Ghillie Suit Shop Blog RSS

Additionally wild creatures are spread over a very large area, making difficult, if not impossible, to locate them on a regular basis (walking), so hunting from airboats becomes necessary.

People accustomed to hunt  in the mountains might find this hunting way a little noisy and atypical, but it's the only way to hunt on the Everglades. Using airboats allows to cover big extensions of a very tough terrain during daylight or night; otherwise it would be impossible to locate big games fast.

Old fashioned hunters still prefer to hunt using a canoe, but this requires to be out in the glades up to a week, camping on the isles and living from what nature has to offer.

Instead, hunting from airboats is faster and easier, allowing hunters to go back home (or hotel if you are a tourist) each night.

Even when pigeons are almost everywhere, you can't shoot them on the first place you find a flock; if you do so, birds will fly away and you won't have notice of them again.

But if you shoot on the proper area, then birds will come back after the initial shooting, once and once again.

To assess the best hunting areas you need scouting before your first shoot. Try to finds feeding areas, and see how birds react to environmental stimuli such as noise. If they fly away and don't come back after something happens, then that area is not good to shoot them.

But if they fly a hundred of meters, stay still on a tree or a power line only to get back to the place they were before, then you have a gold mine. Scouting really pays.

2. Set decoys

Pigeons are numerous but not fool; so you need to attract them towards your fire line and there's no better way than decoying.

Use several shell decoys as well a few battery operated ones. Set decoys on a horseshoe patterns, mimicking the way birds feed on the the ground. That pattern will be seen hundreds of yards away by pigeons and they will get attracted to an "easy" meal.

2. Don't forget to fill an U.S. Customs Form 4457

You may find this form on your local Customs office or apply on line, on the second case you will receive a printed copy of you form by regular mail. 

On the U.S. Customs Form 4457 you must include all valuable items you are taking with you into Canada. When you re-enter U.S. that's the only proof of being the owner of such items before entering in Canada, otherwise the U.S. Customs officer could assume you bought that stuff during your trip and then fees and duties would apply to get your valuable belongings back home.

Be sure to include all your weapons, optic apparels, electronic devices, cameras, hunting gear and so on, in order to avoid charges when re-entering U.S.

1. Read instructions carefully

Each stand has its own specifications and no one is like the others; so every time you use a new stand, be sure to read instructions thoroughly; furthermore, even if you have used your tree stand before, if you don't use it frequently, read the manual before the second use, just to be sure you don't forget any detail.

Remember to keep the weight on the tree stand withing the manufacturer's limits specifications!

2. Check your gear before installing it

No matter if it's a new apparel or your old, reliable tree stand; always check that everything is in good conditions and there are not missing parts before installing it. 

Look for signs of material fatigue as well for wear; even if a little detail is wrong, avoid using the stand until the damaged part is replaced.

So, a valid hunting license of any of U.S. state is required as well any other particular document depending of your condition.

All firearms temporarily importe to the U.S. under an ATF Form 6 NIA must be removed from the territory at the end of the owner's visit. Such firearms can't be sold, rented or any form negotiated within the U.S. territory, then the owner only has permit to introduce the firearm for the declared purposes and must be committed to  take it away at the end of the visit.

It's important to be aware that not all types of firearms and calibers are eligible for a ATF Form 6 NIA. Refer to the ATF website for further information about your own firearm eligibility for an ATF Form 6 NIA.