WHAT TO BRING - HUNTING
 
What with climate change pushing back first frost days into late October and early November during the past few years, it's getting more and more difficult to advise hunters and fishermen on what to bring with them for a comfortable hunt on Prince Edward Island.
 
Layering seems to be the answer. Unless your hunt is happening during the final few weeks of the season, you won't need heavy down parkas and padded pants to keep you warm in the blind. A medium to heavyweight camo hunting jacket of gore-tex or similar material will do nicely, with camo sweaters and tee shirts underneath in case the weather really warms up.  Weatherproof camo pants are a good idea. It can be damp in a pit blind on the sunniest of days.
 
Rain gear is essential - hooded jacket and pants to keep you dry when a heavy nor'easter blows in from the ocean, driving geese and ducks inland. These days can bring the best of hunting. Chest or hip waders are required when shooting ducks over water.
 
Bring camo gloves in a couple of weights to keep that trigger finger flexible no matter what the temperature.
 
Your boots should be waterproof, at least to the calf. Medium weight socks should suffice. If you plan on an upland shoot, throw something in blaze orange into your kit bag.
 
And then there is the matter of which shotgun(s) to bring.
 
The most favoured guns are 12 gauge autos, pumps, doubles and over and unders chambered for 3" or 3 1/2".
 
We use only steel or non-toxic shot in the field and over water, in BBB's, BB's, #1, 2 are the size for geese; and moving up to 4, 5 or 6 in duckloads.  Hevishot is the preferred ammo with fewer wounded birds and happier hunters.
 
If you are crossing the border into Canada with guns and ammo, you will be  required to register your firearms and pay a fee of $CDN25.00.You can Google Canadian Firearm Centre for full details; but you must be "18 years old to bring a firearm into Canada."
 
There is no restriction in bringing a shotgun or rifle into Canada for the purpose of hunting. You can save time by obtaining the Non-Resident Firearm Declaration Form (form CAFC 909 ); and filling it out in Advance ( except for the signature ), and bringing it with you to your Point of Entry into Canada. You can bring up to 3 frearms into Canada on the one form .
 
For full information, you can call the Canada Border Services Agency @ 1-800-461-9999; visit the website @ www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca; or email cfc-cafc@cfc-cafc.gc.ca

WHAT TO BRING - FISHING
 
It can be cool in April, May and June when our sea-run trout are moving in and out of the river estuaries. These fish can run up to 5 or 6 pounds.
 
Salmon are also on the move in spring, though salmon fishing extends to the end of October; and can be combined with a goose hunt .
 
The same sort of gear suggested for hunting will apply for early season outings in quest of salmon and sea run speckled trout; and you will need your hip or chest waders to effectively fish our streams and rivers.
 
Bring both spinning gear and a fly rod if you use both methods of fishing for trout. Mepps and Rappala are favourite trout lures in local waters, and live minnow baits are effective in spring; along with flies like the Shrimp Streamer, Dark Montreal Streamer and anything immatating a minnow are very effective.
 
Your favourite salmon flies will do nicely; or your guide may suggest something that has worked for him when casting for salmon.