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Upland Game Bird Hunting for Seniors
► article and photos by Duane Radford
Upland game bird hunting is certainly a doable activity for seniors, unless they have serious mobility issues. Over the past few years, I have confined my upland game bird hunting to ruffed grouse in the aspen parkland simply because of convenience.
Personally, I generally start hunting grouse after the leaves fall off aspens as it’s hard to get a clear shot otherwise. I’ll walk backcountry trails and the edge of aspen stands, searching out birds feeding on clover. A few years ago, I had my daily limit of five ruffed grouse before noon the first day when they were near the peak of their cycle.
That season I easily took my possession limit of a dozen grouse. But more importantly, I enjoyed walking in the parkland, the quiet and solitude, seeing other wildlife, stumbling onto shed moose antlers, and just getting out of the house. The physical exercise didn’t hurt either. I likely walked over 75 kilometres, which helped keep my weight down and aided my circulatory and respiratory systems. Plus, my wife and I enjoyed several tasty meals of fully organic grouse—including delicious new recipes like Alberta jambalaya, Cajun grouse, grouse with garlic and rosemary, Moroccan spiced grouse breasts, and salsa grouse.
A Range of Upland Game Birds
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to have hunted all species of Alberta’s upland game birds, including blue grouse, grey partridge, Merriam’s turkey, ptarmigan, ring-necked pheasant, ruffed grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, spruce grouse, and even sage grouse when there used to be a season for them. Upland game birds can be found throughout Alberta so there’s probably a hunting opportunity near you. Hunting Merriam’s turkeys requires a special licence and you must enter a draw for the May hunting season.
While opening dates vary, the season on all species except sage grouse (subject to a closed season) usually starts September 1 and for some species doesn’t end until January 15. Be sure to confirm the season details in your copy of the Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations or online at www.albertaregulations.ca/huntingregs/.
Senior Hunting Licence Discounts
Back in 2018, the Alberta government announced senior hunting licences discounts. A combination wildlife certificate and bird game permit is now $8.30 for seniors, compared to the former cost of $44.02, making it very affordable for them to hunt upland game birds. Keep in mind that first-time hunters must be qualified to purchase a hunting licence as per the regulations.
All hunters in Alberta require a WiN card (Wildlife Identification Number), wildlife certificate, valid game bird licence, and if you intend to hunt pheasants you’ll also need the special pheasant licence.
Taber Pheasant Festival
Newbies who want to get familiar with pheasant hunting should consider taking part in the annual Taber Pheasant Festival (October 15-22, 2022), Canada’s largest hunting festival.
If you haven’t heard of Taber Pheasant Festival, you’ll want to check out Canada’s largest hunting festival this October to celebrate its 12th anniversary. Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) President and CEO, Todd Zimmerling, says,
Festival officials also provide information on how to clean the birds as well as provide a lunch that generally includes pheasant. The rest of the week consists of the regular hunts, where 40 different locations have pheasants released on a daily basis. If you are fortunate enough to be drawn for one of these locations, you and three other hunters will get exclusive access for a morning or afternoon hunt. In addition, there’s a scotch-tasting night, a culinary event featuring pheasant, and a celebration dinner.
You’ll find seniors participating in all facets of the Festival, including both the novice and regular hunts, volunteering at the registration desk or with the dinner, or in helping to release birds. “We had a 76-year-old man who had never hunted pheasant before come out with his grandson,” Zimmerling added. “And they both shot their first pheasants. For the regular hunts, we have lots of seniors involved.”
Check out how to participate at ab-conservation.com/events/taber-pheasantfestival/about
What to Bring. What to Use.
• You don’t need special equipment to hunt upland game birds—some hiking boots, cargo-type pants, a windbreaker, and ball cap should be adequate. You’ll need a day pack to carry a lunch, snacks, water, and hopefully a few grouse.
• As for what gun to use, when I was a kid, I spent a lot of time hunting blue grouse, ruffed grouse, and spruce grouse in the Crowsnest Pass area. I hunted with a .22-calibre rifle, taking head shots so as not to waste any meat.
• These days I use a short-barrelled, lightweight 20-gauge shotgun that is easy to pack for a long day in the field. Shotguns have different types of chokes, which improve cylinder variety. I find a wide pattern with #7-½ size shot ideal for close shots at upland game birds. For pheasants, I’ll generally use #6 size shot.
• For Merriam’s Turkeys I use a 12-gauge shotgun with a full choke (tight pattern) with a special load for these large birds, the idea being to target their heads.
• Many upland game bird hunters use a lightweight .410-bore shotgun for potting grouse on the ground.
