doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Dove Hunting 101

Have been checking around and because of the necessity of shooting non toxic, it seems appropriate shotshells may be the most difficult aspect of it. My one modern non pump gun is a 16 gauge. With all the attendant issues regarding ammo availability.

But because most non toxic steel shot is aimed at waterfowl hunters, for all gauges it's mostly big loads of big shot. 1 1/4 oz of number 4 kind of thing. And to be clear, US availability is useless. I cannot import US ammo into Canada because of the onerous export laws America has. Same reason we can't get RST or Polywad up here. Too big a headache to export.

If you have a 12 ga. that is open choked, you should be able to shoot these without a problem. I would start now trying to find a dealer who will order these for you.
http://www.gamaliel.com/NobelSport/12ga_Steel_1oz_7_1300_fps.asp
JR

Wow, Canvasback, I totally overlooked that area! I see what you mean, awesome farming country. Google Earth is a wonderful thing.

Looks like your problem will be finding a concentration of birds with that much farming.
JR

Is reloading an option for you? Perhaps the 16GA.com could help. There are some non-tox loads in their loading data. Steel shot should be importable. Just a thought. Or if you have plenty of birds perhaps a visit from a friend from the south with ammo. Just kidding about the last thought.

Can you cross the border, gather up a few boxes, and then go back?

Lloyd, not if I want to ever enter the USA again.

The problem isn't Canada's import rules, it's America's export rules.

Credible reports of American border agents casing gun show and Cabela's/Bass Pro/Gander parking lots, noting Canadian plates and later, when crossing back to Canada, pulling those cars over. And getting pulled over by the agents of the country you are leaving is unusual to say the least. They mean business.

Jon, it seems like I'm going to have to get into reloading. Haven't any experience at it so far but this is just one more really good reason to do my own. It's not for saving money...it's just extra hard to find the loads we want up here. Small market equals limited selection.

Cnvsbk, can your gun/ammo dealer not buy American shells like those I suggested, for resale to you?
JR

Absolutely not, John. Without proper authorization and compliance with regulatory overload designed to stymy all but the most committed and those with the deepest pockets (Win, Rem, Federal, Kent and Rio). And as an importer myself, I know that when servicing a smaller market like this, when cost of freight and brokerage becomes a significant factor, doing special orders for product made by the parent but not part of my marketing plan, just doesn't fly.

I get it. I see so-many Border Agents driving around anymore when I'm up at my father-in-laws (5-years ago I seldom saw any). I also used to cross the border at Baudett/Rainy River to get a better selection of wines for game meals, but getting back into the US was such a PITA I just quit going. I pack a cooler with the appropriate vino, good cheese (smoked gouda, Jarlsburg, Stilton), and other exotics (basalmic vinegar, dried morels, etc.)and take it with me now. Much less hassle.

So much for the often bragged about NAFTA. When is free trade free? When it is not screwed up with regulations, tariffs, quotas and rules designed to stop it.