RE: Quebec Winter Caribou Hunting
 

I know that the ptarmigan are not waterfowl, but are any of you aware of any restrictions on using lead shot for them. I couldn't find anything after reading through the provincial hunting regs and the federal waterfowl regs only pertaint to waterfowl. Also it's usually standard anywhere you go, but I have my shotgun plugged to hold 2 shells in the magazine.

RE: Quebec Winter Caribou Hunting
 

Today we got our information from Kisk. In their list of needs is a block heater. We are going up November 14. I am sure it would be a necessity in December, but when we are going up would we be OK without it? Also they mention bringing 2 spare tires. It would seem that if trans-taiga was snow and ice covered, so would a majority of the road hazards. I don't recall seeing anything about 2 spares earlier in this thread. Is this something that everyone does, or is it not necessary? thanks, bob

RE: Quebec Winter Caribou Hunting
 

Bob,
I've not been up myself yet, but my relatives have been up twice. They did not use their block heaters on either trip. Both times the temps were in the single digits and less. I think more important then a block heater is a good battery!! Don't go up with a weak battery. Ask your mechanic what oil he may reccommend for you vehicle. A lighter oil may be a plus in cold weather starts. As for tires, they never had any tire issues, but did use chains on one occasion to get out of a ditch. Very important is extra gas!! They also ran into white-out conditions and gas is not available around every corner. FYI - The border only allows you to take 15 gal across from US.
We are heading to Kisk... on Nov. 22nd. I've heard the road from Mirage to Kisk... gets pretty ugly! I've been waiting to go on this trip for two years now & I've been a part of this thread for over two years. I've heard so much about this trip & the hunt, that my heart starts pumping hard when I even think about it now!!! I'm pretty much packed and ready to go!!

RE: Quebec Winter Caribou Hunting
 

I think a second spare is cheap insurance,you cant get another tire up there. And if you do find one up there it will cost you!!

RE: Quebec Winter Caribou Hunting
 

Sounds like your ready:D:D

I use lead shot . Couldn't tell you for sure if it's legal or not.

As far as block heaters, you shouldn't need one until the middle of December or later. If you have good tires on your vehicle, take one spare. If bad tires, take two. The road is all gravel. As far as spare gas goes, I always take 10 or 15 gallons. I've never used it yet, but I'd rather have it and not use it than to need it and not have it.

I sure hope the Caribou co-operate this year for everybody. But it's way too early to tell yet. We've already had several hard frosts and flurries. Now it's 70 degrees! Good luck to everybody. And you early birds report back!! But the best thing to do is watch those migration maps. They don't lie.

RE: Quebec Winter Caribou Hunting
 

I don't think "ready" is the word for it anymore!! For me, this hunt has now become an obsession!! I've been drinking caribou coffee out of a caribou coffee mug for 1 1/2 years now! I don't count sheep to fall asleep, I count caribou!! Half my gear has been setting in my gun room packed in a plastic bin/tote ready to set on the back of my truck! I've never been more "ready" for something in my life! If the caribou aren't there on Nov. 22nd and this hunt get postponed again...I'm going to need psychiatric help!!

Bob from PA - Don't forget a tow strap or a chain!! You never know when you'll need help out of a ditch or someone else may need your help!!

RE: Quebec Winter Caribou Hunting
 

No laws on lead or shotgun - requirement is firearm or bow. 22 does a good job - they hang in the trees along the road and you can get them easy - 10 per day, but don't miss the big bull while you look for the little white birds - they are somewhat addicting if you (like me) enjoy upland bird. a couple of years back we nearly missed a nice group comming off a pond cause we were trying to get a shot off at a couple in a clump of tamerack.

RE: Quebec Winter Caribou Hunting
 

By looking at where they are now it is looking good for the early hunt. No one likes the road to Kisk, but after 300 miles on the Taiga and Laforge roads the drive is not too bad. I like the area above the dam - both the trees and the fur is neat to see!

Don't forget to take pics and post them!

RE: Quebec Winter Caribou Hunting
 

Thank you everyone for the advice! Is anyone else going to Kisk for November 15 or am I the only fool who took an early date? Also on their list to bring is alcohol. If anyone is going to be there they can have a beer on me.

RE: Quebec Winter Caribou Hunting
 

I don't know where Kisk is, but I'm heading up to Mirage to start hunting on November 26th. I've been looking at the satellite tracking migration maps and it looks like the bou's are further north than they where last fall at this time. My buds cancelled out on their hunt during the first week of December last year because they were told that the bou's went by already and their chances of getting 2 each were not good. They rebooked for this fall the same week as me. I'll be checking the forum to see how all you bou hunters make out so be sure to post your results and some pics. I want to use my Tikka .270 with 150 grain PSP's. I'm told that you rarely have to make shots of more than 200 yards so I'll stick with the 150's instead of going to the 130's. Any thoughts from some of the experienced bou hunters out there?