nests off the coasts of Labrador-Newfoundland up to Nunavut, then winters partly in the northwestern section of the St. Lawrence.

The Borealis Eider, the primary target of this type of expedition, is without question a gem among migratory birds, and pursuing it represents the ultimate adventure for any waterfowler looking to broaden their hunting experiences in Quebec!

The hunting experience we offer takes place on the Lower North Shore, from October 20 to January 30, with the exact area determined based on ice conditions and daily weather. Thanks to the particularities and traditions associated with this species, we're fortunate to have a late hunting season in Quebec, allowing us to harvest Common Eiders and Long-tailed Ducks until February 14 in certain coastal or island sectors.

A group of a minimum of 2 people up to a maximum of 4 people is required to make a reservation. We hunt from a boat, a "layout boat," or from rocky points depending on the weather or the area we're hunting in.

We offer 2 different types of expeditions for the Borealis: one in the Mingan area, reachable by Route 138 to the community of Havre-Saint-Pierre (hunting dates from Jan. 7 to Jan. 30), and the other in La Tabatière (October 20 to December 1), which can only be reached by ferry from the end of Route 138 at Kegaska, or by plane.

La Tabatière area (October 15th to December 1st)
La Tabatière is a coastal region of Quebec whose communities have been isolated since the early 1800s.
You can get there by plane or by boat. Traveling by ferry with the "Relais Nordique" from the end of Route 138 at Kegaska takes approximately 24 hours.

This region is steeped in history and shaped by the harsh environment of the Lower North Shore.
Due to a population decline over the past several years, hunting pressure in this sector is almost nonexistent, making it a destination for eider hunting of a quality unmatched anywhere in the world. The hunting period we operate in allows us to target mainly mature birds migrating to their wintering grounds.

Mingan area(January 7 to January 30)
The other hunting territory we operate on the Lower North Shore lies between Mingan and Kegaska. It's located about 11 hours by road east of Quebec City. If traveling by car, plan on 1 to 2 days for travel there and back.

It's also possible to fly from Montreal or Quebec City airport to Sept-Îles airport, then take a connecting flight to Havre-Saint-Pierre airport. For more information on air travel, we'd be happy to help plan your trip!

The environment we hunt in is breathtaking — the landscape is rugged and grand, and the people who live there will charm you with their hospitality and the folklore they're proud to share.

It's important to note that this type of hunting is subject to waiting days due to poor weather conditions that sometimes prevent us from going out. Given the time of year and the more unpredictable marine environment, we may not be able to go out for several consecutive days. In that case, other activities may be offered, such as ptarmigan, hare, and partridge hunting.

*It's important to be equipped with gear suited to winter conditions, and we'll provide you with proper guidance upon booking.