Hullett Marsh - Inquiry

Good Morning Everyone,

I recently spoke with the President of Hullet Marsh regarding the program up that way for pheasants/grouse. I was surprised to learn how big this area is and specifically caters to hunting. I'm going to make the trip up Monday (2.5 hr drive). I was told to go up first and just get to know the area, but figured if I'm going to drive I'll be prepared to hunt too. I'm going to stick with Zone B (I've read all the rules/regulations).

Just curious if theres anyone here who frequents the area/tips on how I should approach such a large area? Not looking for tips on where the birds are or the "best" spots.

TIA

Hullet is still a great place to run a dog. As far as being managed for hunting not so much. Sure they still have releases but its a mass release on a few choice days and if you hit it can be nuts after that you'll need a dog that can work the thickest stuff you can find. I get the most out of the place by getting my own release permit from the mnr. Grouse for the most part are even less likely though should be seeing a good flight of woodcock coming through. Not hard to figure out the "best spots" just look for the lots with the most cars. Me I usually hit the other side.

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

Hullet is still a great place to run a dog. As far as being managed for hunting not so much. Sure they still have releases but its a mass release on a few choice days and if you hit it can be nuts after that you'll need a dog that can work the thickest stuff you can find. I get the most out of the place by getting my own release permit from the mnr. Grouse for the most part are even less likely though should be seeing a good flight of woodcock coming through. Not hard to figure out the "best spots" just look for the lots with the most cars. Me I usually hit the other side.

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Birds are released every couple weeks at Hullett and efforts are made to spread them out as evenly as possible so no one area gets a concentration of birds. After a couple days of hunting pressure and natural pressure form raptors and coyotes, the birds tend to move into spots with overhead protection. 200 birds are released each time, so there are plenty to go around and many do last for awhile. You just need to be willing to go deep sometimes to get them. The quality of birds this year is top notch as the birds come from the same suppliers who provide birds for Pelee and Griffith Island.

My advice for you as a first timer, is to prepare to cover a large area. Pick a lot that is somwhat central and just move through cover that looks birdy. Remember this is a public area that releases birds for FREE. THis naturally attracts people and you may have to share the area with others. Just be courteous.

The release program is funded through a "Pheasant Challenge" program where you can buy draw tickets for $10. Tickets can be purchased on the Friends of Hullett website. Please consider contributing to this program plus the top draw prize is a shotgun donated by Clinton Sporting Goods. The bulk of the work is done by volunteers to benefit people who like to upland hunt. I think the idea of getting an individual release permit for oneself and only hunting birds they plant on that property, while not supporting the greater program is obscene. In fact, considering the release permit requires the written permission of the Friends of Hullett, I am surprised the MNR even grants this. As a board member there, I may have to look into this.

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Originally Posted by dilly

I think the idea of getting an individual release permit for oneself and only hunting birds they plant on that property, while not supporting the greater program is obscene. In fact, considering the release permit requires the written permission of the Friends of Hullett, I am surprised the MNR even grants this. As a board member there, I may have to look into this.

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While you are entitled to your opinion do remember Hullet is crown land, and the rules do prohibited monopolization of the area.
COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS
Commercial operations will not be located on the property. No monopolization of the
area is permitted. All persons and/or groups are expected to remove any and all
equipment they bring into the area
Also from the general rules:
[COLOR=#000000]If you use live birds for training you must obtain the appropriate permits from the OMNRF Vineland Area Office. You may need one or both of the following permits:[COLOR=#000000]1. Authorization to Conduct Field Trials and Training During closed season.
2. Authorization to Release Wildlife Imported into Ontario Propagated from Stock Imported into Ontario.
[COLOR=#000000]

[COLOR=#000000]The OMNRF office issuing these permits may be contacted at 905- 562-1177.
However no mention permission from FOH needed.
Secondly to interfere and try to disrupt someone's enjoyment of the property seems a little unfriendly to me. Shame the lengths one goes to enforce and protect their own self interest.

Stop by Clinton sporting goods and buy a couple tickets to support the release program. I do, and I don’t even hunt them, but my club is nearby and it’s a worthy cause. I agree people releasing birds for their owner self interest when there is a well run program established is pretty silly. Clinton sporting goods is a great shop btw!

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Originally Posted by diverduck

Stop by Clinton sporting goods and buy a couple tickets to support the release program. I do, and I don’t even hunt them, but my club is nearby and it’s a worthy cause. I agree people releasing birds for their owner self interest when there is a well run program established is pretty silly. Clinton sporting goods is a great shop btw!

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Guess having no birds to hunt may work for you, however I drive 2.5 hours to get there. Knowing there was no release since the week before thanksgiving weekend and no release until the first nice week day after the control hunt. It be silly not to get a free release permit pick up several pheasant and put them out the day I hunt as having pointing dogs with no birds to hunt would be pointless.
If they would go back to releasing a few birds several times a week every week then I'd consider it.

Is Pallotta not still in business? If your driving 2.5 hours to plant birds, it’d probably be easier and cheaper just to hunt Pineridge!

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Originally Posted by diverduck

Is Pallotta not still in business? If your driving 2.5 hours to plant birds, it’d probably be easier and cheaper just to hunt Pineridge!

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Run setters so property not big enough, sides released birds are released birds no matter who put 'em out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

While you are entitled to your opinion do remember Hullet is crown land, and the rules do prohibited monopolization of the area.
COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS
Commercial operations will not be located on the property. No monopolization of the
area is permitted. All persons and/or groups are expected to remove any and all
equipment they bring into the area
Also from the general rules:
[COLOR=#000000]If you use live birds for training you must obtain the appropriate permits from the OMNRF Vineland Area Office. You may need one or both of the following permits:[COLOR=#000000]1. Authorization to Conduct Field Trials and Training During closed season.
2. Authorization to Release Wildlife Imported into Ontario Propagated from Stock Imported into Ontario.
[COLOR=#000000]

[COLOR=#000000]The OMNRF office issuing these permits may be contacted at 905- 562-1177.
However no mention permission from FOH needed.
Secondly to interfere and try to disrupt someone's enjoyment of the property seems a little unfriendly to me. Shame the lengths one goes to enforce and protect their own self interest.

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What does the above have to do with what I said?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

Guess having no birds to hunt may work for you, however I drive 2.5 hours to get there. Knowing there was no release since the week before thanksgiving weekend and no release until the first nice week day after the control hunt. It be silly not to get a free release permit pick up several pheasant and put them out the day I hunt as having pointing dogs with no birds to hunt would be pointless.
If they would go back to releasing a few birds several times a week every week then I'd consider it.

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This is not true (above). You would have current info on releases if you joined the “Friends of Hullett” and contributed to the programs there.