Duck scouting southern ontario

[brooksy08]

Wondering if this causes an issue.

A friend and i wanted to scout for ducks before open season (sept 24, we are 94a zone). We want to have a nice full hunting season so we didn't know if we went out with all of our gear EXCLUDING guns/ammo. Set up like we were going to hunt and call them in. We want to do this for a few reasons.

1)find were the ducks are at/ which ramp we should use or buy a late season pass for
2)practice calling


We would bring out hunting licence/migratory bird stamp.

 

[Claybuster]

It's a grey area due to Ontario's definition of hunting:

“hunting” includes,

(a) lying in wait for, searching for, being on the trail of, pursuing, chasing or shooting at wildlife, whether or not the wildlife is killed, injured, captured or harassed,

The hunting definition is so broad that it would cover all scouting and even a simple walk in the woods could be considered "hunting" if taken to the extreme.

What you are planning is no different than activities undertaken by tens of thousands of bird watchers although there is an ethical debate among "birders" about the use of calls. Having the license and stamp with you might not be the best idea because it suggests you are scouting and therefore "hunting." Bring binoculars and a camera instead.

 

[brooksy08]

Thanks for the advice clay buster, that makes sense. I think that we will bring binoculars and a "bird" book.

 

[jbr87]

Please don't edjucate the birds down here before opener. No need to call just wake up early and watch where they go no need to set up a spread if you want to practice calling go to a park with a pond or a marina where you can't shoot birds and bring your calls if you must

 

[Arclight]

Last year on the goose opener we saw hundreds of ducks. 2 weeks later the ducks were scare. All the goose hunting had spooked them.

 

[the spank]

Please don't edjucate the birds down here before opener. No need to call just wake up early and watch where they go no need to set up a spread if you want to practice calling go to a park with a pond or a marina where you can't shoot birds and bring your calls if you must

Ain't it great ?!!

 

[swinginberrys]

Typical to see the early goose season mess up the ducks. Scouting is best done with binos closer to the opener....and to be honest calling to early season ducks is pissin in the wind. Ducks really don't respond well until later in the season anyway. (Least that's what I've noticed but who am I eh)

 

[sherlockbonez]

Ducks response well to calling early on fields, maybe a bit gun shy when they get back to water.

 

[jbr87]

Ain't it great ?!!

 

[brybenn]

Want good duck hunting all season hunt the island.

For good fun hunt the blue bills and ruddies on the south Shore of St Claire. They don't taste as good as mallards but they're more sporting of a target.
Avery power flags work better than calls ime

 

[Lead Loader]

that is true Bryon, just find where they are. I have found my spot, and got a few buddies on the Island.
No need to be out calling them, just take a look as most are not here yet.