Turkey hunting season - trail users beware

Simcoe County, April 26, 2006 - When going out on trails, into the forests, or be physically active in the outdoors, trail users should be aware that the turkey hunting season has started, and hunting is taking place in many areas of Simcoe County.

Wildlife management within the Province of Ontario is the responsibility of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), and we defer to them for the most accurate information on hunting regulations.

However, the information on hunting seasons is difficult to find, and to the best of our knowledge, we have determined the following hunting seasons:

April 25 - May 31: turkey

Sept 25 - Dec 15: gamebirds (grouse), waterfowl, and small game (rabbits)

Oct 1 - Dec 15: deer (archery)

First week of November (starting on the Monday for 5 days) : deer (shotgun)

First week of December (starting on the Monday for 5 days): deer (shotgun)

Trail users should know that in the forest tracts owned by the County of Simcoe, hunting is permitted except on the following tracts due to close proximity to urban areas:

_ Dyer (City of Barrie)

_ Rippon (Village of Angus; Essa Twp)

_ Blauxham, (Innisfil Twp)

_ Museum, Midhurst (Springwater Twp)

_ Thompson (Penetanguishene)

_ Tottenham (New Tecumseth)

In or near all other forests, trail users are urged to take some common sense precautions, such as:

- Wear orange or other bright colours. Do not wear white, green, gray, brown, black or tan.

- Never walk alone, but if you do, let someone know where you are going, and when to expect you back.

- Do not wander off marked trails. Hunters are usually aware of the location of marked trails.

- When walking with a dog, protect them with bright collars, possibly with a bell. During hunting season keep them on a leash.

- If you see a hunter, alert the hunter of your presence.

- Be aware that hunting may also be allowed by the landowner on private land.

- Be aware of hunting times and seasons. Contact your local Ministry of Natural resources, or the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters for this information. Go to w w w. s i m c o e c o u n t y trails.net