Real Hunters Best Way to Get Started

[Donner1]

I live a few hours to the south and west in Washington state. Me and a buddy would like to do some waterfowl hunting in Alberta, but we are real hunters, not the pay $2400 for 3 days of pampered, catered, lodge hunting. We have our own gear, do our own hunting, and make our own way, always polite and responsible. We are doing the research on regulations, guns, licenses, and that sort of thing. What we can't do is scouting and getting land owner permission.

So two questions: Does anyone have tips or suggestions on making in-roads up there, getting permission, finding someone to scout for us, not being rude, etc?

And what are your thoughts on how crowded it is for waterfowl hunting? Are there lots of hunters competing over the same areas, or is there still plenty of space to go around? Will we find a lot of other waterfowlers angry that their south-of-the-border brothers are making things even harder or is there plenty to go around?

Your thoughts are appreciated.

[ishootbambi]

im not sure if you are even allowed to do that here in alberta, or saskatchewn for that matter either. but if you are, saskatchewan has waterfowl hunting at least 5 times better than albertas. they are in the heart of the flyway while alberta is on the fringe. the area near the south saskatchewan river from kindersley to swift current is about as good as it gets, and landowners there are very easy to get along with when it comes to bird hunters. if you check out regulations and it can be done, pm me and i can give you more specific details including some names and x's on a map.

[ganderblaster]

x2 on Saskatchewan.Especially if you are after ducks.And in Alberta the closer you get to the Sask. border the better the waterfowling is, I would say it would be worth the extra kms east

[nube]

Originally Posted by ishootbambi

im not sure if you are even allowed to do that here in alberta, or saskatchewn for that matter either. but if you are, saskatchewan has waterfowl hunting at least 5 times better than albertas. they are in the heart of the flyway while alberta is on the fringe. the area near the south saskatchewan river from kindersley to swift current is about as good as it gets, and landowners there are very easy to get along with when it comes to bird hunters. if you check out regulations and it can be done, pm me and i can give you more specific details including some names and x's on a map.

Not sure why you say it is better. I have clients that have hunted both and prefer Alberta anyday. This includes Rod Haydel , Charles Snapp and Bill Saiff who are very well known in the industry and have filmed with me many times. Infact Rod has hunted with me for at least 12 years except the last 2.

They can only hunt geese in the morning there only which can make things a little difficult as well if you like to do a good pothole shoot in the morning and that is the only hunt you can do for the day.
You are right there are more birds but i think a lot depends on what type of hunt you want to do as each province has different things to offer.
Getting limits is the norm i find for us. None of the shooting of lesser geese. All big honkers.
I would love to hit Saskatchewan one of these seasons for some good snow goose shoots though as i think that is the place to go for them. But that is a whole different ball game

[Roughneck Country]

I dont really hunt birds that much and I never have been out for them here in Alberta, but I did go once by Estavan and it was like shooting fish in a barrel. No decoys, no camo and the birds were flying so low we were taking out 2 with one shot. We were just sitting in a rock pile. Needless to say we had our limit in no time of Canadas as well as snow geese. My understanding is that that area is on a major migration path. And for those of you who are wondering why no decoys or camo, it was because we were going for upland game and decided to get in a waterfowl shoot due to the numbers. Great ring necks in that area as well!

[Hunter Trav]

Originally Posted by nube

Not sure why you say it is better. I have clients that have hunted both and prefer Alberta anyday. This includes Rod Haydel , Charles Snapp and Bill Saiff who are very well known in the industry and have filmed with me many times. Infact Rod has hunted with me for at least 12 years except the last 2.

They can only hunt geese in the morning there only which can make things a little difficult as well if you like to do a good pothole shoot in the morning and that is the only hunt you can do for the day.
You are right there are more birds but i think a lot depends on what type of hunt you want to do as each province has different things to offer.
Getting limits is the norm i find for us. None of the shooting of lesser geese. All big honkers.
I would love to hit Saskatchewan one of these seasons for some good snow goose shoots though as i think that is the place to go for them. But that is a whole different ball game

Damnit Phil, don't be telling them how good the waterfowl action is over here. You boys go to Saskatchewan, way better hunting over there...

[whitetail Junkie]

Originally Posted by nube

Not sure why you say it is better. I have clients that have hunted both and prefer Alberta anyday. This includes Rod Haydel , Charles Snapp and Bill Saiff who are very well known in the industry and have filmed with me many times. Infact Rod has hunted with me for at least 12 years except the last 2.

They can only hunt geese in the morning there only which can make things a little difficult as well if you like to do a good pothole shoot in the morning and that is the only hunt you can do for the day.
You are right there are more birds but i think a lot depends on what type of hunt you want to do as each province has different things to offer.
Getting limits is the norm i find for us. None of the shooting of lesser geese. All big honkers.
I would love to hit Saskatchewan one of these seasons for some good snow goose shoots though as i think that is the place to go for them. But that is a whole different ball game

Phil,I did'nt know That you liked Hunting WaterFowl.Either Way One of the Best Duck hunting areas that I Know of is in Western Alberta,However Unlike My Old man i've never hunted SK For Birds,So I cant say what's better.

[Redfrog]

Donner 1 you are really missing the boat if you don't go to Saskatchewan.

Tons of birds, easy access and real hunters.

In Alberta the really good spots are taken by the guides.

[nube]

Originally Posted by Redfrog

Donner 1 you are really missing the boat if you don't go to Saskatchewan.

Tons of birds, easy access and real hunters.

In Alberta the really good spots are taken by the guides.

Yes , I do agree with you Redfrog. It gets Competitive here and unless you know the areas and farmers well it can be a tough game. Plain and simple outfitters and guides have more time to pend and are watching the birds everyday and know what is going on in the areas. Tough to compete with it.

[nube]

Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie

Phil,I did'nt know That you liked Hunting WaterFowl.Either Way One of the Best Duck hunting areas that I Know of is in Western Alberta,However Unlike My Old man i've never hunted SK For Birds,So I cant say what's better.

Kill over 2000 birds a year. The first 500 or so are fun. After that it's for money as work.

[whitetail Junkie]

Originally Posted by nube

Kill over 2000 birds a year. The first 500 or so are fun. After that it's for money as work.

Holy Moly Shooot!!!