ESSENTIALS LIST: EVERY IMPORTANT ITEM YOU WILL NEED TO ENTER CANADA AND ENJOY YOUR TIME WITH SASKATCHEWAN BIG BUCK ADVENTURES
Our essentials list begins with three things every hunter must-have. Then we’ll transition to individual needs and individual hunts.
Please read this entire page; this information is the most critical aspect of your stay! We want you to have an experience of a lifetime. Therefore, our suggestions come from more than 20 years of experience in the Outfitting business.
ESSENTIALS LIST: The Three Things You Must Have With No Exceptions!
1. Passport
2. CAFC 909 NON-RESIDENT FIREARMS DECLARATION
3. HAL number
PASSPORT: The First Item on Our List
Don’t even try crossing the border without a current Passport. You may get in or not, but it will be an ordeal either way. Please remember, A PASSPORT IS REQUIRED TO TRAVEL IN AND OUT OF CANADA.
No matter their age, any impaired driving charges will cause problems and delays with Customs. However, you can have this all worked out several months in advance with help from the Saskatchewan Government.
(click here for the Saskatchewan Government website).
Please take care of any potential roadblocks before you arrive at Customs. Some things may take several months to work out, so start early. Your entry into Canada is not guaranteed! It’s a low feeling when entry is not granted at Customs. This should never happen during your hunt of a lifetime, and with a bit of diligence on your part, it won’t. Unfortunately, it happens several times a year across Canada. Please do all you can not to be that person!
NON-RESIDENT FIREARMS DECLARATION FORM: A Must-Have Item
Any firearms you bring into Canada will be declared in writing to a customs officer at the point of entry into Canada using the Non-Resident Firearm Declaration Form (form RCMP 5589). A Non-Resident Firearm Declaration Continuation Sheet (form RCMP 5590) should be added if there are more than three firearms.
You should complete this declaration form before arriving at the entry point. However, you should not sign it before arriving at the entry point, as a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) customs officer must witness the signature.
A confirmed declaration costs a flat fee of $25, regardless of the number of firearms listed. It is valid only for the person who signs it and those firearms listed on the declaration.
Once the CBSA customs officer has confirmed the declaration, it acts as a license for the owner and is valid for 60 days. The declaration can be renewed for free, provided it is renewed before it expires, by contacting the relevant province or territory’s Chief Firearms Officer (call 1-800-731-4000).
HAL NUMBER: This Essentials List Item Allows You To Purchase A Saskatchewan Hunting License
Your HAL ID is a one-time, permanent, and personal number. You need this to hunt in Saskatchewan. Once you obtain a number, it will stay within the system.
NEVER CREATE A SECOND ACCOUNT WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR ANY REASON! Instead, I recommend you call for assistance with your HAL, call 1-855-848-4773 (8 a.m. to 9 p.m.), or click here for the Government web page to receive your Hal (scroll to the bottom of the page).
HOTEL: Another Essentials List Item
We recommend you plan your arrival in Saskatoon sometime on Saturday and enjoy a relaxing night in one of our recommended hotels. Your homebound flight should not be pre-booked before the following Sunday, as there may be time constraints on returning to Saskatoon on Saturday evening.
You can contact the Saskatoon International Airport at (306) 975-4755. We decided to add a Hotel to our essentials list for your benefit.
ESSENTIALS LIST For Deer Hunting: Stuff You Need to Know
Muzzleloader Hunters: It is illegal to bring gunpowder into Canada, so you must contact us with your powder requirement. We may have some at camp or buy it on Sunday in Saskatoon. Please make this arrangement before you arrive in Canada.
Regulatory Hunting Outerwear: Your jacket or vest’s outer layer must be red, orange, or white. What you wear below the waist is your option. It is legal to wear Camouflage bottoms, whether pants or bibs. Your outer head covering must be orange. Camouflage of orange or white is ILLEGAL.
Recommended Hunting Attire: You want your outer layer to be fleece or wool. Gore-Tex and many synthetic materials may become noisy when exposed to below-freezing temperatures.
Please bring quiet clothing! Be sure you have a quality pair of mittens or gloves. We have found the “Chopper” style mitten much warmer than gloves. If you can purchase them large enough to fit a thin pair of gloves inside, then all the better. Because of blowing snow and possible low-hanging branches, we recommend Ski-googles to wear when traveling back and forth to stand sites.
Essentials List Recommendations
We highly recommend bringing a warm hat. First, spend some time searching for a good hat. Then, when you think you’ve found a warm one, please put it back on the shelf and find a warmer one!
Thinking about all your warm clothes, from underwear, wool socks, and second and third layers, will help your cold-weather attack. Layering is best, with each subsequent layer being bigger and heavier than the preceding layer. Wool, down-fill, or fleece are the most popular cold-weather materials and are very warm. You do not want your clothing to fit tight, which is especially important with socks!
We cannot stress the importance of having a high-quality pair of warm boots. Kamik, Baffin, and Polar are great names for winter boots. We highly recommend boots that have a minimum warmth rating of -100F. Anything less is apt to cost you hunting time! Please consider these items as “must have” essential list items. Check our trophy whitetail hunt prices by clicking here.
Suppose you have concerns about staying warm while on the stand; there are simple and effective ways to cut the cold substantially. Heater Body Suits are gaining in popularity. There are now a few other choices that are very similar in style. If you can get a hard-to-find Canadian Cocoon, you won’t have trouble staying warm during our coldest weather. Some hunters have used sleeping bags and claim they work very well.
Essentials List Recommendations for Deer Hunters
Consider Boot Blankets and Hand muffs, Binoculars, a Small flashlight or headlamp, a lighter, or matches. You will also need an adequate supply of hand warmers, considering a minimum of 4 per day. Also, toe warmers use a minimum of 2 per day. Finally, a scent Lock suit or just the liner system is a great addition, as well as Scent eliminator spray, scent-free shampoo, and body wash.
We recommend you wash all your hunting clothing in no-scent laundry detergent. If you can keep your hunting clothing inside airtight totes or sealed plastic bags, that would be even better!
Items For Camp Life: Shoes or slippers to wear in camp; battery backup for your cell phone; cell phone charger; a backpack for miscellaneous items; and a good book are always welcome. Personal items include but are not limited to a shaving or shower kit.
ESSENTIALS LIST For Bear Hunting: Things You Need to Know
Muzzleloader Hunters: It is illegal to bring gunpowder into Canada, so you must contact us with your powder requirement. We may have some at camp or buy it on Sunday in Saskatoon. Please make this arrangement before you arrive in Canada.
Regulatory Hunting Outerwear: You can dress in camouflage only if you hunt with a bow. If you hunt with a rifle or muzzleloader, you must wear a jacket or vest in solid white, orange, or red. You also need either a solid red or orange hat.
Recommended Hunting Attire: Temperatures are usually mild during our spring bear hunts. We highly recommend bringing hunting clothing suitable for temperatures ranging from 32 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Good rain gear is an essential item to have!
You will most certainly NEED a Mosquito-proof face net or mask; if you have a Bug-Tamer suit, all the better! Small flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries.
Check our trophy black bear hunt prices by clicking here.
Recommendations for Bear Hunters
Scent eliminator spray; No scent shampoo and body wash; If you have a Scent Lock suit or liner system, please bring it along. We want you to be as scent-free as possible.
Washing your hunting clothes in a no-scent laundry detergent before you arrive at camp will be a great start to your hunt. We like to see your hunting clothes in airtight plastic tote boxes or sealed plastic bags.
We highly recommend a Thermal Cell with a minimum of 10 pads plus five extra butane cartridges.
Items For Camp Life: Shoes or slippers to wear in camp; battery backup for your cell phone; cell phone charger; a backpack for miscellaneous items; and a good book are always welcome. Personal items include but are not limited to a shaving or shower kit.
This is our list of required items and those that we recommend. Your comfort is paramount to having a great hunting experience. We will do all we can to see that your stay with us is one you will never forget. By following this essentials list for your hunt, you are doing your part to ensure success and hunting satisfaction.