Hunting varmint/deer/bear near Toronto

[Rudi]

Dear Gentlemen,

I'm overcoming the difficulties with my first rifle and soon I will be ready to use it for its intended purpose. But where??? Unfortunatelly I don't really know Ontario, and I'm a really newbie hunter.

1. varmints:
I've read that farmers are really happy if someone kills the little ugly varmints on their lands to save the cattle. So are there any farmers around Toronto I could help in this matter?? If you happen to know the contact number/location please sent me a PM. (I've bought a small 22lr for my wife, killing a few groundhogs would be a great preparation for the later hunting.)

2. deer
I have a few days to sign in for the antlerless deer draw. Which WMU would you suggest around here? (Crown land with some easy terrain would be the best, as my 3 year old daughter will come with us) Taking a game home is just of secondary importance.

3. bear
Similar to the previous one, but I'm willing to travel longer distance for this one and taking the bear home has a little bit more importance.

Thanks for helping the newbie!

 

[sunray]

1. Real farmers might give you permission, but a lot of them have had bad experiences with slobs from TO and won't let you on their land. It doesn't hurt to ask though. Just don't drive up to a farm with a firearm expecting to be welcomed with open arms. Go for a drive on a Saturday, north of Hwy 9, and ask politely if you can come back to hunt ground hogs. If the guy says no, thank him and move on. You could ask if he knows of anybody who might let you hunt on their land, but be polite. Your best bet is to join a shooting club. Eventually, you'll be invited to hunt with one or more of the members.
Also, a lot of farms have been turned into 'county estates' by people moving out of TO. Most of them are afraid of firearms and hunters in general and have posted their land.
2. Leave the kid at home. A 3 year old is too young to be hunting with her da. A 3 year old's attention span is short and the kid will get bored easily. Then look at Tiny Marsh near Barrie. I think they still allow deer hunting there. Otherwise you need the landowner's permission. Crown Land is used by hikers and picnickers and hunting isn't allowed on all of it. Especially close to TO.
3. Look around Haliburton. Mind you, there's lots of posted land up that way too.
Call the MNR to find out where you can go.

 

[Rudi]

Thanks Sunray!

I'm already a member of 2 clubs.
One indoor, it's always empty. Shooting is good there, but socializing is not.
The other is an outdoor club I joined recently, I will see the people there.

Thanks again

Rudi

 

[deertaker]

For ground hogs you will have to atleast go up past hiway 9 and try to the east of the 400. Like Sunray said just go out and start asking, the farther away from the city the better your chances are. Don't take it personally if they say no, just move onto the next one.

 

[sunray]

"...socializing is not..." Geezuz, that's unusual. Which clubs? If you don't mind me asking. When I lived in TO, 20 years ago now, the club I was with, regularly had a beer or two after our weekly bullseye practice shoot.
Is there a shooting team at either club? If so, find out when they practice and go then. Bullseye shooting is very good for one's mental health. Shooters do tend to be reticent with new guys, but they also tend to go out of their way to help a new guy too. Up to and including letting you shoot their firearms.
Go to any and all club matches or functions you can(having a kid tends to curtail your recreation time) and volunteer to help in any way you can. Gets you known. If nobody knows you....