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The Friends of Hullett (FOH) would like to challenge Hullett pheasant hunters for financial support to continue the pheasant release in 2017.
The poster above shows 9 locations where you can buy Pheasant Challenge tickets making it easier to access tickets this fall (cash sales). INTERAC email transfers to [email protected] allow you to buy from home and have your tickets mailed to your house (2 ticket minimum for mailing costs).
To release 1000 birds in 2017 we are seeking 50% support from hunters and the other 50% will come from FOH. 2017 costs will be $9000 for the pheasants ($9 per bird) and approx. $1000 for administration, fuel and wages to release as well as MNRF licence fees.
We are planning our 2017 budget and will be able to match up to $5000 of support from ticket sales and cash donations towards the pheasant program.
We will update sales on this thread so that everyone can see the support we receive.
Current Sales:
61 tickets = $610
$125 cash donations (these donations receive a charitable income tax receipt)
A big thanks for the $735 raised so far!
Current Sales:
72 tickets = $720
$200 in cash donations (these donations receive a charitable income tax receipt)
We are well on our way to continue the release in 2017! These numbers give us a release of 184 birds for next year.
200 pheasants will be released before the season opens next Saturday Sept 24th.
I got my tickets. Thanks. Could sure use that generator. :)
Ticket sales are now at $850.
Thanks Sharon for your continued support as well as your membership renewal!Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharon
200 birds will be released tomorrow for the season opener this Saturday.
Thanks to participants in our Youth Waterfowl Hunt on the weekend ticket sales are now at 95.
We also had a pheasant hunter drop in on Monday and buy 5 tickets.
Please remember there are 9 locations above in the poster where you can get your tickets.
Ticket sales are now over 150 thanks to opening weekend and FOH and MNRF volunteers canvasing the packed parking lots yesterday...it was busy!
The canvasing paid off as many would not have visited one of the 9 locations where tickets are available.
Thanks to all those who have supported!
Stopped into Clinton Sporting Goods today to check out the store and get a ticket. I'm not hunting pheasants these days but I'm happy to support the cause.
For those who were hunting Sat. (Didn't want to start a new thread.)
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Between 12:45 pm and 2 pm on Saturday Oct 1/16 (yesterday) a theft occurred at the main viewing stand parking located at 40905 Summerhill Rd (Hullett Marsh Zone A).
A 2005 black crew cab Silverado had its’ window smashed and a Browning Maxus shotgun, duck calls and a blind bag were stolen in broad daylight. The vehicle was parked in front of the outdoor washrooms in the parking lot.
If you have any information on this incident please call Huron County OPP at 519-524-8314.
That's pretty brazen. Be nice to catch those A-holes.
would that be on the "A" side of the area? Maybe the waterfowlers noticed something?
Quote:
Originally Posted by smallgamer
That's how I feel. I can't shoot any more, but still go up to let the dog work on pheasant. ( Almost got a ticket . My husband forgot his orange.:rolleyes: . I wasn't going all that way for nothing. I gave him the hat and I wore the vest. The C.O. wasn't impressed, but my tremendous charm :) saved a ticket. )
A ticket for what? Orange isn't mandatory.
Well why didn't you tell me that before? :) Why didn't he know that? Mercy.
Thanks. I missed the A site part.Quote:
Originally Posted by dilly
May have been a strong recommendation/warning to be as visible as possible especially when the place is busy. My eyes need all the help I can get.Quote:
Originally Posted by smallgamer
Ticket Sale Update:
188 tickets = $1880
$200 in cash donations (these donations receive a charitable income tax receipt)
With FOH matching the sales and donations the numbers above give us a release of 416 pheasants for 2017! We are almost halfway to the 1000 bird goal.
A big thanks to those supporting the pheasant release program.
I picked up my tickets at Clinton Sporting Goods. Nice store. Worth a visit for those in the area.
It is a great store especially for us up here in Clinton. Thanks Dilly, we did see your name on a few tickets and it is nice to have Clinton Sporting Goods support us with the ticket sales.Quote:
Originally Posted by dilly
Ticket Sales Update:
221 sold!
Keep it coming guys and girls so that we can have a good release program again in 2017!
Thanks
FOH
What do I get for a banded bird
We shot two a few weeks back.
We both have tickets
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You only have to wear orange if there is an open firearms season for big game. So in Hullet my guess is first week of November and first week of December deer hunts.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharon
Hi Stevietangles,Quote:
Originally Posted by stevietangles
You receive a hunter orange hat as seen on the start of this thread on the poster. 10% of released birds are banded. The hats were donated by Ideal Supply along with the grand prize of the generator.
Thanks
FOH
Do we get to keep the bands??
As well as the hats
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Yes you do get to keep both.Quote:
Originally Posted by stevietangles
Was out today. The cover is great and birds are there. Moved six in total. Three were roosters. My young dog still hasn't got the whole "hunt within range" or the "point the bird" yet. All flushed out of range and flew strong. Also some woodcock around...
Ticket Sales are now 237 and and should increase after the Youth Pheasant Hunt this weekend as many of the volunteers and parents will buy a ticket or two.
With only one month left until the draw we still have a long way too go to meet our goals for the 2017 release of 1000 birds.
Direct cash donations towards the 2017 release program have doubled from $200 to $400 thanks to a volunteer dog handler at the Youth Pheasant Hunt this past weekend giving us $200 while renewing his membership.
Ticket sales are now at 257 for revenue of $2570.
Therefore with FOH funding 50% of the program costs we now have a guaranteed release of 594 pheasants for 2017!
Our goal is to release 1000 birds in 2017 so please keep the support coming if you value the Hullett release program.
A big thanks to everyone for the support so far!
I'm a newer user of the Hullett facilities (2nd year) and I love the facility and everything you are up to. I've bought my membership and ticket happily, but at this time I'd like to provide some feedback.
You're grossly underpricing what you're providing. By comparison, one round of golf, one day of skiing or one night at the movies cost more than a years Pheasant hunting. IMO a fee in excess of $100 and fees for guest passes would be more in line with the cost of comparable recreational activities. The $25 foh membership fee would be more appropriate for a ONE DAY PASS. I'd gladly pay more to support a stronger, revenue positive program that discouraged freeloading. Just my opinion for what little its worth.
Nothing stopping you from donating more if you like. Rather see it kept the way it is rather than see it turn into a game farm.Quote:
Originally Posted by outdoorlife
And I may, but my donation will be unlikely to make up the remaining shortfall and the operator will still be left with only three choices, decrease costs by cutting the program, increase revenue or let the program go.....I would prefer a system whereby for the most part all users are paying their fair share.Quote:
Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers
Also, instituting a 2 bird, 1 hen limit would make the program more sustainable in its current form.
Heck I would do you 1 better as a 1 bird limit is really all you need. Unfortunately now you have to add the cost of enforcement and we are back to square 1. Really the only way you would achieve your goal would be a system where you could arrive purchase your 3 pheasants and release them yourself. That way you can spend as much or as little as you like for a days hunt.Quote:
Originally Posted by outdoorlife
I could be wrong here, but I think there is something existing in the Hullett PWA constitution that prohibits charging day use or membership fees.
I don't think there is any point in protecting hens either. The chances of any birds surviving into the spring to actually nest are slim to none. I base this on the number of hawk-kills I find.
There is no easy answer here. Users have to find it within themselves to give back.
Quote:
Originally Posted by outdoorlife
I've been hunting hullett for almost 20 years now. It is probably the best thing we have here in south Ontario for hunters, I would be glade to pay a $50 or $100 a year membership, It is well worth it. All you would have to do is get those parking lot style things that hang from the rear view mirror or something along those lines along with wallet cards, then with the revenue from that they might be able to hire a few more people patrolling the area and checking to make sure people have paid there membership fees, and get hullett back up to where it was before.
FOH thank you for all you guys do. I wish you had more resources to manage it better and get it back to what it was years ago.
FOH is not selling a service. They are operating the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area on behalf of the MNRF, which owns the property and its management plan. As Dilly points out, FOH's mandate from MNRF does not permit charging fees for the use of the area, which makes your idea a non-starter.Quote:
Originally Posted by outdoorlife
However, if that mandate were to change, charging a fee of over $100 would probably get you into diminishing returns pretty quick. Considering the backlash against the suggestion that hunting and fishing licence fees ought to rise with inflation, how do you think people would react to the MNRF turning Hullett into a pay-to-play game farm?
Hiring a few full-time employees to patrol the area in the hunting season is going to cost even more money than the pheasant release. And you'll run into another problem: that patroller can't tell whether I'm out there shooting pheasants, or birdwatching. You can't ticket a car on the assumption that people are pheasant hunting, and you can't reasonably expect other users of the area to buy passes to support the pheasant release. Hullett is a multiple-use area.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Gunner
The real problem is upland hunters have been taking Hullett for granted. Nothing prevents pheasant hunters from forming their own group (as waterfowlers have) and raising additional funds to support the pheasant release. But the problem with this is (as always) finding people with the time to do it.
Welsh Have you ever been to Hullett?
Pretty great place to go don't you think.
I totally disagree, I think you would have just as many people going to Hullett as they do now, and with more funding the better quality of hunting resources we have. Membership numbers would increase I'm sure. Its easy math. Not only for upland but waterfowl,deer,turkey, ext........
You are the first person I have ever heard opposed to this idea.
And yes when picking any hobby you are passionate about it comes at a price, You have to "Pay to Play"
Hullett marsh is a god sent to people who may not be able to afford land or have been able to access private property, not to mention for the people who do own or have access to private property but do not have the proper habitat for the particular game they are after. Hullett has it all. I'm fortunate enough to have a family property plus neighboring property's that has great habitat for everything and very healthy numbers of everything and I still love going to Hullett, and one main reason is the pheasant.
Pheasant hunting here is a privilege, The only other place you will be able to hunt pheasant should Hullett stop the release program would be at a game farm and at $25 bucks a bird that adds up pretty quick. Easy math, Which brigs me back to my point, people would still be happy to go there and pay the $100, its cheaper for what you can get, Not to mention the opportunity at many others type of hunt-able game there not just pheasant, and the fee would not only be for the pheasant hunters but everyone, deer, waterfowl, turkey exc.. hunters as well. We've walked out of there with game bags consisting of pheasants, rabbits, ducks, woodcock and grouse all in the same day,
And yes even the birdwatchers
And of the 20 years of going to Hullett I have never ever seen a bird watcher during pheasant season lol, I don't think their bird watching is very productive with guns going off, I cant see very many birds siting still for to long.
And even if they were just bird watching then offer that pass at $25 a year as they are not harvesting game, and only offer it on specific days of the week as Fingal does during the hunting season. This way theirs no confusion of which car is who's, If its there on hunting days look for the hunting pass in the window, its easy, No pass you get a ticket, again after a couple of tickets it'll be cheaper to just get the pass..
Get ride of the free loaders who contribute nothing and expect everything.
And hey if money is really the problem then they can have a set of hours one could volunteer to get a free membership.
My vote has to go to Welsh on this one. Even the FOH guys says if you want to shoot a bunch of pheasants go to a game farm. For me its a place I get to 1 or 2 a year to let the dog stretch its legs. This year took 1 pheasant so at a 100 dollars would I come back? Keep it as it is no need to fix something that is not broke. Forcing people to throw money at a problem never fixes anything. My only suggestion again is to look into the possibility of purchasing your own pheasants for release on the property. That way those who want to see more pheasants can see their dollars at work.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Gunner
This question wins the Leacock medal for humour writing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Gunner
Funny, I shot six pheasants last weekend, and I wasn't at Hullett or a game farm. Home by lunchtime both days.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Gunner
So we've established that (a) you don't really read this forum much, or you'd know I've "been to Hullett" once or twice, and (b) you know squat about pheasant hunting opportunities in this province.
Why should people who aren't hunting pheasants pay to support your pheasant hunting habit? It's the cost of the pheasant program that's the issue, not the cost of running the area as a whole.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Gunner
I've only been up there three times this season, if I recall correctly. And in those three trips, I encountered non-hunters in the area on two occasions. Not birdwatchers, in this case, but horseback riders. This is a multiple use area, not a hunting preserve, and much of the FOH membership is actually non-hunters. Indeed, non-hunters shoulder much of the burden of fundraising and volunteering. They make this area work.
The problem is the cost of the pheasant program. The solution is simple: upland hunters can get together and form their own user organization, as waterfowlers and trail users have done, and raise money to support the pheasant release and the maintenance of the upland zone.
Most of the hunting season falls on weekdays. So you're going to patrol this area with volunteers, who you're going to authorize somehow to issue trespassing tickets? And they're going to cover it seven days a week?Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Gunner
Or, get the same volunteers to run a fundraising event or two.
Which of these is pie-in-the-sky thinking?
FFF The Guys at FOH have no chose but to tell people that, look this thread was started to try and raise money for the next years release.
Like someone else said you go once or twice a year that's awesome get a day pass. Or if you cant afford it don't go. There's lots of other people who will still go.
And as for that 1 pheasant you got his year, congrats that's awesome. But if you went to a game farm most have a min 5 bird limit at $25 bucks a bird. That's $150.00, Still cheaper to get the pass.
And if you want to buy your own pheasant throw it up in the air and shoot it lololol you can do that anywhere, but to somewhat realistically hunt pheasant in someone of a natural setting Hullett is your place.
The thing is it is breaking, so why wait till its broken before fixing it. Cheaper to start now before its really screwed.
There's people near Toronto who pay way more for the privilege to hunt pheasant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by welsh
Like I said get ride of the free loaders, who contribute nothing and expect everything
Must you always argue with everyone?
If you have hunted at Hullett for 20 years like you claim to have, you sure don't see the big picture.
Going a bit too far. Look if you want to pan handle great go ahead but don't berate those who just don't see your point of view. Remember Hullet is a public area and for me should be left that way. Spend the bulk of my time on public lands that has zero fees attached and there is plenty of game to keep me entertained. So fees do not equate to better hunting. Even Norfolk that has a pheasant program I neither buy a permit or bother with their birds. So the notion that you got to spend here and there is not supported. No where is there so much pan handling than at Hullet and for what actually? For me let it go wild this year haven't see it look so good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Gunner
Uh, no. It was because you claimed that Hullett was the only option other than game farms. I gave you the benefit of the doubt, and assumed you were just ignorant of all the other opportunities out there. Now you've come back to admit that you were lying. Thanks for clearing that up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Gunner
FOH has two full-time employees, Scott and Sarah, who already have full-time jobs. They are not sitting around the office looking for things to do.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Gunner
Sorry to burst your bubble, but while FOH manages the area and raises its own funds, other groups also raise funds for Hullett Marsh. The waterfowling zone is a joint effort between FOH and DU, and there is also a Hullett waterfowlers association. There is a group of people who maintain the trails (the Trailblazers), who hold an annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser. And so on. It's clear you don't actually know much about how this area is run.Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Gunner
The point is, other users of the area are represented by groups that raise money to help out. Pheasant hunters are not.
Ah, so now I'm a freeloader. The fact that I shot a couple of limits proves this. It proves that I never contribute anything -- I'm not a member of FOH, don't buy pheasant challenge tickets, and never give FOH additional cash donations. And I'm certainly not involved in any fundraising activities related to Hullett and other areas!Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Gunner
I guess you know me pretty well.
But this isn't about me. It's about the question of how to raise more money for pheasants at Hullett. Which returns us to a basic point: FOH cannot legally charge fees for use of the area. So your idea is a non-starter.
There is a practical alternative: form an association of upland hunters to raise money for pheasants. Based on Scott's math, with FOH covering half the expense and the rest coming from pheasant challenge tickets and donations, we are only looking at a shortfall of ~ $2000. I'm pretty certain we could raise that money in several ways, but none of them involve sitting on our thumbs asking other people to take care of it for us.
$2k doesn't sound like an impossible amount. Do they ever have raffles? I'm a sucker for gun raffles. And I don't hunt Hullet.
A couple of years back, the importer for Webley & Scott shotguns donated a shotgun for a raffle to support the pheasant program. The only thing I know about how that worked out was that I didn't win the gun.
But let's remember that FOH is made up of very busy volunteers and two also-very-busy full-time staff. All these things take someone's time.
They had a big auction this Fall-sold out seating.Quote:
Originally Posted by terrym
It's sad when you consider all the revenue Hullett collects from land rent. It's too bad a very small percentage of this isn't earmarked for side A which is officially designated as upland use and to be managed for this.
Side A could be logged which would greatly improve its value as upland game habitat. This would also raise valuable funds for years of assistance for Sude A.
The forest north of Conservation Road will not be logged, as it is earmarked to be managed as forest. There are few woodlots in southern Ont large enough to provide significant habitat for forest interior birds, but that forest qualifies and that's what's in the management plan for the long term. It can't all be about upland birds.
Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk
Hullett Financial Facts:Quote:
Originally Posted by peteypointer
Zone A is managed for wetland habitat and Zone B is managed for upland habitat.
The land rent is the majority of revenue used to operate the HPWA as a whole. Fundraising, membership donations and funded environmental projects make up the rest. A large part of staff time goes into these revenue generating activities with mnay hours spent writing funding applications of which only a few are successful but we have to try.
For those of you that attend the annual AGM you will know that the annual operating budget is only between $130K to $160K per year average depending upon funding success.
Operating costs:
-wages for 2 full time employees (we can afford 2 now that we have paid off a bank loan for our office trailer)
-insurance and repairs for 2 snowmobiles, lawnmowers, 2 atv's and one tractor and one large habitat mower
-hydro, telephone, internet, and propane heating costs
-repairs and purchases of weed wackers, chainsaws, pressure washer, generator etc
-computer and software upgrades, web site hosting fees, radio licence fees, pheasant licence fees
-bookeeping and payroll fees, accountant sees to prepare our charitable tax return
-insurance on contents (tools etc)and new office trailer insurance
-liability insurance for volunteers and Board of Directors
-Volunteer Director expences for meeting mileage and ink and paper
-Paint, materials and supplies for the 21 parking lots and gates
-Road grading and gravel costs
-Signage costs incuding posts and hardware
-Waste dispsoal costs
-Personal protection costs for staff and volunteers
-snow removal
- etc etc
-$8500 for a new and needed privy was spent 2016 as well as $8000 on a new roof at the main viewing stand, these are huge costs on infrastructure that FOH is responsible for and expected to maintain by the provincial governmant that governs us
Therefore as the OP on this thread it is easy for all to see how the $10000 annually to release 1000 pheasants in 2017 is a huge cost to FOH. Pheasant hunters are the most financially consumptive user group that we have.
We are very proud for all that we do in managing the HPWA with so little dollars.
We will elaborate on another post soon regarding all the conversations in this thread.
It's FRiday night Scott. Go have some fun. :)
A bunch of years ago, when my (late) Brittany Sadie and I would go up to Hullet regularly, I posted this thought....if every upland hunter bought a FOH membership and a Pheasant Challenge ticket they would have spent $35. That's a deal for one day of hunting at Hullet. If a person went there five times during the season, they would have invested the princely sum of $7 per visit. The solution is simple. Users....ante up. If you can't see your way clear to spent $35 a season for the opportunity to hunt Hullet as much as you want, well....
Having said that, I did take two dog-less strolls at Hullet this year, for the first time in four or five years, and harvested one whole squirrel. I am going to buy a FOH membership, just because.
We would like to thank everyone for supporting FOH in 2016 to help the "Pheasant Release Program''. Based on this support the program will continue for 2017 and we now have $ to release over 600 birds next year and counting. FOH is matching these funds dollar for dollar.
The final release for 2016 was a few days ago so there are plenty of birds out there now for all to enjoy.
We also have Challenge tickets for sale before the draw that takes place after pheasant season. Ideal Supply has donated the grand prize generator as well as the prize hats for banded birds.
Our post above explains our financial obligations....the math is simple.This thread has some great ideas, listed below are a few facts to help everyone understand.
-User fees, daily passes etc are not allowed to be charged at the HPWA
-Pheasant hunting regulations are those listed in WMU # 85
-Memberships are voluntary donations and tax receipts are issued for those giving $25 or more, some people donate more and as an example a $75 donation can be allocated with $25 going towards membership and $50 directly to the pheasant program
-Staff have many projects and daily tasks to accomplish....the pheasant program is a small part of the big picture
-Challenge tickets have been available at 9 locations other then the Hullett office to allow supports easy access to tickets when no one is at the office (we do have field work with 5400 acres)
-Free-loaders will always be present the same as those that dump their litter at Hullett and shoot our signs and privy doors
Looking ahead to 2017 the idea of adding a gun raffle to help support the release may be a good idea. Perhaps the gun could be the grand prize ahead of the generator?
We all know everyone loves a gun raffle. Combining the prizes would save $ and time on lottery licence applications, ticket printing fees and mandatory lottery reporting after the draw is held. Guns cost $ though so a partially donated gun would be a good start!
I went today. Lots of bird opportunities judging by the shooting. Cover is great and I got 2birds over my dogs who got great exercise. Met a couple young fellas there for their first time. Talking to them served as a reminder of how great the area is as they seemed blown away by the set up. Thanks for all your hard work Scott. I love Hullett.
I've only been hunting grouse since August 2016 and have a strong interest in pheasant. I'll be definitely donating and looking into the membership as well. Im in the greater hamilton area, and if anyone is interested in heading up to Hullet sometime drop me a line.
Looking forward to making new hunting partners and friends. Stay safe
Sorry to clarify, have acquired my pal and h1 since roughly August. Started hunting grouse mid October. Sorry for any confusion.
Ticket sales are now at 269 for revenue of $2690 plus $400 in direct donations.
Therefore with FOH funding 50% of the program costs we now have a guaranteed release of 618 pheasants for the 2017 season ($10 per bird).
The draw is coming up soon for the generator.
All direct donations receive a charitable tax receipt.
Its getting better as ticket sales are now approaching the 300 mark!
The grand prize draw will be held on Dec 19/16.
A deer hunter reported today that he has seen 6 pheasants over the last 2 days at Hullett.
The last day of the season is Dec 15.
The final ticket sale numbers are in.....316!!!
The grand prize winner has been annouced on our Faceook page https://www.facebook.com/Hullett-Marsh-279870435685766/
and will also be announced in our winter member Newsletter.
We have also received direct donations of $525 towards the pheasant release.
Therefore the 2017 pheasant release will continue with a guaranteed release of 737 birds next year.
It is very nice to see upland hunters supporting the "Pheasant Challenge" this year by purchasing over 100 more tickets than last fall. We still have a ways to go to reach the 1000 bird mark but the increase in revenue is very positive.
Thank you and happy holidays to all!
Thanks to FOH for your great work. See you next year.
X2. Great work Scott.Quote:
Originally Posted by iHuntz