Alberta Gopher Hunting...if you're an Ontarian?

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Hey guys, just took 10 minutes searching to see if this has been covered...couldn't find anything. So..here goes;

I'm an avid groundhog hunter here in Ontario with a friend who lives/hunts near Calgary, AB. I have a WIN card from fishing out there a few years back, and am now keen on visiting with some gopher hunting as the main attraction. My buddy out there has access to lots of private land owned by grateful farmers, and I've been invited to spend a few days out there hunting with him. My question is this~what license do I need to hunt them as a non-resident, and can I buy this online before going? The hunt will be for gophers only, and strictly on private land.

Thanks for taking a moment to respond. I had a look the AB hunting reg. summary, and didn't see anything that covered this. (granted, I was rushing a little :) )
 
Donny Fenn1 said:
a couple of rifles and lots of ammo and you are good to go...
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LOTS OF AMMO if you are going to be dedicated to this. We have shot more than 900 from one field so far this year. If you can get into a good field, you can shoot a thousand a day, easy. Depending on your abilities, that's at least 1000 rounds. And take the extra rifle. You may need it when the gopher horde rises up...;)

Good luck
 
Oh and one point that everyone missed here


Since your from Ontario there is a beer tax on gopher hunting in Alberta, you are required to buy your 'gopher safari guides' all the beer they require :p

thems the rules :D
 
Thanks for the replies guys! That was sort of what I was expecting to hear...as I know that's the deal for hunters who live in Alberta. I had wondered if the same rules apply to non-resident (but Canadian) hunters.

Wish I could fly with ammo., because I have lots here. Then again, I'm all too happy to buy it when I get there~do my part for Alberta's economy. :)

Tell me you'll save me some ammo AND gophers! lol
 
I might add...I'm glad there hasn't been any anti-Ontario sentiment in this thread. Thanks! lol In the interest of transparency, I spend 75% of my holiday time/$ fishing in Alberta, and I grew-up in New Brunswick.

The Ontarian in me is a little paranoid about showing-up in Alberta with a couple of rifles w/o any license in hand or full knowledge of what the regs are. I realize they're varmints, that's why I'm hoping to thin the herd, but everything is so regulated here in Ontario that I assumed you'd have to at least buy a license/tag...whatever.

Someone PM'd me, suggesting that I ship my ammo. out there. I plan on buying in Alberta, supporting the local businesses any way I can. Might have to pre-order a nice amount...I here you have a few gophers out there. :) Last weekend in SW Ontario, I hiked about 5-6kms, shot 2 groundhogs...missed a 100 yard shot on a 3rd, but he was on the move.
 
.22LRGUY said:
I might add...I'm glad there hasn't been any anti-Ontario sentiment in this thread. Thanks! lol In the interest of transparency, I spend 75% of my holiday time/$ fishing in Alberta, and I grew-up in New Brunswick.

The Ontarian in me is a little paranoid about showing-up in Alberta with a couple of rifles w/o any license in hand or full knowledge of what the regs are. I realize they're varmints, that's why I'm hoping to thin the herd, but everything is so regulated here in Ontario that I assumed you'd have to at least buy a license/tag...whatever.

Someone PM'd me, suggesting that I ship my ammo. out there. I plan on buying in Alberta, supporting the local businesses any way I can. Might have to pre-order a nice amount...I here you have a few gophers out there. :) Last weekend in SW Ontario, I hiked about 5-6kms, shot 2 groundhogs...missed a 100 yard shot on a 3rd, but he was on the move.
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You will definitely want to check ahead for availability. The Saskatoon Wholesale ran out of Federal 22lr a month ago already! Get in a good area and a case (5000 rds) won't last long.
 
Show up. Get permission. Waste em.

And have a good time! Also bring sunscreen! I went out a few weeks ago, and being the pasty SOB that I am, I got burnt. Bad. I used to bring out some bigger guns, but now I just go back to what I know; the old beater ruger 10/22. With yellowjackets it still does a number on squeaks. Here's one from today:

photo1-6.jpg
 
Looks like fun! Not to hijack or anything but since we're all here...
I'm going down to Leslieville in a couple weeks (between Rocky Mountain House and Red Deer). Anybody got an idea as to my chances on these little guys as far as population and time of year?
 
I have a friend the has made hunting gopher an art, he did use a 22 then moved up to the sks ( over 5000 rds later)
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An SKS for gophers? :rolleyes:

Thats not exactly what I call making an art out of shooting gophers. More like makng a lot of noise for not much return.

Try an accurate .22 or a centrefire bolt gun if you want to turn killing gophers into an art.

Someone PM'd me, suggesting that I ship my ammo. out there. I plan on buying in Alberta, supporting the local businesses any way I can.
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It would be way cheaper to just buy ammo here. That way you save not only the shipping but the HST as well.

Get your buddy to go buy you ammo now so to ensure you have it when you need it.
 
From my experience, bring a ton of ammo. I went to Loyd to visit my bro-in-law and brought about a thousand rounds with me, after 2 afternoons we were out of ammo and had a heck of a time finding anything that wasn't retarted expensive.
 
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