MANITOULIN—The deer population on Manitoulin Island continues to trend upwards after another mild winter this year which should be good news for the thousands of hunters who are expected to converge on the Island for next week’s annual deer gun hunt.
“Indications from the spring show that deer numbers have been trending upwards after another mild winter,” said Denis Gendron, management biologist with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) Sudbury District. “We are anticipating the deer herd to be in good condition considering the warm fall we’ve had to date.”
“After successive mild winters, antlerless validation tags were increased for the 2023 hunt and have not changed for 2024,” said Mr. Gendron. “Wildlife Management Unit 43A remains at 400 antlerless tags, while WMU 43B remains at 5,500 antlerless tags.”
In terms of hunter safety, MNRF is advising hunters again this year, “that they must handle firearms with care and attention at all times,” said Iain McGale, S/Sergeant with the MNRF. “Hunters should never shoot unless they are absolutely sure of their target and what lies beyond it.”
All hunters must wear solid hunter orange clothing (a minimum of 400 square inches or 2,580 square centimetres above the waist) and a hunter orange head cover during gun seasons for deer, moose and elk. This also applies to bear hunters who are not hunting from a tree stand, said Mr. McGale.
For regulations that hunters need to follow as well as some do’s and don’ts, Mr. McGale said, “lt’s up to hunters to know the rules and regulations.” He suggested hunters check out the 2024-2025 Hunting Regulations Summary available at ontario.ca/hunting before heading out.
Make sure you have your outdoors card, licence summary, any required tags or validation certifications for the species you are hunting and proof of firearms accreditation if you are hunting with a firearm.
Contact your local MNRF enforcement office if you have any questions pertaining to the regulations. Hunting rules vary across Canada and within the province of Ontario.
Mr. McGale suggested letting someone know where you will be hunting and when you plan on returning. Be prepared for all weather conditions while in the field, plan for and have all navigation aids with you while in the field to avoid getting lost.
In Wildlife Management Units 43A, 43B and 44 landowners written permission is required.
Staff Sergeant McGale provided some of the most common and preventable hunting violations that deal with safety include: it is illegal to shoot from, down or across a public road while hunting, no exceptions. In many parts of Ontario, it is illegal to even have a loaded firearm in any roadway right-of-way—check what rules apply in the part of the province where you are hunting.
Carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle is a violation. Generally, in Ontario you must transport your gun unloaded while it is in a vehicle, motorboat or aircraft. Vehicles include all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles.
You must unload and encase firearms in your possession during the period from half an hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise.
Night hunting is illegal. In Ontario you can generally only hunt from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. It is a good idea to check when sunrise and sunset will be prior to heading out so you can plan accordingly.
Hunters must wear hunter orange when required.
Other preventable violations include illegal harvesting of an animal. Always ensure you are following the proper seasons for hunting based on the Ontario Hunting Regulations and ensure you are hunting only permitted species along with any age, sex or type restriction on the species being hunted.
Always remember, when you are hunting you cannot carry another person’s tag.
The MNR explained that you must also have on your person any applicable validation certificate and tags. If hunting with a gun, you must also carry proof of having the credentials to hunt with a gun.
Failing to properly tag a harvested animal, for example, not notching the tag or not attaching the tag properly when it is required to be attached is a violation. Each tag has detailed instructions on its use. Follow the instructions.
Trespassing is another area of concern for the MNR. Generally, you must have permission to hunt on privately owned lands. If you have wounded an animal and it runs onto private property, you usually must secure permission prior to following the animal on to the private property.
You cannot hunt where you are not allowed to. One example of trespassing is when your tag is valid in one wildlife management unity, but you hunt in another WMU; this is illegal.
If you witness a hunting violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNRF (847-7667) or call Crimestoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
