Small game hunting - suggestion on public land in Ontario?

abalas

abalas

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Hello,
So far I've been indoor shooting sort of guy but this fall/winter I really want to get out in the filed and try some hunting small game (coyote/rabbit/squirrel etc). I am having trouble finding some public land where I could do these things in Ontario. I am properly licensed and I have enough gun time at the range but I just don't really know where to go. Could anyone recommend some crown land areas?
Thanks so much.
 
Question #1: Where do you live?
Question #2: What WMU is that in?
Question #3: Have you contacted the OMNR about hunting in the WMA in your WMU?

Try the Aylmer or Calton Marsh WMA for squirrels. I stopped off this morning at Calton Marsh to check on the blinds and there were a bunch of squirrels along the main trails. I also was at the Fingal WMA today and only saw 3.
 
Yes, indicating my location would be a good idea. Anywhere within 3 hour drive of Toronto.
I am thinking Huntsville area or Grey Bruce counties on the western side of Southern Ontario. I think the closer to Toronto the public forests are, the more crowded they become. I just don't know any locations around here where you can just walk in and do some hunting.

Thanks so much.
 
Check out the Simcoe County Forests.. they are within the 1 hour of toronto, and allow hunting (but you have to be a member of the OFAH).. just find some tracts which are large and low volume..)
 
Huntsville area might be tricky. Was brought up on another board when a person ask about public land in the area. Very,very tuff to find and if you do there already alot of people on it. Grey Bruce might be your best bet. Try getting intouch with Lake Huron Rod and Gun. They might be able to help you in your search out that way.

Also the Simcoe forest are good but yes you have be a member of the OFAH
(insurance issue I think) to hunt in them.
 
abalas said:
Yes, indicating my location would be a good idea. Anywhere within 3 hour drive of Toronto.
I am thinking Huntsville area or Grey Bruce counties on the western side of Southern Ontario. I think the closer to Toronto the public forests are, the more crowded they become. I just don't know any locations around here where you can just walk in and do some hunting.

Thanks so much.
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That was one thing I hated about living in S Ontario. No place to hunt. What few places were available were over-run with hunters.
 
kevguy said:
That was one thing I hated about living in S Ontario. No place to hunt. What few places were available were over-run with hunters.
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Thats the problem with public land. What is stopping you from asking a few landowners for permission? If you show up at their door and are polite and dressed like a reasonable human being most people with say yes.

Never understood the people who say property to hunt on is hard to find.
 
Turkeyslayer 1300 said:
Thats the problem with public land. What is stopping you from asking a few landowners for permission? If you show up at their door and are polite and dressed like a reasonable human being most people with say yes.

Never understood the people who say property to hunt on is hard to find.
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I think the over-hunter problems exists here as well. I am lucky enough to have access to 600 acres with my hunting camp, but also have access to several parcels of land around my home. There are other parcels I would like to hunt around here as well, but the owner already has said yes to "x" number of hunters and that's all they are comfortable with having on their land. (totally understandable)

At the same time, I know of a couple land owners who have said no to others cause they know I am already hunting on their land. Ofcourse though, it never hurts to ask.
 
if you wanna hunt coyote, just look up some farmers that have livestock. they will practically beg you to come shoot some yotes on their land.
 
kevguy said:
That was one thing I hated about living in S Ontario. No place to hunt. What few places were available were over-run with hunters.
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This statement is completely false. There is all kinds of hunting spots available in Southern Ontario. However, it is all privately owned land. I have permission right now to hunt on five different farms for everything from turkeys to deer. You just have to get off your lazy a$$ and get out and ask permission.I can go hunting all day any day of the week without seeing another hunter.
 
Yes, sounds like asking farmers for permission might be the best bet. Nice bottle of cognag and an offer to help around the farm is the way to go. Gosh I wish I owned some land myself....
 
if your willing to go about 20 minutes out of huntsville, go rainlake road in kearney theres squirrels, grouse, pheasent all that good stuff
 
hermiston said:
if your willing to go about 20 minutes out of huntsville, go rainlake road in kearney theres squirrels, grouse, pheasent all that good stuff
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Thanks! Is that crown land? I did some searching on MNR interactive maps and it looks like most land in a huge radius around huntsville is private land.
 
abalas said:
Thanks! Is that crown land? I did some searching on MNR interactive maps and it looks like most land in a huge radius around huntsville is private land.
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That part is in Algonquin park.. and quite close to a major launch point for canoers..

It's also further then 20 mins from Huntsville ;)
 
I live in West Grey, County and can't find any private land.
Most have ppl hunting on it or not allowed at all.
Still looking for some, my wife went and got everything to hunt as well and it may be a waste of time and money.
 
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