ILS wrote:I do not post here much, but thought you could answer this for me. I went to Canada last year for three days and had a great hunt. Our guide was strict on possession limits, so once we had it on ducks or geese, we could not shoot anymore.
Well, that's the law. And it'll cost the outfitter his license and he'll be charged with game violations if he allowed his clients to break the laws. Do you need someone tell you when it's time to quit shooting? If so, then that shows a blatent lack of respect for and consideration of the privilege you've been extended.....i.e. the opportunity to hunt in Canada as a non-resident.
I have heard some guides give them to local Indian tribes or allow you to ship back your birds.
Check the regulations......both issues are spelled-out clearly. 'Gifting' is not illegal if game is properly tagged, however this practice is highly frowned-upon by Canadian resident hunters and it is prudent to be sensative to their position on issues like this, because we are, in fact, their 'guests' in a foreign country. You don't want anyone to resent your presence there.......it has lead to the most recent proposals in changes in the regulations as they pertain to non-resident hunters (freelancers, in particular).
Go ahead and try shipping birds home.......then bringing more across the border at Customs. Everything is documented.....everything is accounted for........and nothing crosses the border without either......until the person who's name appears on the documentation is present to get 'cuffed'.
Do not see the need for a 5 day hunt if all guides are strict on possesion limits as you can fill them in 2-3.
What do you think?
Well there's 2 issues going, in that statement......
1)It's not always so cut and dry......OH, it is, if the outfitter is trying to make a strong 'sell' before he gets your money. But, it takes a lot of work on their part to line-up everything where you can go-out and kill your possession limit in 2-3 days. I guess it would depend on what you're after. Ducks not a problem. Geese are different........depends on timing of the migration, access, and competition. Upland depends on weather, and hatch. Some guides located in drought-stricken areas will not be as successful as those in areas with plenty of water. Then if you have plenty of water (or too much), there could be problems with accessing fields that are too wet. It's just not that simple.
2) You're suggesting that if you could find a guide that wasn't so strict on possession limits.......and would allow you to shoot until your arm fell off.....you'd do it. I withold comment
......... 'cause that's your business, and if I said anything, I doubt it would make a favorable impression. I will add that I have not personally seen or have reason to believe that licensed outfitters practice mass-gifting for their clients.....but it makes you wonder when they are hammering the birds everyday for 5 days straight. 'Rogue' guides, maybe.......but licenses can be revoked for minor infractions and most outfitters won't risk their license to satisfy one 'client's greed........there's plenty of folks that can take the clients' place next year, if they prove to be obnoxious. I HAVE seen one client 'refused' by a guide. He hunts with someone else, now.
Yes, talking about possession limit and I don't see the reason for a five day hunt.
Due to the disregard for local customs, and residents' concerns, there is a proposal to limit non-res hunters to one 6-day permit for the year. If you want to hunt at a 'frantic' pace, run over everybody who stands in your way to get what you went up there for, and fill your cooler fulla proof that you're the 'real deal' in 2-3 days......have at it. You're not likely to get 60 snows (legally) in 3 days. Maybe in 3 hunts, but you have to have a bunch of geese in the area at that time....and they get smart, quick.
But personally, it's not all about filling your 'quota'. There's different perspectives on what folks get out of it and how they define 'the Canadian experience'. Mine's obviously different than yours.....and that's alright.
Not interested in ending up in Canadian court either.
'Better know your regs, then.........your statement below shows you don't know what the possession limit for specklebellies and pintails is......(in SK, for instance)........or maybe that you're not a stickler for 'accuracy' when you make such a statement.
ILS wrote:The possession limits for ducks is sixteen and canadians & specks is sixteen as well. Snows is much higher at 60.
The regulations allow for a possession limit of 16
dark geese,
no more than 5 specklebellies per day (of your 8- dark goose daily limit). Same thing with ducks.......8 ducks per day,
of which no more than 3 can be pintails.
Then there's the regulation that only allows afternoon hunting of dark geese after October 15th (in SK). So if you're trying to help someone by giving them information......they'll only benefit from it if it's accurate.
So the best advice I can give to folks interested in hunting in Canada.......don't rely on heresay..........know the laws, regulations and local customs, and remember that you have been extended 'privilege' of hunting as a guest of the Canadian people.......be respectful and courteous, and never take that privilege for granted, lest you give the rest of us who appreciate the opportunity to hunt up there, a bad name. Greed hasn't ruined it up there, yet.......but it might not be long unless folks become more informed about critical issues that may impact future hunting opoortunities for non-res hunters (freelancers).
Oh yeah.......welcome to MSDucks
.....and Yes, I'm having a bad day.
'Hope I answered your question.
