Canada

[hnkrhntr]

Thinking about canada for next year but dont have any connections there. was wondering what your guys plan of attack has been in the past? how many days, who to ask, areas, any advice would be great!

[TopFlightWaterfowling]

One of these years ill find the time to make it up there, I've heard the stories and seen pics.

[calling4life]

I believe you now need a passport, and a great idea would be to call the game wardens up there. Or whoever polices the outdoors up there.

They would probably be a great help as far as forms you'll need, and be able to help you with areas that hold a lot of birds, and what parts hold what birds. I don't think people really like giving away their spots, so this may be a better option, but you never know.

You also have to decide what you want, if you want to shoot more specks, I think west would be your best bet, if you want greater snows, I believe those are on the east side, so decide what you exactly are after as well.

How long should you go....as long as you can would be a good answer to that.

Prepare for what you'll hit, watch weather reports, and know if you'll hit harsh conditions. If there will be ice, you'll need a way to break it, if you want to hunt water.

If there will be snow, you'll need snow covers etc....

[spaightlabs]

you can make your life a lot easier if you can get in with a group that's done it before. It's not impossible to wing it on your own, but the first year isn't as easy as guys think it's gonna be.

pick your crew carefully - I've seen a few groups of friends implode on trips like this.

Like most things, the key is hard work - can't get lazy and think you're gonna grind 'em.

First reg someone will get tripped up on is that they won't let ya in if you have a dui on your record - every year guys get to the border and get turned back for this - major bummer so get that stuff figgered out in advance.

there have been a bunch of threads on this in the past as well that you might find useful.

[PEI Duck Guy]

Calling4life has some great info, such as passport, calling CO's etc, time of year etc. The time & what part of Canada you want to hunt will certainly decide for you what you will shoot. Alberta, Sask, Manitoba, are great places to hunt. Ontario is awesome, the Maritimes (PEI, NS, & NB) offer great shooting as well but again depends on the time of year and what you're looking for. For example if you want to shoot Black ducks (4 a day) then PEI is your best choice !!! :D For geese & ducks by the thousands then Alberta. If you want to shoot geese, Old Sqaw, Golden-eyes & puddlers than Ontario . If you want to shoot Eiders than Nova Scotia or New Brunswick. These are just some examples, I'm sure each province offers more than I've just said, I'm barely even scratching the surface. There are alot of great outfitters that will put you on the birds. Check out St.Lawrence Outfitters web site, they're out of Ontario and are a first class act.

[dahonkerkonker]

+1 for alberta. You need to register for a WIN number which will last 5 years with the card you can buy your liscence and stamps. You will need a passport and you will need to register your guns, it should go pretty smoothly.

[TopFlightWaterfowling]

Other than the passort I think you fill out and sign a firearms declaration act form to reg your shotgun and I think they tax you on a certain amount of ammunition you bring per box. Best bet is to talk to someone who's been up there before.

[Drake691]

Nah don't come to Ontario the hunting here sucks :wink: I would try Quebec.No one really talks about Quebec, buts it's awsome to go there........for a side thing. if you want History Quebec City is where it's at. If you want women Montreal is where it's at. Just saying

[SUPREME]

If you are looking for a outfitter Black Duck Outfitters in Manitoba.Was up there for a month last year Scott runs a good camp.Cant wait till this year.

[duckhunter101]

try t find jeff up there he will take you to the birds

[spaightlabs]

That's a great idea. Canada is pretty small, should be able to find him pretty easy... :roll:

[WhackEmAndStackEm17]

The big thing you gotta keep in mind is that when you say "Canada" you are referring to almost 10,000,000 square kilometres.

If you're looking for an outfitter type deal, you can go pretty much anywhere. Grey-Bruce and St. Lawrence Outfitters are probably the two best outfits in Ontario. I live in Ontario and I have a hard enough time getting permission, so I don't think you'd wanna free-lance here. Your best option for free-lancing would be to hit the prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba).

[grinder]

it's all on what you want to shoot.

Canadas (giants and cacks), specks, snows, blues, pintails, mallards, divers are all in the Alberta Sask area, and I mean a tonne of birds.

Great Canada (giant and mini migrators) puddle of diving duck hunts are in Ontario, as well as The east I believe (never hunted there) and you can get into the snows really well in the fall and spring in Quebec.


It's good to get a good grasp of the area before you come. Pretty much any province in the month of October is great (especially the west) and if you do hit alberta, you'll have to apply for the win that was already stated. Good luck on what you decide. Make sure to bring your camera, you'll see some flights that blow your mind.

[jaysweet]

We freelance in Saskatchewan in mid September. Go to a county Government office and ask for a landowner grid map and start scouting. Once you find birds refrence the map and give a phone call or better yet, knock on their door. We always bring some goose sausage or some hats as gifts even if we get turned down. Most of the grain farmers are more than happy to have hunters get the birds out of their win rows.

[Remington870]

St. Lawrence Outfitters is the best waterfowl store I've ever been to. Big stores like Bass Pro or Cabelas can't touch the friendliness and often the calling ability of there staff. I'm about 40 minutes from them and those guys are awesome. I've never had the pleasure of hunting with them though. We don't have the same numbers as the praries but getting your limit is never a problem.

[cole keenan]

No ducks in PEI actually.

[HUNT24/7]

None in N.B either :D