Upland Birds: Southern Ontario

metcalfe

metcalfe

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Guys, I'm new to the hunting scene and got involved because my dog did really well with field training and trials.
She's a Vizsla, and our game is Pheasant and Partridge... or anything she points. I'd love a fresh rabbit for dinner.

We've been to a game farm in early September which was a lot of fun, but pretty expensive.

I'm off work at the moment, so I have lots of time, but no money to buy $20+ birds for my dog and I to hunt.

I've heard of Crown Land North-West of Peterborough, and that you're allowed to hunt some areas of Algonquin, but I'm wondering if anyone has some specific directions as to where I can go?

Directions, GPS co-ordinates and/or Google Maps links would be really appreciated!
I've seen the Crown Land online map, but remember it being a pain to read. I'll search for it again and see if it helps.

I don't mind driving up to about 3 or 4 hours from Toronto. Any more than that and Gas costs will start to get too high.

Thanks Guys.
 
Hello.

I am also new to hunting and looking for any tips on how to get started along with spots to go to start out. I would like to go grouse and/or rabbit hunting.

Thanks.
 
Guys,

Ontario is full of Crown land. The vast majority of upland hunters would never direct other hunters to their hunting areas. Get a map find some areas and go check it out. There is no excuse in a place like this province to not find areas to hunt grouse/rabbits. Good grouse hunting is an elimination process, put on the miles and find your own spots,

Patrick
 
phinton81 said:
Guys,

Ontario is full of Crown land. The vast majority of upland hunters would never direct other hunters to their hunting areas. Get a map find some areas and go check it out. There is no excuse in a place like this province to not find areas to hunt grouse/rabbits. Good grouse hunting is an elimination process, put on the miles and find your own spots,

Patrick
Click to expand...

Hey metcalfe~this ^ is the same advice I got in the last few years and while it is not the "park here/aim here" kind of reply you were kind of asking for, it's likely the best you're going to get. My "best" spot requires a 3 hour drive each way from my home near Toronto, and I've shot exactly 1 bird per outing so far. With the mid size pick-up I drive, those were each $80 birds if you look at it in gas-price-terms. I mention that for 2 reasons; 1. Hunting doesn't MAKE economic sense, and I think if you live in/near an urban center like we do...hunting=money one way or another. 2. The "best" spot I have isn't really a high-volume bird spot, but it is hard-won/hard-earned...and hunting it means allot of miles on the boots. Each of those outings damn-near ended-up in NO birds if you want to know the truth! lol (wait, this is the internet..I saw 100 birds and chose the fattest one :) )

Anyhow, even birdy spots can seem absent of birds if you're not slow/methodical when you're hunting...yet when you are, you'd be surprised where you find them. And by "surprised", I mean how far south you'll find them. Best of luck, it's worth the effort.
 
The fella in post #6 is correct, no one is going to post on the internet where there good bird spots are, because then there not good anymore.!! We understand your enthusiastic to get out there as we have all been there and still are at times. The game preserves at $20. bucks a pheasant is one of the best ways to get pheasant in Ontario. There were two good pheasant hunts in Ontario that I used to take part in. One was put on by the owner of Pine Ridge in Sunderland. He used to do three 2 day hunts on Scugog Island by Port Perry. Mike ran a well organized hunt worth the money. It did attract unfortunately several anal verge's with no bird hunting manners. Mike tried his best to educate these clowns, often with no success.

The next very good hunt is at Pelee Island. Again three 2 day hunts. This one is refered to in some circles as the Indianapolis 500 of pheasant hunting. Your licience allows you 10 birds. You have two days to take them. Alot of fun this one, but hard on dogs and hunters. I just did the a Pelee hunt last week.

But since your strapped for dollars. Your destined to hunt the plots of crown land within comfortable travelling distance from your home. Partridge were plentiful this year, as least they were up north when we were moose hunting. So that may be a option for you is to head north say to the Chapleau area, camp out and hunt the old tote roads for partridge, less expensive than the two hunts I mentioned above.

Tiny Marsh is about 1 1/2 hrs north of you just outside Elmvale. They have a micky mouse paid pheasant set up there run by a fella who has been granted permission by the MNR to rip off hunters from the Toronto area. He takes your money but you'll be dam lucky to find one of his supposidly released pheasants. So stay away from this place.

Simcoe County is full of crown plots of land all an easy drive from your location. Many other counties also have crown land plots. You will have to obtain maps and go scout them out. Keep in mind there is alot of pressure on these areas, especially on weekends, and fellas like me who own acerage abutting crown land get real cranky when you tresspass into my back yard, so know where your going and what your boundries are.
 
The guys are right, you may be asking the wrong questions here. I suspect folks would be more than happy to talk gear and guns, hunting metheods ect. They nay even be willing to talk about how to find birds and the type of habitat or cover they are hunting them in but i would be very suprised if anyone pointed you to there honey hole. If its any consolation, there are definately grouse in southren ontario. I tend to find grouse of the sides of private logging or farm field access roads close to or in cover such as pine. Quite often if you are paying attention you can see them in there beds and flush them up on que. I dont shoot many but we have a good time chasing them. Our next hope is to add a dog. If you serious, you need a dog. It is my understanding that a dog will put you on far more birds and can become a addictive part of the hunt all it own.

Having said all that, i am no expert just a dabbler and i expect someone will be along shortly to correct my foolishness.
 
I got a couple tips last week but none of them turned into anything worthwhile, so I went up to see Mike and his Chukar at Pine Ridge.
I had a great afternoon with the dog, and brought home 4 birds for dinner.

Don't remind me about Pelee island...lol
A buddy invited me out late this summer and I was really excited about the trip, but had to cancel because of the job situation.
He was out last week and bagged plenty.

I didn't expect a bunch of guys to cough up their favorite spots, but was just hoping for some tips on spots that are legal and not private property.

I appreciate the help. Looking forward to seeing these new spots.
 
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