New hunter Southern Ontario tips

C

CanadianMarksman

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I'm brand new to hunting but not at all new to shooting, I've had my license for years now and figured this is the year I can finally put it to use.
After searching for hours upon hours I have finally found a piece of crown land that's close enough to a road, not blocked by private land, and close enough a drive where I can start hunting. I plan to go out and scout the area out a few times in the coming months and to finally head out with a crossbow or rifle in the Fall in hopes of getting a deer.

Being a university student and living in Toronto, I don't know anyone with experience in hunting that can teach me so I plan to go alone for one day and take it slow. I don't plan on straying very far and the plot of land is quite small itself.

I have quite a few questions, first what are the essentials to bring? I already have all of my clothing, GPS unit, good quality compass, first aid, and of course knives & clean up kit in case I actually do get lucky.
Am I missing anything?

What else should I know before going out? Of course I will be familiarising myself with the terrain by scouting in the coming weeks. I was taught how to skin a deer by my grandfather so that wouldn't be a problem.

For future trips I'd like to get a landowners permission. How do you approach a farmer to ask for permission to hunt their property? Is it considered rude to walk up to a complete strangers house and ask?

Also how do you guys meet your hunting partners? I'd love to meet someone to go with

Thank you!
 
Bring lots of water or something to drink. Being thirsty miles from your car will learn you otherwise. And no, it's actually polite to ask for permission and will put you at ease that you did the right thing.
 
Sounds like you have all the kit you need to start out. Pack some food and water, so you can have lunch out there. Try putting out a little deer bait. And then monitor the area. It's not impolite to ask land owners to hunt. Even if they say no they will appreciate it that you asked. Offer to do some work for them, or some other kind of compensation. Good luck on your deer hunt this fall. Keep us posted as to how it goes.
 
I totally agree with the 2 other members about approaching farmers. The fact that you actually had the consideration to ask really means alot to most landowners. Theirs so many that don't ask and just sneak in. I've had permission in a few spots years ago that signed off every 100 ft along the property line because of trespassing. We went and spoke to the farmer and because of asking no problem at all. And after the season it really goes a long way offering the landowners a roast or summer sausage from your deer if you got one, and if not a gift certificate for restaurant or a bottle of whiskey or wine or something like that. Sometimes they won't take it but just the offer shows that you appreciate the permission and when you ask before the next season your pretty much guaranteed you'll be able to hunt their property again.
 
Always keep in the back of your mind where you are in relation to your vehicle. GPS/ Compass/flags as mentioned above are great ways not to get lost. I got lost because I was over confident of my mental compass. Big mistake, took me 5 hours to find my way out.
 
The TP is some solid advice.Maybe a pair of dry socks in your pack,too.
Also,I always bring a couple of shotgun shells with me too,no matter what I'm actually shooting,and a piece of tinfoil.If the weather turns bad,and you need to start a fire,just cut the ends off with your knife,pour out the powder into the tinfoil,add a few twigs or a bit of straw or grass,and you have the beginnings of a fire.It sucks trying to light wet stuff with just a match or lighter when it's cold,rainy,crappy,and your clothes may be wet etc.
I started doing this after I twisted my ankle real bad one time rabbit hunting,pre-cell phone era.
 
Rctic said:
Always keep in the back of your mind where you are in relation to your vehicle. GPS/ Compass/flags as mentioned above are great ways not to get lost. I got lost because I was over confident of my mental compass. Big mistake, took me 5 hours to find my way out.
Click to expand...

I agree....It's a lot easier than people think it is to get totally turned around out in the bush.Especially on an overcast day.
 
Also be sure to figure out in advance how you will field dress the animal, butcher, package and store the meat.

You can find guys who will take a deer with the hide on for butchering but in the area it seems to be getting harder.

Edit - I shouldn't sound so discouraging. But just make sure you have enough freezer space for a deer! Hit YouTube up for some direction on butchering if you choose to do that yourself.
Once you have an animal on the ground the real work begins!
 
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A good thermos w/tea,coffee or hot coco. A warm drink on a cold day makes a world of difference.
Something to sit on that keeps you off the ground or your butt off a cold iron tree stand.Fall arrest if you are in a stand.
 
CanadianMarksman said:
I'm brand new to hunting but not at all new to shooting, I've had my license for years now and figured this is the year I can finally put it to use.
After searching for hours upon hours I have finally found a piece of crown land that's close enough to a road, not blocked by private land, and close enough a drive where I can start hunting. I plan to go out and scout the area out a few times in the coming months and to finally head out with a crossbow or rifle in the Fall in hopes of getting a deer.

Being a university student and living in Toronto, I don't know anyone with experience in hunting that can teach me so I plan to go alone for one day and take it slow. I don't plan on straying very far and the plot of land is quite small itself.

I have quite a few questions, first what are the essentials to bring? I already have all of my clothing, GPS unit, good quality compass, first aid, and of course knives & clean up kit in case I actually do get lucky.
Am I missing anything?

What else should I know before going out? Of course I will be familiarising myself with the terrain by scouting in the coming weeks. I was taught how to skin a deer by my grandfather so that wouldn't be a problem.

For future trips I'd like to get a landowners permission. How do you approach a farmer to ask for permission to hunt their property? Is it considered rude to walk up to a complete strangers house and ask?

Also how do you guys meet your hunting partners? I'd love to meet someone to go with

Thank you!
Click to expand...

You and 4000 other people from Toronto will be there opening day.
 
it all depends on how far into the bush your going and how long you plan on being in there for? personally i only walk about a field length to my stand and i usually sit for 3 or more hours. depending on how cold it is ill bring a thermos of coffee, a bottle of water, maybe a a granola bar or 2. other than that i bring my bow, binos, range finder, knife, some camo duct tape, a bit of rope, whatever calls i may want in the field, some hot hands pads. a lot of people would consider this a lot for not being far into the bush, but a happy hunter is a successful hunter and i have a backpack anyways, so not walking far it doesnt matter to me if i have 2lbs of gear or 10lbs of gear with me. also bring some cat tails or some baking soda in a little puff bottle to check wind direction. if your cold or hungry or thirsty youll be more inclined to leave early and possibly miss out on a good animal.

in reality the first step to all of this is to think agead of what your going to do when/if you get a deer. your gonna need to either find a butcher or have the right tools ahead of time to butcher it yourself. if your doing it yourself i suggest hitting cnd tire and getting a couple cheap sawhorses if you dont have some already, grab a piece of wood, something thats flat and clean to cut on. check out some videos on youtube. youll probably want a grinder, and you def get what you pay for in grinders, so if you can afford a better one then get a better one. youll need either butchers paper and plastic wrap or a vacuum sealer and a couple rolls of bags. also mark the date and what animal and cut it is.

i tend to go overboard on scent control, so the night before i go out ill run my washer just empty to rinse it out. then ill wash my hunting clothes in nothing but baking soda and water. either air dry it or dry it with no dryer sheets. when finished i pull them out and throw them in a garbage bag and put them on before i walk to my spot. i shower before i go out using unscented soap. you can get some at zehrs, you just have to look for it or ask. brush my teeth with baking soda before i leave.
 
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