Proposed changes to small game regs.

I am opposed to these changes. Grouping WMU's 68-95 is too broad....as was previously said...this is just about managing hunters rather than managing small game wildlife. I also bet this is the "tip of the iceberg"....next will be large game (deer, bear, etc.)....with one set of rules. I hunt in the Kawartha's where there is a very healthy ruffed grouse and snowshoe hare population....limit reductions are not necessary there.... or many other units within these proposals.....they may be appropriate in Southwestern Ontario. Below is part of my submission previously sent

A "broad approach" to managing small game in our province is not appropriate. In my opinion, the needs and issues relating
to Small Game Management in say, Essex to Middlesex Counties are far different than the Bruce Peninsula, Peterborough region or Kawartha Lakes. If you want to reduce the number of Management Wildlife Units (WMU) in Southern Ontario or group them together (say 3-5 units) for this purpose, I would support that approach. But the proposal to group units 68-95 for Small Game Management is far too broad. These limit reductions will in turn reduce hunting opportunities, negatively impact tourism and related
economic activity.

Personally I think they should do something about the limit on jacks and grouse, I haven't seen a jack in years in Waterloo or Oxford.

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Originally Posted by fieldtrip

Personally I think they should do something about the limit on jacks and grouse, I haven't seen a jack in years in Waterloo or Oxford.

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For that rationale to be valid, you would have to prove that hunters are actually holding the European Hare population in check. I doubt that very much, more likely modern farming practice and habitat loss.

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Originally Posted by fieldtrip

Personally I think they should do something about the limit on jacks and grouse, I haven't seen a jack in years in Waterloo or Oxford.

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Are you at least seeing some wild turkey taking over their habitat? I've heard that is happening quite a lot down here in SW ontario.

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Originally Posted by swampsinger

For that rationale to be valid, you would have to prove that hunters are actually holding the European Hare population in check. I doubt that very much, more likely modern farming practice and habitat loss.

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You have nailed that one squarely on the head, when fence rows are taken out to make larger fields, you then have removed a lot of habitat.
Habitat, habitat, habitat, without it we will wind up with nothing to hunt, let alone just seeing the wildlife like we used to back a number of years ago.

The MNRF does not manage game populations.Never have.limiting the tags,playing with season dates is a tool of game management,but should not be the ONLY tool.It is the least effective.Even in this,where does the info for making decisions come from.I have not been able to get numbers from the OPP regarding deer,moose,vehicle collisons.Do they even exist.The MNR doesn't have them,I Went their first.
They will allow us to hunt game as long as the game is here.But they have nothing to do with thier prescence. In their defence,how can they manage a game population without the authority over being able to manage the habitat.They have become one more political government arm.That's all.In S Dakota for example,haying is not allowed until July 15.After the nesting season.
When I raised pheasants,I needed a license to raise them,and another to kill them,yes that's right.I was only allowed to kill 3 a day.with bureacracy like that,how can we think anything they do will be right.

Snapping turtles are mentionned, which I find interesting. I actually had hopes of going out and getting a couple this upcoming summer. Hopefully I'll still be able to.

It doesn’t look good.
Changes will be made in accordance with the Proposed Management Plan for the Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) in Canada.

[5/Restrict snapping turtle harvest across Ontario in accordance with guidance provided by the draft Small Game and Furbearer Management Framework, in consideration of the biology of the species, and consistent with recommendations in the Proposed Management Plan for the Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) in Canada.]

You can read what the proposed plan is here. ( It is only 2 a day now so.....)
The proposed Management Plan for the Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) in Canada.

I checked the OFAH website....no mention of the proposed changes to small game regulations.....they too don't seem to care about the management of small game in Ontario. (but they were quick to respond to the migratory baiting proposals....big $$$$ big clubs can always grease their wheels).....sad.

Further edit: I was kindly emailed by a member, a copy of the OFAH submission....thank you. I was dead wrong...they sent a detailed submission. Their theme was they same as my submission.....the area covered is far too broad. Thanks... I stand corrected.

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Originally Posted by hollywood

I checked the OFAH website....no mention of the proposed changes to small game regulations.....they too don't seem to care about the management of small game in Ontario. (but they were quick to respond to the migratory baiting proposals....big $$$$ big clubs can always grease their wheels).....sad.

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Don't know how you missed it. They were all over it to get members to comment on the EBR. I got two e-mails from them in one week. There's even a dedicated staffer in the office looking after that file,specifically. Your comment about them is miles off base.