Anybody ever been to Canada?

[msu_hunter]

So me and a few of my buddy's have been tossing around the idea of heading up there to Grouse hunt, more specifically in Ontario around Thunder Bay. Anybody ever been up that way and how did it go? Talking more about crossing the border both ways and taking guns and such. Also when is the best time to go? We are thinking maybe the first week in October. Hopefully the leaves will be coming down by then. Might be my only chance to get my pup on more than 8-10 birds next year. lol

 

[birdshooter]

Went up in 92 had a bad experience at the border and would never go back again. I don't know what the limits are now but back then you could only bring 4 birds back across the border. They have a lot of birds but for me its not worth the hassle. I would rather send my money in Maine, Wis, or Minn where they appreciate you and have good numbers of birds to hunt.

 

[trust me]

Never been myself, but I've heard lots of horror stories about getting guns across the border. They'll check every serial number and that will take a while.

I agree with birdshooter, just take your tourist dollars to Wisc or Minn and be treated like family.

 

[Bee]

can be spectacular hunting. done several trips. good preparation on customs forms makes it a breeze IMO. when you hit the right peak it is so good it is silly. many birds will fly to trees but most react to pointing dogs like great lakes birds. none are as wiley as appalachian birds. pressure from US hunters has increased very dramatically in some areas in last twenty years of manitoba, ontario, quebec. few canadian hunters seem to bother with them.

 

[msu_hunter]

I actually suggested that we go to one of the lake states but one of our party is an older gentleman and this will probably be his last Grouse hunting trip. He can't get around in the mountains anymore and say's if we go then lets go to Canada just so we can say we did. We'll probably end up up there for his sake, maybe after next year we can try staying inside the US. I'm trying to do as much research as possible about the forms and such. You wouldn't have any recommendations for information resources would you Bee?

 

[Bee]

pm to you-----

 

[trapshooter]

birdshooter just looks guilty, i,ve seen him.

 

[jarrodcombs]

I have heard there birds don't get pressure, therefore they dont tend to fly. I think they hunt with 22 rifles quite a bit. Let us know if you go. I'm sure a bunch of us will be interested

 

[Bee]

some do fly up in trees, but if area in canada has a fox, yote or other ground predator population the birds will react to a dog just like local birds….ie, flush. some wilderness birds do hop up in trees, especially if you are in a vehicle road hunting…just like the ones in appalachia used to do before many of those grouse near roads or trails down here got four wheelered. in northern bush the spruce grouse species is particularly naive, but ruffs can be pretty sporty. some of the ruffs are red or brown phase and not the less wary gray phase . needs to be stressed that the further you drive the more remote you get and hopefully the better bthe populations if you find the right aspen conifer mix of covers. more remote equals less lodging and gas issues. planning is everything

 

[msu_hunter]

I'm pretty sure that were gonna end up going and i'll update everyone when we head out. I was worried about the birds possibly not being good flying, surely a man can make a Ruffed Grouse flush? lol I kinda figured it was as sporting as you made it, hopefully we'll get a few contacts for my pup.

 

[Bee]

probably should have said this earlier….some of the birds really are naive and do fly up in trees. not sure this is a good thing for a young dog. in the past we have not taken young dogs due to the naivety of some of the birds.

Also VERY Important-Canada will not permit entry to non resident aliens (uS Citizens) who have any outstanding criminal warrants or if you have criminal record (to include nonpayment of child support I am told)….be bAD TO GET TO BORDER AND FIND YOU COULDNT GET IN….better check this out thoroughly if you have any arrest record or any warrants etc…just an FYI

 

[trust me]

I'm pretty sure that were gonna end up going and i'll update everyone when we head out. I was worried about the birds possibly not being good flying, surely a man can make a Ruffed Grouse flush? lol I kinda figured it was as sporting as you made it, hopefully we'll get a few contacts for my pup.

Depends on what part of Canada you're in. They get dumber as you go further north. A ruffed grouse hat trick up there is to kill three birds, one by throwing a rock, one by whacking with a stick, and one by catching and wringing its neck.

 

[Bee]

T M, them warrants would be problem anyway so maybe no Hat Trick for you and Dunn??? :>)

 

[msu_hunter]

Well no record for me but i'll let the guys know that are going. Thanks for the info. it would really suck to get to the border and one of us not be able to cross. Were just going a little above MN so hopefully the birds are not that dumb? It would be bad to have to run a check cord on a dog Grouse hunting! lol I may take a net and bring some back here for stock if there that dumb! haha

 

[trust me]

T M, them warrants would be problem anyway so maybe no Hat Trick for you and Dunn??? :>)

Yes, there's always those pesky indictments to deal with. I guess I should have stayed in the Witness Protection Program.