Distance from land/shore

Its been a few years since I hunted ducks and recently purchased my dream boat (2372 war eagle LDBR) so I am planning on getting back into it shortly. I remember there being a limit to how far from shore you could hunt and after reading all the regulations I cannot seem to find the answer. Could anyone point me in the right direction to find this or has this rule since been removed?

As a side note, is there anything I should do to protect my engine if I hunt late season in potentially freezing temps or should that be avoided to protect the engine?

Thanks for the help

300m from emergent vegetation.

Are there Canadian dealers for the War Eagles? I have been considering the Blackhawk 961 but cant find a dealer to see them live.

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Originally Posted by mrdryk1

300m from emergent vegetation.

Are there Canadian dealers for the War Eagles? I have been considering the Blackhawk 961 but cant find a dealer to see them live.

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This is NOT the case on all bodies of water, and in fact is just inaccurate information.

In places like Long Point Bay the rule is NO FURTHER than 300m from emergent vegetation to protect rafting birds.

Figure out where you want to hunt, and check the township firearm discharge bylaws to determine any distance related rules. There is no one catch all rule, it’s different everywhere.

-N

^^ what he said. Every municipality has different discharge and distance rules. You are much better off educating yourself then taking the chance on what someone said online. Every township will have bi-law regulations some are much harder to find then others. You'll need to put some computer time and a few phone calls in to get accurate information but that time is well worth the investment. If you do your do diligence and have some paper work and your ducks in a row even if you do get checked you will be much better of by being able to provide all that information to the police or wardens. Pick which area your looking at hunting in and research that area. You will find the info you need. If you don't have that time available look at hunting area's like Rondeau Bay, Hullet or Long Point they all have public access areas where you can pay a small fee and get out!

Glad to see your getting back into it and good luck, nothing like waterfowl hunting.

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Originally Posted by Sprite

This is NOT the case on all bodies of water, and in fact is just inaccurate information.

In places like Long Point Bay the rule is NO FURTHER than 300m from emergent vegetation to protect rafting birds.

Figure out where you want to hunt, and check the township firearm discharge bylaws to determine any distance related rules. There is no one catch all rule, it’s different everywhere.

-N

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What he said ^^^

I grew up in Fort Erie hunting with my Dad on the shore of Lake Erie.
Over time, the spot we hunted went through a transition of allowable limits. First the shoreline was fine. Next you had to be off the shoreline. No distance was stated so guys were hunting from hip waders standing a few feet from shore, or in a boat tied along the shore.
Today it's you have to be 300m from shore out in the Lake. So you need about 50-80' of string on every decoy.
I haven't hunted there in years but last time I checked no one hunted there anymore.
You have to check your local regulations and township maps for this info. It is different depending on where you go.

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Originally Posted by mrdryk1

300m from emergent vegetation.

Are there Canadian dealers for the War Eagles? I have been considering the Blackhawk 961 but cant find a dealer to see them live.

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No, The boat was purchased from a dealer in Michigan and brought over.

Thanks for all the great info, I now have a direction to take so thanks for that. I will contact Chatham kent as I will be hunting rondeau and mitchells bay/lake st clair. I'm just trying to make sure I'm following all the rules and giving the other guys out there their space.

How many of you guys find these setback rules in your specific bylaws? I'm just curious how many municipalities have jurisdiction beyond the water line. For example, one Township I hunt has 100m setback from "any public place" however one spot I know is heavily hunted from the water next to a municipal park.(also checked by CO'S regularly)

I haven't encountered it, but it seems to be more common with the great lakes from what I've read on the forum.

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Originally Posted by dean.f

How many of you guys find these setback rules in your specific bylaws? I'm just curious how many municipalities have jurisdiction beyond the water line. For example, one Township I hunt has 100m setback from "any public place" however one spot I know is heavily hunted from the water next to a municipal park.(also checked by CO'S regularly)

I haven't encountered it, but it seems to be more common with the great lakes from what I've read on the forum.

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The way I see it, no township or municipality has jurisdiction on the Great Lakes or any other large body of public water -- I know where you're talking about Dean. Sure, it's in the bylaw, but good luck to them if they ever decide to lay that charge.

Not encouraging anyone, but just stating what I've seen.

-N.

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Originally Posted by klums

Thanks for all the great info, I now have a direction to take so thanks for that. I will contact Chatham kent as I will be hunting rondeau and mitchells bay/lake st clair. I'm just trying to make sure I'm following all the rules and giving the other guys out there their space.

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Rondeau has a hunting Unit, so call the Unit office.

-N.

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Originally Posted by Sprite

This is NOT the case on all bodies of water, and in fact is just inaccurate information.

In places like Long Point Bay the rule is NO FURTHER than 300m from emergent vegetation to protect rafting birds.

Figure out where you want to hunt, and check the township firearm discharge bylaws to determine any distance related rules. There is no one catch all rule, it’s different everywhere.

-N

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I apologize for not making this clear that I was referring to furthest distance. Figured it would be clear as he mentioned there being a limit to how far off shore.
Long Point and Rondeau Bay are the only bigger waters that I have hunted and assumed that, since those were both 300m from vegetation or the shore, it would be the case across the board. I stand corrected!

I found out rondeau is 300m from a shore line or reed bed, just waiting for clarification on Lake st clair.Thanks

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Originally Posted by Sprite

Rondeau has a hunting Unit, so call the Unit office.

-N.

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Originally Posted by klums

I found out rondeau is 300m from a shore line or reed bed, just waiting for clarification on Lake st clair.Thanks

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To be clear, and you should always try to be very clear here, it is WITHIN 300m of emergent vegetation, shore, or stake line. WITHIN being the key word here.

S.

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Originally Posted by Sinker

To be clear, and you should always try to be very clear here, it is WITHIN 300m of emergent vegetation, shore, or stake line. WITHIN being the key word here.

S.

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^^^

What he said. Know your regs -- these are very public places where anyone seeing you do anything against the rules will warrant a CO visit.

-N.

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Originally Posted by dean.f

How many of you guys find these setback rules in your specific bylaws? I'm just curious how many municipalities have jurisdiction beyond the water line. For example, one Township I hunt has 100m setback from "any public place" however one spot I know is heavily hunted from the water next to a municipal park.(also checked by CO'S regularly)

I haven't encountered it, but it seems to be more common with the great lakes from what I've read on the forum.

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They don’t have jurisdiction over the water, but some sure try to even though they don’t have legal standing. I know of one or two municipalities that try to regulate how far you must be from shore to hunt.

I have seen maps that showed where county or cities boundary lines are extending out into bodies of water thereby giving them jurisdiction. As stated already it is up to the hunter to make sure he/she is not breaking any rules

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Originally Posted by klums

Thanks for all the great info, I now have a direction to take so thanks for that. I will contact Chatham kent as I will be hunting rondeau and mitchells bay/lake st clair. I'm just trying to make sure I'm following all the rules and giving the other guys out there their space.

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I hunt LSC and Thames river. On LSC/Mitchells Bay area there seem to be significant posted areas out in the lake. Such as posts 500yrds or so from shore lining part of shore NE from Lighthouse Cove. Having used a guide this year, I was told these are private clubs. I font understand how that is allowed. But Im not looking to get in a fight out on the lake, I am hunting to relax…. Although a flock of blues dive bombing jy spread isnt all that relaxing! 🤣

I believe that in areas where the water bodies are controlled and flooded by dams that there can be private/municipal ownership under the water.

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Originally Posted by Glenn

I hunt LSC and Thames river. On LSC/Mitchells Bay area there seem to be significant posted areas out in the lake. Such as posts 500yrds or so from shore lining part of shore NE from Lighthouse Cove. Having used a guide this year, I was told these are private clubs. I font understand how that is allowed. But Im not looking to get in a fight out on the lake, I am hunting to relax…. Although a flock of blues dive bombing jy spread isnt all that relaxing! 🤣

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That's where I hunt as well. I'm not sure who owns all the areas, I believe Bradleys and and ducks unlimited owes a couple of the staked areas. I got my new boat out once this year and we had a blast, there were hundreds of thousands of blue bills. I bought this boat specifically to get away from the other guys that think they own the lake.

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Originally Posted by diverduck

They don’t have jurisdiction over the water, but some sure try to even though they don’t have legal standing. I know of one or two municipalities that try to regulate how far you must be from shore to hunt.

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I've always wondered about this exact scenario. Most of lake ontario's townships extend to the border on lake ontario, so if the township has a firearms discharge bylaw that says no discharge, then they could essentially write a ticket under the by law. Im sure if you took it to court, and mentioned that its federal property once you leave shore, you would have a good case, and now that we have the navigable waters act, you'd likely get off, but is it really worth all the hassle? I'm not sure. I know a bunch of places that would be awesome to try though....lol

S.