UK gun in Calgary - so many questions!

[pingpong]

Hello everyone, I've been reading and lurking on this forum for a few weeks but figured I would introduce myself. My Spaniel and I (oh, and the wife!) have relocated from the UK to Calgary due to work, but also for a better work life balance and to try something different....

Anyway, THE number one downside for me was leaving behind my love of shooting in the uk, what with all my regular clay comps, driven pheasant shoots, days picking up, wood pigeon decoying, duck decoying, shooting mates etc. My quick research before we moved seemed to show Calgary as a good base for quality hunting (really appreciate challenging winged game shooting) and a couple of good clay grounds within a few hours drive, but reading on here it seems pheasants are limited in number with no driven shooting available, pigeons not abundant and good duck shooting difficult to access

My Blaser is getting upset waiting in the safe for me to pull the trigger again so any advice on how to get involved this autumn / winter would be greatly received! I'm happy to get out there with a reputable outfitter based on peoples advice, looking around online fees and reputation seem to vary widely. I definitely do not want to stand around waiting to blast some birds as they walk off the back of a release truck

I've got a couple of promatic traps coming over from the UK as well so it would be great to get to meet a few like minded guns and blast some clays one day.

Cheers.

PS Can you buy Fiocchi cartridges out here?

[elkhunter11]

Wild pheasants are present not too far from Calgary, as are Hungarian partridge and sharptail grouse. Waterfowl hunting is popular in the area as well. Pigeons can be found in many areas, especially around farm yards. Prophet River Firearms sells Fiocchi ammunition.

[Puma]

Welcome to Alberta !

Sporting Clays maybe something you would like too.

[amosfella]

Canadian tire in southland used to carry Fiocchi.

[Knotter]

Welcome to the forum and welcome to Calgary. Lots of opportunity here, you just need to know where to find it.

[st99]

You might want to add grouse on your hunting list. They're delicious and plentiful on crown land (public land).

[GunnerySgtJackson]

Wow, UK to Alberta! You may never go back! Welcome to the forums!
As far as advice, I can't help with the bird hunting but have you obtained a PAL or hunter education course or checked into your particular requirements.

[Big Grey Wolf]

If you want unlimited duck and goose hunting, need to go to Loydminster or Peace River areas. Some guides get numbers in the 100's for their hunters in a typical morning shoot. Your shot gun barrel will be smoking hot to the touch.
Calgary is along way from the good hunting in Alberta.

[sharpstick]

Silver willow north of Calgary would be a great trap club to join to be able to do lots of shooting fairly close to Calgary. There are several pheasant release sites within a couple hours drive and once you meet a couple bird hunters, they will point you in the direction of the wild pheasants.
Welcome to Canada.
SS

[calgarychef]

I felt the same way when I moved to the UK. Trust me there’s far far more hunting opportunity here, you just have to get your Head around the fact that it’s different hunting. And you won’t have to pay the landowner. Oh and you can’t shoot a hundred head of deer in a season

Something else if you’re duck hunting here with a local ...we don’t do those ultra long shots. It’s considered unsporting and wounds an unacceptable number of birds.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by sharpstick

Silver willow north of Calgary would be a great trap club to join to be able to do lots of shooting fairly close to Calgary. There are several pheasant release sites within a couple hours drive and once you meet a couple bird hunters, they will point you in the direction of the wild pheasants.
Welcome to Canada.
SS

Silver Willow is a Sporting clays facility, although they do have a skeet range on site.

[James Henry]

Frank Lake south of Calgary is a good close spot for ducks, within an hour drive. Check out the pheasant release sites, some not too far from Calgary, but always best to have a 4 legged friend with you.
Cheers
JH

[tikka250]

i dont hunt the calgary area but i can say that whatever you read about ducks not being abundant was wrong. Alberta is one of THE best waterfowling destinations in north america. with a little bit of scouting you can be into some epic hunting for ducks and geese. permissions around the city may be a bit tricky but a little bit of a drive into the country will have you in prime bird hunting.

[pingpong]

Hi guys, thanks so much for the warm welcome and advice. Couple of
PMs with some excellent info are also gratefully received.

I’ve got my PAL sorted and my traps arrived today so I’m feeling much happier about the whole situation.

[pingpong]

Originally Posted by calgarychef

I felt the same way when I moved to the UK. Trust me there’s far far more hunting opportunity here, you just have to get your Head around the fact that it’s different hunting. And you won’t have to pay the landowner. Oh and you can’t shoot a hundred head of deer in a season

Something else if you’re duck hunting here with a local ...we don’t do those ultra long shots. It’s considered unsporting and wounds an unacceptable number of birds.

So you moved from the UK or to the UK mate?

[calgarychef]

We moved to the Uk for three years then came back. Hunting is different here, totally different, once you get used to it you’ll love it. And no one will judge you by how you dress or talk