Suggestions for Crown land in Ontario for turky hunting

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First time Ontario turkey hunters. We have been unsuccessful in our attempts to tag-along with an experienced turkey hunter or an outfitter or even talk to any land owners (due to being extremely lazy city slickers who haven‘t learn to plan ahead of time!). What can I say, spent so much time on getting hunting gear, and did not do enough planning with respect to where to hunt.

At this point, being out of all options, me and my body are planning to find our way to a crown land by the way of old fashion "asking around" and take our chances. I know....it is pathetic! But at this point, this is as close as we can get to those turkeys (except if we buy a couple of airplane tickets and ....;))

Originally intended to just drive to Ellwood Epps or Williams Arms on the same day and ask those helpful boys at their gun rooms for directions/suggestions for huntable crown lands in the area. But perhaps some of you folks can help us by suggesting crown lands that can be hunted for turkey within 2-3 hours driving from Toronto. Hopefully, a piece of Crown Land where we won't have to step on other hunters toe every 50 yards, being very inexperienced and clumsy! Will drive longer if a nice piece of land. Thanks
 
Try this link for locating crown land. http://crownlanduseatlas.mnr.gov.on.ca/
Please be extra careful when hunting on crown land. Anything close to a big city will be full of other hunters. Be prepared to deal with very inexperienced hunters trying to stalk your calls & decoys. If at all possible keep a large tree at your back.

George
 
Just some random bits of advice

I suggest you look at some of the articles that the OFAH have put together (in their magazine) on hunting the public forests.. there is more then just the Ontario Crown Land.

they had a good one about 2-3 years ago.

Public forests require you to do your homework.. you need to find the birds before you get out in the morning (scout the day before etc) and GET THEIR EARLY.

Expect to be interrupted by other hunters, and to disrupt a few yourself.. it's the way it is.

I've seen some hunters out scouting, who go nuts on the call and end up spooking the birds even before the season is open..

Do your homework on local bylaws (discharge), on sunday hunting, and which tracts/forests you are allowed to hunt on (and which ones not)

Check out the locations with Google Earth, and find potential spots to check, and trails to use.

I had luck both run and run and just waiting on public forests (a lot of the run and gunners will be putting birds up to you.. a lot can be very silent as well and will just appear)

There are others using the forests and you will come across dog walkers, horse riders..

Obey the property lines, and if you are unsure (as some trails will go off the forests into private land) just play it safe.. understand that a lot of adjacent property hunters do not like "US" as some hunters have been continuously trespassing on their properties.

Thats about it.. off the top of my head.
 
You really need to get out and knock on some doors. Public land hunting SUX. I tried it once for turkey hunting, and it was not fun. Sorry I can't help you with areas to go, cause I really can't suggest anywhere that would be safe. My experience anyways, for what it is worth.

And people put way to much emphasis on gear for Turkey hunting. You see these guys with gadgets hanging all over them. All you really need is a shotgun that patterns well out to 25 - 30 yards, something to sit on, a GOOD call (not some Canadian tire wiz bang gizmo) dark clothing, and patience (if you can sit still for a couple hours at a time, and there are Turkeys around, you'll likely kill one)

IMHO


Oh yeah, the reason for the rant. LOL. If you had invested that money that you spent on extraneous gear, on going out and knocking on doors, you probably would have ended up with a spot or two to hunt on. Who knows, might have been able to secure a spot to Duck, Goose and Deer Hunt as well:D
 
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