New Hunter Help

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Bluegill

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Location
Southern Ontario
Brand new hunter here. Walked the woods with a shotgun yesterday for the first time.

Wondering if anyone on here is familiar with the Norfolk area and would mind answering some questions via PM. Just looking for some info on land access/permissions and hunting etiquette so that I don't stomp on any toes while I'm learning.

Thanks in advance.
 
Hi,

There are really very few things to know. Most if not all is common sense(not including the rules and laws you had during your hunting course).

First, hunt only on private land with owner’s permission.

Crown land/public land hunt only if hunting is allowed. There are apps you can find on this forum that will tell you all that.

Once you encounter private or public land other hunters, introduce yourself(if possible, dont ruin their hunt by making noise around them lol) and be honest that you are new and are learning to hunt. Most times people are understanding and will help you. Remember that smile goes a long way. Should you run into an a-hole, move on, there is no point to argue or stress out…plenty of land to hunt elsewhere.

If you have other questions, feel free to pm me.
 
https://lprca.on.ca/outdoor-recreation/hunting/

Start there if you're looking for public hunting property access.

I remember a decade ago I pulled up to one of the properties 2hrs before legal light on deer shotgun season opener and there were already 6 cars parked out front of it. I just drove away, that's not going to be a good hunt. They aren't huge blocks either. You'd probably do ok for archery in some of them.

If you're after small game with the shotgun, you have the full right to be there during the deer season... But just know that you're potentially going to ruin their hunt. And if you do decide to do the right thing and give them their space, the are a lot of people who would never even consider doing the same for you.

Chances are most areas already have someone hunting them. But it doesn't hurt to ask. Also ask people in your network to see if they know anyone. Southern Ontario is truely great hunting if you have property.

Feel free to send a PM, but most of the hunting I did was just north of Tillsonburg.
 
Thanks for the advice. I've already keyed into the conservation land, but was wondering what the protocol was if someone else was already on the site since many of them are pretty small. Sounds like just be respectful and treat people like you would want to be treated.

Not much interested in the shotgun season for deer at this point, mostly looking for small game. I can imagine the areas get pretty busy during shotgun, and I'll probably just be avoiding them at that time. While I would have every right to be there, fighting with once-a-year hunters is not something I can imagine giving great pleasure. Do you know if turkey season sees the same sort of pressure?

I'm hoping to get permission for some local private lands as well, just a bit of a chore tracking down owners sometimes.
 
Bluegill said:
Brand new hunter here. Walked the woods with a shotgun yesterday for the first time.

Wondering if anyone on here is familiar with the Norfolk area and would mind answering some questions via PM. Just looking for some info on land access/permissions and hunting etiquette so that I don't stomp on any toes while I'm learning.

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

There's a few good spots on the hydro cuts right off 24 South, other than that it's all mostly private in WMU 90B
 
Bluegill said:
Thanks for the advice. I've already keyed into the conservation land, but was wondering what the protocol was if someone else was already on the site since many of them are pretty small. Sounds like just be respectful and treat people like you would want to be treated.

Not much interested in the shotgun season for deer at this point, mostly looking for small game. I can imagine the areas get pretty busy during shotgun, and I'll probably just be avoiding them at that time. While I would have every right to be there, fighting with once-a-year hunters is not something I can imagine giving great pleasure. Do you know if turkey season sees the same sort of pressure?

I'm hoping to get permission for some local private lands as well, just a bit of a chore tracking down owners sometimes.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you have a great mindset.

With regard to deer, that area will be a controlled hunt zone so during shotgun deer season hunters will be limited by the requirement to draw a controlled hunt validation.

Having a few private land spots is always nice.
 
Not much other than rabbits and squirrels for small game in that part of the province. Cottontail should be plentiful. But there are very few to none for grouse/partridge. There are no pheasants except possible escapee’s. If you are looking for something to hunt in that neck of the woods at this time of year it’s 3-4 things…deer (archery) unless you have a controlled hunt permit. Rabbits, ducks, geese and predators (coyotes) calling would be best if you have limited access.
There are much better small game opportunities once you get north of HWY 7 snowshoe hare, ruffed grouse namely. My suggestion if you want to hunt and have fun are either rabbits or ducks and geese. Rabbits in public access areas can be hard hunting they learn quick and move at night. Ducks and geese are plentiful find a field they are using or a small pond and it’s game on.
Good luck access to private land will yield best results. Put on your happy face an go door knocking you’ll get more no’s than yes’s but it will be woth it if you get 1 or 2 yes’s
 
Thanks for the advice all. I got out to walk a few of the public land areas on the last couple Fridays. It's been pretty quiet and I haven't seen many other folks, but I'm sure at certain times of the year it will be busier.

Managed to connect with some pheasant yesterday. Went 1 for 3, brought home my first bird ever. Still lots to learn, but very encouraged and can't wait to get out again. Also encouraged by the amount of turkey sign I've seen and looking forward to trying that in the spring.

Hoping to plan out a trip to more northern areas for grouse next year. How far do you have to go in order to find some decent grouse hunting?
 
Bluegill said:
Thanks for the advice all. I got out to walk a few of the public land areas on the last couple Fridays. It's been pretty quiet and I haven't seen many other folks, but I'm sure at certain times of the year it will be busier.

Managed to connect with some pheasant yesterday. Went 1 for 3, brought home my first bird ever. Still lots to learn, but very encouraged and can't wait to get out again. Also encouraged by the amount of turkey sign I've seen and looking forward to trying that in the spring.

Hoping to plan out a trip to more northern areas for grouse next year. How far do you have to go in order to find some decent grouse hunting?
Click to expand...

Congratulations on the Pheasant, great eating birds. I find the birds around Parry Sound are skittish and small numbers, further North they like to look at you for a while and there are a lot more.
 
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