Hunting upland game birds

THESEUS

THESEUS

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saskatchewan
Soon going on my first Upland game hunt so I'm trying to get myself squared away on all the legalities and such
Anyway I'll be using steel shot No7 12g and I'm wondering if its legal to carry slugs or larger shot for some target shooting if I fail on the birds?
Or would this appear like out of season hunting?
Also I've plugged my 870 to 2 rounds but is that mandatory for a pump?
Thanks
 
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What does it say in your Provincial hunting Regulations?
Plugged mag tube to limit shotgun is three rounds max.(Federal Regs.)
One in the chamber and two in the magazine for Migratory Game birds Canada wide on that one.
Rob
 
If you’re carrying slugs or larger shot(buckshot) the conservation officer may believe you are hunting “big game”. Check your regs
 
It will vary by provincial hunting Regs but here in B.C. we can carry any variety of ammo, all shotguns must be plugged to carry 2+1 if shooting shot. Shoot slugs and your unplugged, this is for pumps and semis. Lead is good to go for upland game but not migratory game birds, best to brush up on your prov regs. Have fun out there!
 
Legal stuff has been covered. Each province has some unique rules and it is entirely your responsibility to follow them. Fair enough. Now for the fun stuff. First upland hunt will teach you many things. Take your time, pay attention to the terrain you start finding your birds in. Range is limited so mark spot where there are birds, worth another check later once things calm down. If a bird flushes there is every likelihood another may blast off in another second or two. So be ready. I am having trouble hitting the ocean this year but that is the bird's fault, if they would just slow down and stop turning so much it would be much easier :).
 
This year I've been doing well between 11am-1pm with ruffed/blue grouse. I find they're sitting on the sides of trails around this time, actually sitting, and I think it's because their gizzards are full of (what appears to be) fresh pine needles and they're just digesting. My guess is that they snuggle at night/morning to keep cozy and come down peck gravel when it's a bit warmer. My load is federal 20 gauge copper plated #5 shot 3 inch with imp cylinder, and even at 10 yards I haven't had too many pellets through the breast. Last week I bagged 4 grouse in that 2 hour window just walking a trail, and the week before I got 3.
 
Steel 7 1/2 for upland? Use lead while we can.What species of upland are you hunting? Size matters.
 
Recognizing that non-toxic shot is required on Federal lands - there may be a reason for non-toxic shot for upland game.

There is not question that lead shot is a more effective killer.
 
If I had to use steel shot, I would be using a size larger than #7. Unless I was hunting on some specific land that requires non toxic shot, I would be using lead shot in #6 or #7-1/2. I often carry a few shells with large shot, in case I encounter a coyote.
 
First off, unless your jurisdiction requires it, don't use steel shot for upland bird hunting. (And as far as I know, the steel requirement is a federal requirement for migratory bird hunting only; at least in Alberta)

Regarding shot size, I've used 7 1/2 shot for Hungarian partridge and ruffed grouse for years: they are smallish birds, and I generally hunt over pointing dogs, so shots are generally closer.
I go up to 5's or 6's for sharptails, and I use 5's for pheasants, and perhaps 4's four for late season pheasant.
 
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Just returned from a two hour grouse walk and nothing. Same yesterday. This season has been as good as it gets. Lots of birds always in bunches. My personal best season in that no distractions and probably averaged five days/week since opening day. Hunt right out the back door. Neat to watch the whole season unfold, learned quite a bit. My shooting has been beyond bad but still lots in the freezer. My only excuse is my focus has been Lucy and she is the brightest story as she is now hunting with me, she gets it. Still bumping birds, not perfect but sometimes it is perfect, very satisfying. You sure miss a lot when you are not focused on the birds but are working the dog. There were days we were into 50-60 birds easily. Oddly only one spruce hen, the rest all ruffies.

Now to the question: It dropped about -7/8C the last few days, ugly sleet and snow, heavy winds yesterday morning, with a few clear breaks but no real heat even in the warmest part of the day. Saw a few tracks yesterday once it quit snowing but long gone. Lucy just could not pick up anything either and that means nothing was there. Today it snowed lightly through the morning, warmed up a bit and I started out while the flurry of snow snow was tapering to nothing. I expected to see some sign and walked about two miles (these are places that have had birds all season) and then did some cruising on freshly snowed trails. Not a single track. I figured once it cleaned up the birds might start moving. The ground has about two inches of snow. So where are those birds hanging out right now?
 
paintearthmike said:
First off, unless your jurisdiction requires it, don't use steel shot for upland bird hunting. (And as far as I know, the steel requirement is a federal requirement for migratory bird hunting only; at least in Alberta)

Regarding shot size, I've used 7 1/2 shot for Hungarian partridge and ruffed grouse for years: they are smallish birds, and I generally hunt over pointing dogs, so shots are generally closer.
I go up to 5's or 6's for sharptails, and I use 5's for pheasants, and perhaps 4's four for late season pheasant.
Click to expand...

There is one exception here friend.
Camp Wainwright short season on sharptail grouse.
Steel shot is a requirement.
 
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