Ruffed Grouse?

[ChooChoo404]

Anyone able to recommend some good areas for me to go and kick up some grouse this coming season in the USA NE?

Have never had any luck whatsoever with ‘guides’ so that’s my least favored option.

 

[bufffan]

Jackman Maine and surrounding area. If a grouse hunter can’t find grouse there he needs to quit. We’ll be there the week of Columbus Day.

 

[Russ16]

I’ve had luck in northern New Hampshire. There are some nice cabins in Pittsburg.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Come up here to NW Ontario. We have great numbers this year. Season opens on 15 Sept. Last year there were covies around every corner. You can check the Ontario regs online but I believe it's okay to hunt birds without a guide.

 

[ChooChoo404]

Sounds awesome. What town might you use as a base of operations?

Any idea how big a hassle taking a gun, and back, is these days?

Thank you!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Sounds awesome. What town might you use as a base of operations?

Any idea how big a hassle taking a gun, and back, is these days?

Thank you!

It is simple.
You will have your Non-Resident Firearm Declaration Form (RCMP 5589) which allows you to have a firearm in Canada.

Good luck on your hunt.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Sounds awesome. What town might you use as a base of operations?

Any idea how big a hassle taking a gun, and back, is these days?

Thank you!

Brickburn gave what you need for bringing guns. That paperwork is all you'll need to bring guns and buy ammo while you're here. If bringing a dog, you may have to look into that. I take my dogs back and forth across the border all the time but I'm US citizen and permanent resident of Canada.

Yes, you can hunt birds without being accompanied by a guide or resident. Just need to be 16 years-old, buy Conservation License, non-resident bird license, and, here's the kicker, you must file proof of completing hunters ed in some jurisdiction. Apparently that can take up to fifteen days for agency here to process after receiving. And they are particular about what proof and how it's conveyed. Google for info. Then you'll need to follow the regs. One thing to keep in mind is you need to wear sufficient hunter orange after big game season opens even if only hunting birds (it's the law but makes sense). Also no more than 3 shot capacity in shotguns (any time in the field). Rifle magazines are limited (seven?) so be aware of that if hunting with .22 ... yes, it is legal. I shoot grouse almost exclusively with .22 in the head. I hunt for meat, especially those tasty ruffs! Lead shot is not on my menu. We have abundant spruce grouse also and even the odd sharptail (called pintails here). I believe daily limit is still five. I THINK bird carcasses are again transportable to US but who knows from one day to the next what nonsense border barrier restriction will eminate from King Trump. Keep your eye on the news. I understand there's a bird flu controversy in BC over a herd of ostriches on a farm that were infected and supposed to be destroyed. After hours in hunting areas guns must be fully sheathed. In camp or motel they are supposed to be under lock and key. Trigger lock is sufficient. Locked in the car satisfies (I think). Do NOT leave a gun in the car unattended and unlocked. That is an offense ... not to mention stupid. Most of our gun regs up here are common sense. Unfortunately, we cannot hunt with handguns (which is nonsense) and you absolutely CANNOT bring a handgun or AR across the border. What constitutes an AR seems to change daily so just play it safe and avoid trying to bring semiautomatic rifles.

You will require current passport and no significant criminal record to cross the border. Bring your pot pipe if you wish. It's legal here now. Not absolutely sure but I think criminal record in US for possessing weed doesn't count any longer. Never been anything that pertained to me either here or there.

Good base of operations for grouse hunting? Thunder Bay, Kenora, or Ignace. @Grandpa Moose was formerly an outfitter north of Kenora. He might have some advice.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

It is simple.
You will have your Non-Resident Firearm Declaration Form (RCMP 5589) which allows you to have a firearm in Canada.

Good luck on your hunt.

Given my situation I've never had to deal with that paperwork crossing the border, but doesn't the form require a verifiable "reason" for bringing a gun across, i.e. letter from outfitter or valid Ontario hunting license?