10 cool Canadian birds that belong that belong on every wingshooter’s bucket list

I learned about Canadian geography through osmosis. Growing up as the son of an air force pilot, moving across the country became second nature to me. And later, as a young wildlife professional, I took jobs wherever I could find them across the country, biding my time until a permanent position presented itself. As a result, I’ve lived in five provinces over the years, from Nova Scotia to B.C., as well as in the N.W.T. That inherent wanderlust and an eagerness to see around the next corner has also permeated my hunting career. As an avid wingshooter, I’m always up for the next destination and the next species.

As Canadians, we’re blessed to live in a country with a diversity of landscapes and habitats, which translates into an astounding array of hunting opportunities for game birds. I’ve pursued as many different species as has been practical, though there are a few that still remain a mystery to me. I suppose that’s only right—folks shouldn’t have everything they crave, no matter how hard they try. Before I hang up my shotgun, though, I hope to cross a few more off my list. Here are just some of the bird species and hunts I think are unique, interesting or just plain fun—and definitely worth pursuing…