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

#8  TURKEYS

Wild turkeys are unique to Canadian wingshooting in that they’re hunted more like big game than traditional game birds. The most popular strategy is to call them to where you’re hiding in wait, much as you would with elk or moose. And just like elk or moose, turkeys will often realize something untoward is afoot at some point, then either scurry madly away or hold up outside of gunning range. In the worst-case scenario, they’ll see or hear you before they’ve closed the distance, and when that happens, you’ll have little chance of fooling them.

Some hunters prefer to stalk toms that have been distracted by hens. That’s an even more challenging strategy than calling, but for those who prefer to take the action to the prey rather than sit and wait, it’s effective just often enough to keep them trying.

We have two subspecies of turkeys in Canada—Merriam’s and Eastern—and both are expanding their range. If your province currently doesn’t have a season, however, non-resident hunts (with restrictions) are available in B.C., Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. All in all, turkeys provide an exciting and addicting hunt, and successful hunters are justifiably proud of their accomplishment. And the icing on the cake is some of the very best wild meat you can put in the freezer.

#9  TURR

Never heard of turr? That’s because you likely know of these birds instead by their more accepted and familiar names: common murre and thick-billed murre. To those who have a long and storied history of hunting these medium-sized, tuxedo-clad seabirds, however, they’ll always be turr.

Held exclusively in Newfoundland and Labrador, the turr hunt is North America’s only legal, non-aboriginal hunt of migratory seabirds. While at times they can be hunted from shore, turr are most often pursued from boats, well out into open water.

Turr meat is dark and oily, and I’m told it has a slightly fishy aftertaste. When oven-roasted, however, it has long provided Newfoundlanders with a reliable and much-needed source of rich protein, healthy omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. Unfortunately for most of us, only residents of Newfoundland and Labrador are legally allowed to hunt turr. Along with the abundant moose, fine music and renowned kitchen parties, I guess that’s just one more great reason to consider moving to the Rock.

#10  WOODCOCK

Unlike most upland birds, woodcock flush by taking off vertically, shooting up like a rocket before zooming away parallel to the ground, dipping and diving among trees. And there are always trees wherever you find woodcock, or timberdoodles as they’re also known. In fact, it’s been said you’re not in good woodcock cover if you can walk 50 metres without losing your hat to a tree limb.

Woodcock are tweeners in that they’re hunted much as you would traditional upland game birds, but they’re migratory, just like waterfowl. In the world of ornithology, woodcock are actually considered shorebirds, despite their preferred habitat of dense brush and alder thickets. In Canada, they’re a bird of the East, found from southeastern Manitoba to the Atlantic seaboard.

I’ve hunted woodcock only once, in New Brunswick’s Miramichi River region, and it was a humbling experience. I heard, but didn’t see, the first couple of woodcock we flushed, then saw the next three, but didn’t react quickly enough to get off a shot. I finally managed to unload a Hail Mary or two at the next few birds. By the end of our first day, in fact, my hunting partner and I had 12 flushes, but only one bird to show for our efforts. Fortunately, the second day was more rewarding, as we were better prepared for their erratic flight pattern; by waiting to shoot until the birds had levelled off, we managed to drop eight or nine. Humbling as it was, I can’t wait to do it again.