“Ribeye in the Sky” – what some hunters call sandhill cranes.

CWS Considers a Sandhill Crane Hunt for Ontario: The Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) wants your input on changes to the migratory bird hunting regulations for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 seasons, to allow such a hunt. The CWS proposal is for a sandhill crane season in northern and central Ontario. This would include Manitoulin Island and areas further north such as the Hudson-James Bay Districts.

MOOSE HUNTERS

OFAH recently held an online seminar on how MNRF does aerial moose population studies which determine the number of moose tags issued. During the session experts explained how monitoring results play a key role in the tag allocation process and overall moose management. Watch it here:

https://www.ofah.org/insideaccess/

CORMORANT HUNT IS GO

For decades BPSA, OFAH and many other conservation groups have lobbied for this hunt. We pleaded to different Cabinet ministers arguing these birds have a major negative affect on fish populations.

On July 31, 2020 the MNRF announced a province wide fall season for cormorants from September 15th to December 31th. The daily bag limit is 15 birds under the authority of your small game license. Hunters are required to remove dead birds. See the MNRF’s decision notice for full details, at www.ero.ontario.ca/notice/013-4124

The OFAH welcomes the fact that the government is finally recognizing the problems caused by cormorants.

________________________________________________________________________

Wild Boar Threat
OFAH wants to see consistent messaging and action on the spread of wild boar. It is clear these beasts are a threat to Ontario’s biodiversity. They multiply quickly, spread disease, destroy crops and can be a threat to human safety through aggressive behaviour. In our
region sightings have been near Tobermory and Mount Forest.
They do very well in the wild. They are incredible animals for their ability to survive and thrive. They’re ecological bulldozers, and do a lot of damage, both to land and watercourses, as well as carrying disease.
If you see a wild boar please email your pictures to BPSA and OFAH at wildboars@ofah.org. … and contact MNRF.
__________________________________________________________________________________
OFAH has launched a major information campaign to spread the word about CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE (CWD).
The launch came at the annual federation conference, which dealt in depth with the threat of the disease spreading into our
province.
At the meeting we learned Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has the potential to kill entire
populations of deer species, and the disease is knocking at Ontario’s door. The untreatable
disease affects the nervous system of members of the cervid species family including red, mule and whitetail deer, elk, moose and caribou.
Animals infected with CWD will die within two years. It is not known if it can spread to
humans.
The threat of CWD reaching Ontario increased big time in the fall of 2018, with the disease found on a red deer farm in Quebec, almost directly across the border from the Ottawa River. So far provincial testing of over 12-thousand animals for CWD shows no cases in this province. Grey-Bruce is considered to be in a “MEDIUM-RISK” CWD zone. Southwest
Ontario is at a higher risk due to the presence of game farms.
For more information on Chronic Waste Disease go to our Ontario Federal Angular’s & Hunters page.

The OFAH and MNRF remind us to call the MNR tips line if we see a sports angler or commercial anglers breaking the rules. The tips line 1-877-847-7667 (1-877-TIPS-MNR) or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Be sure to include information on the exact location of the violation, date and time of the violation, and a description of the individuals and vehicles involved. Timely and accurate information will help conservation officers in apprehending violators and protect your natural resources.

__________________________________________________________________________

Don’t condemn role of hunters.

• Nuisance coyotes and bears are increasing almost every were in the Province.

The Rankin Resource Group (RRG) is an organization that was formed in 1999 to encourage resource stewardship of the Rankin River watershed on the Bruce Peninsula. The RRG consists of a diverse collection of organizations and interest groups who share a common concern for maintaining the natural integrity of this extensive and valued wetland complex. These volunteer representatives support environmental projects and work with government organizations and interested private land owners to make the best land use decisions possible that will protect, preserve and enhance this valuable ecosystem.

Our Mission is the preservation, protection and enhancement of the natural integrity of this extensive and valuable complex of lakes, rivers, wetlands and uplands while providing the public with reasonable access for appropriate outdoor activities. The Rankin River watershed is an 8,500 ha (21,000 acre) mosaic of upland forest, meadow, pasture, lowland forest, swamp, marsh and farmland surrounding the Rankin River and Sky, Isaac, Berford, Mud and Boat Lakes in the Town of South Bruce Peninsula.

The river and lake complex is host to warm water plants and fish populations such as perch, bass and pike. The swamps and marshland offer favourable habitat for song birds, waterfowl, herons, snakes, turtles, muskrats and beaver. The upland and coniferous forests support white-tailed deer, black bear, small game and waterfowl. The area flourishes with an array of wild flowers and shrubs, some of which are designated rare in Ontario or North America.

Visit the Rankin Resource Group website for more inform