Conestoga pheasant program cancelled

From the GRCA website (https://www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor...Hunting.aspx):

"Pheasant: The the 2021 pheasant hunting program at Conestogo Lake Conservation Area is cancelled. The decision not to renew the contract to purchase pheasants is part of an overall operational review of our programs, based on recent changes to the Conservation Authorities Act and to ensure these programs align with our strategic priorities. This suspension impacts our pheasant hunting program only; our other hunting programs are not affected."

Well, that is some major BS.

That sucks, but not surprised. Seems the way things are going these days. The pheasant release program’s in Ontario are sadly being phased out.

That was a really nice place to hunt and run a dog. There were lots of permits sold, in fact, I am pretty sure they sold out. I’m not buying the claim it doesn’t align with their strategic priorities either. Encouraging outdoor recreation is on their list. I think it is easier to cater to covid hikers.

Dilly, and others, if you need to blame someone for the loss of this hunting opportunity blame Doug Ford and the PC Provincial Government. They made changes to the CA's mandate, I believe spring of 2019, it took many as a surprise. The Ford Government did change the mandate for all conservation Authorities. It is as follows, "Mandate. The core mandate of Conservation Authorities is to undertake watershed-based programs to protect people and property from flooding and other natural hazards, and to conserve natural resources for economic, social and environmental benefits." https://conservationontario.ca/conse...tal%20benefits.

A lot that the CA's did in the past had to be stopped. I am in Listowel, belong to the Middle Maitland Rejuvenation Committee, years ago we started a education program with secondary students, as the program expanded we brought the expertise from the MVCA on board. It was a full day tour of site on the river showing students problem areas and areas of restoration, then we would do a planting with the students. This was generally 2-3 classes of students per day and 4 days per year. When the new mandate was introduced the MVCA had to drop all student education a Wildlife Center closed, they stopped participating with our Student ECO Tours. The Mandate changes changed a lot, some larger CA's that can draw on monies (levies) from cities did carry on some programs; but as cities tighten their budgets do do the CA's.
If you want to learn more about even further cuts in responsibility that Ford made in Dec 2020 a quick search will give you more. But in a nutshell they took the authority of the CA's to stop projects affecting our waterways away from them, the experts. They put the decision making on environmental issues into the hand of politicians. He says that they will listen to the experts... sound familiar? A politician listening to the expects before making decisions, yavfills me with a lot of confidence.

Doug, I respect your take and it seems you are in a position to have an informed opinion in this matter, but I really don’t like to boil things down to blaming it on one guy (or the government that so often bears his name). There is another side to this argument that suggests many CA’s were overstepping their authority and resisting their provincial masters for political reasons, and they were reined in because they bit the hand that feeds too many times. As a result, they are pouting and cutting programs to hurt citizens in an “I’ll show you” move. From what I understand, the program at Conestoga funded itself and allowed for good and controlled recreational use of their property. The term “outdoor experiences” fits into their strategic priorities, and they could make it work if they wanted to. I suspect a bunch of people in a boardroom angry at the Ford government decided to start slashing to cause more people to be frustrated and vote another way the next election. Sorry, I ain’t buying it.

I really hate talking politics guys...sorry for the rant.

Well this sucks! I have a new pup coming.
My understanding is that the program was self-sufficient. I call shenanigans. As for the remaining hunting programs, I can't see a lot people willing to pay $270 to take rabbits off the property.
The employee who does the release twice a week will not be reassigned to "erosion duty" but will still have to head to the properties to care for them anyway. Shenanigans.

Really unfortunate to see another pheasant program gone. Luther Marsh was also a very nice place for pheasants and they also shut things down back in 2008, similar explanation/rationale as Conestoga. There were rumours in recent years that Luther would re-open, but it’s gone silent again and apparently a few people on the management team there weren’t on board with the idea - would love to see that place back up and running too.
Lorenzo

Luther closed because of the personal opinion of an un-elected “expert” who had too much authority.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dilly

Luther closed because of the personal opinion of an un-elected “expert” who had too much authority.

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Yeah terrible ... get the feeling Conestoga is probably the same type of scenario. That’s all it takes unfortunately.
Lorenzo

Hello Upland Hunters,

At Friends of Hullett we are doing our best to keep our release program going. If you like to pheasant hunt at The Hullett PWA this is your chance to support the future of the hunt.

The message below went out to our membership yesterday:



Hello Friends,

2021 Pheasant Challenge tickets are now available for sale here via PayPal with a 3 ticket minimum purchase. PayPal account is not required; you only need a credit card and your tickets will be mailed to you.

You can also purchase tickets via E-Transfer to [email protected] and we are set up for “Auto-Deposit” so no password is required. If you choose INTERAC E-Transfer please send us a separate email with your mailing address and phone number.

With many pheasant release programs in Southern Ontario going under in recent years (2021 Conestoga cancellation) https://www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor...n/Hunting.aspx) your financial support will ensure the Hullett hunt continues!

Direct cash donations can also be made to the release program via PayPal, E-Transfer and cheque. These donations will generate you a Charitable Income Tax receipt.

With record 2020 financial support we have been able to increase the release to 1000 pheasants from 920 for the 2021 hunt. Let’s keep this trend going to ensure a 2022 hunt!!

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I am interested to know if any, and how many people on here hunted at Conestoga Lake for pheasants. Please let me know. I am looking in to how the decision to cancel was made and if there is a way to bring it back.

I am surprised there are no Conestoga pheasant hunters on this forum.