2020 Hullett Marsh Pheasant Release

Many of you upland hunters are members of the Friends of Hullett but just in case you are not the message below was emailed to our membership 2 days ago:



Hello members and friends,

Pheasant Challenge Tickets:

• We now have tickets on hand and ready for sale!
• The attached poster will show you details of 8 sale locations of our 2 sponsors Ideal Supply & Clinton Sporting Goods
• You can also purchase tickets direct from Friends of Hullett with multiple contactless payment options
• We will complete the ticket for you and mail you the stubs, EMT and PayPal are preferred payment types
• Click here to purchase on our website homepage via PayPal just as you would shop from home….Free Shipping!
• INTERAC email money transfers EMT (to this email address) will get you your tickets fast with “Auto Deposit” requiring no security question
• You can still mail us a cheque or phone in a credit card to get tickets as well
• With the current health crisis our office is still closed to the public for your safety and ours and no tickets will be sold at the office for the time being

2020 Pheasant Hunt:

• 920 pheasants will be released this fall at Hullett Marsh thanks to last years support!

• The future of the pheasant hunt at Hullett is in the hands of the hunters who financially support it
• Direct cash donations are also accepted and provide you with an income tax receipt
• Avid Hullett pheasant hunters may want to consider ordering a blank book or 2 of Pheasant Challenge tickets to sell to their “bubble friends/hunters”

Attachment 40632

UPDATE:

200 pheasants will be released in ZONE B prior to small game and pheasant opening day on Friday September 25 2020.

Please practice provincial COVID safety guidelines if you encounter other property users in the parking lots.

Since August 5 we have received enough financial hunter support to release 200 birds for the 2021 season.....Big thank you to those who have contributed!

Our new User Guide/Map can be downloaded on our web site and is also available as a hard copy in all 20 access parking lots.

Our office remains closed to the public with no visitors allowed for the safety of volunteers, staff and public property users.

You can easily renew or become a member here: http://www.hullettmarsh.com/contact_us.html

Best of luck this hunting season and please be safe out there!

Hunted the Hullett opener today for the first time in many years. The cover this year is spectacular. Ran into several other hunters and had brief pleasant encounters. It got hot pretty quickly and we tapped out at 11am. We moved two birds and managed to bag both although not due to my shooting. Popped into Clinton Sporting Goods and grabbed a couple pheasant challenge tickets too so the program will keep running. I strongly encourage people to do the same. There were literally dozens of people hunting today. Imagine if they all contributed financially to this great place.

I made it out for a quick hunt this morning before work. Managed to bag a rooster. Noticed quite a few vehicles parked in the parking lots and shots in the distance. If everyone who hunts pheasants at Hullett buys some tickets I’m sure we can keep enjoying this great pheasant hunting tradition Hullett offers.

My son and I made it out on Saturday for a hunt @ Hullett. It quickly warmed up but that did not prevent us from flushing 3 birds and ending up with 2.
We packed up around noon as it just got too hot to walk and the dog was getting over heated.
Overall a great time, the grounds are in perfect condition. We saw lots of vehicles in the parking lot but did not run into many hunters while out and about.
In speaking to one hunter in the parking lot, we were warned not to shoot any decoy pheasant? The MNR was out the day before and placing pheasant decoys on the side of the road. They did catch a few overly excited hunters.
One other thing, we saw some duck hunters setup in a swamp in zone "B". I thought you could only duck hunt in Zone "A"? Am I wrong? Are you allowed to duck hunt in zone B?

You can hunt ducks and geese in both zone’s.

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Originally Posted by dilly

Hunted the Hullett opener today for the first time in many years. The cover this year is spectacular. Ran into several other hunters and had brief pleasant encounters. It got hot pretty quickly and we tapped out at 11am. We moved two birds and managed to bag both although not due to my shooting. Popped into Clinton Sporting Goods and grabbed a couple pheasant challenge tickets too so the program will keep running. I strongly encourage people to do the same. There were literally dozens of people hunting today. Imagine if they all contributed financially to this great place.

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Thanks for the support Dilly! I will be visiting Clinton Sporting Goods to collect ticket stubs and revenue today. Thank goodness in this year of COVID that our tickets are selling well on our online platforms....we promptly mail the stubs to the hunters purchasing. We will update the revenue collected so far for the 2021 release in a week or so on this thread.

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Originally Posted by fishhawk

I made it out for a quick hunt this morning before work. Managed to bag a rooster. Noticed quite a few vehicles parked in the parking lots and shots in the distance. If everyone who hunts pheasants at Hullett buys some tickets I’m sure we can keep enjoying this great pheasant hunting tradition Hullett offers.

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Well said fishhawk!

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Originally Posted by chocolateman

My son and I made it out on Saturday for a hunt @ Hullett. It quickly warmed up but that did not prevent us from flushing 3 birds and ending up with 2.
We packed up around noon as it just got too hot to walk and the dog was getting over heated.
Overall a great time, the grounds are in perfect condition. We saw lots of vehicles in the parking lot but did not run into many hunters while out and about.
In speaking to one hunter in the parking lot, we were warned not to shoot any decoy pheasant? The MNR was out the day before and placing pheasant decoys on the side of the road. They did catch a few overly excited hunters.
One other thing, we saw some duck hunters setup in a swamp in zone "B". I thought you could only duck hunt in Zone "A"? Am I wrong? Are you allowed to duck hunt in zone B?

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We circulated this message in a PDF "Hunting at Hullett" document to our membership via email last week. The original document contained many hyperlinks. The regulations are hard for some to understand so we attempted to educate both hunters and non hunters:

Hunting at Hullett Marsh

A fact sheet to help you understand, research and enjoy your hunting experience at the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area (HPWA)

Multi-Use Property
• Please be mindful and respectful of other property users such as hikers, skiers, snowshoe users, canoeists/kayakers, photographers, horseback riders, foragers, birdwatchers, school groups and nature groups
• Wearing a blaze orange hat/vest will increase your visibility to other property users for the safety of all concerned

Property Location:
• HPWA is lo
cated in Huron County near the towns of Clinton and Seaforth.
• The HPWA is a 5,400-acre, multi-use crown property.
• The MNRF WMU is #85 for both Zone A & B, “controlled deer hunt” is 85B
• No winter snow removal is performed on Hullett interior roads.

Hunting Regulation Facts:
• First and foremost, all hunters using the property must read and understand Hullett and Provincial hunting regulations before hunting.
• If you are hunting migratory birds such as waterfowl, woodcock and doves you must also read and understand Federal regulations.
• Hullett is open for hunting 365 days a year with no fees charged to hunt.
• Sunday gun hunting is permitted at Hullett.
• With Sunday gun hunting, Hullett does not have a late goose season.
• The property is divided into 2 hunting zones each with very different regulations. Refer to the User Guide for rules pertaining to each management zone; both A & B.
• The South Maitland River is the boundary between each zone.
• Zone A has 6 access parking lots and Zone B has 14 access parking lots.
• In order to hunt at HPWA you must park in a designated parking lot as per Hullett regulations.
• The property has 3 areas that no public access is permitted 365 days a year; 2 baited areas and 1 wildlife refuge (White Tail Swamp).
• Please note that Friends of Hullett (FOH) staff are not Conservation Officers with detailed knowledge of Provincial and Federal regulations.
• Spring wild turkey hunting is permitted in Zones A & B.
• Migratory birds may be hunted in both Zone A & B.

The regulation links below will help you with your research:
Hullett Specific Regulations
2020-2021 Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary
Federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations

Scouting and Property Knowledge:
• Hullett Marsh is a very large and intimidating property especially for first time hunters visiting the property.
• The Hullett map that is located in the center of our User Guide is your best friend while you navigate the property.
• User Guides are available online via our web site and hard copies can be found in the map boxes located at each of our 20 parking lots.
• Successful hunters visit the property many times before hunting seasons to scout various habitats for signs of wildlife, to learn access points and to observe water levels.
• Scouting methods include driving the property perimeter and interior roads, hiking, canoeing/kayaking and GOOGLE maps.
Volunteering and Membership advantages:
• Volunteering your time helping with nesting programs, events, habitat care and general property maintenance is a great way to scout and learn about the Hullett landscape.
• Becoming a FOH member not only helps support us financially in property maintenance and signage but it also gives you access to updates and newsletters via email.

Pheasant Hunting
• A Township/Municipal license in not required to hunt pheasants at the HPWA.
• Pheasants have been released free of charge to the public for over 30 years at the HPWA for public hunting in Zone B only. Lead shot is allowed.
• FOH has a goal of releasing 1000 birds free per year at various intervals throughout the pheasant season costing FOH over $11,000 annually.
• Your direct donations towards the pheasant release program will generate a charitable tax receipt for you and ensure birds for the 2021 hunt.
• Donations and your purchase of “Pheasant Challenge” tickets will help FOH continue this release program and ensure birds for the 2021 hunt.
• Based on 2020 financial support 920 pheasants will be released for the 2020 hunt.
• The future of the hunt is in your hands pheasant hunters!
• Staff are not permitted to disclose details of release dates and locations.

The document is well laid out unlike the copy we have posted above.

If anyone would like it please request via email at [email protected] and we will gladly send it to you!

I was there again today. The cover this year is as good as I have ever seen. Just awesome for the dogs. It’s not easy to find them, but the birds are there.

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Originally Posted by dilly

I was there again today. The cover this year is as good as I have ever seen. Just awesome for the dogs. It’s not easy to find them, but the birds are there.

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While habitat mowing in Zone B today I discovered these 2!

Attachment 40866

Had a good day today at Hullett. The veteran dog moved three hens and two woodcock for me. I collected some. The hens were pretty big and flew really well. Still trying to get that "magic moment" with the pup and his first pheasant point.
https://i.imgur.com/vMsxZDC.jpg

Also encountered two COs making the rounds. They rolled up during my "kodak moment" for a chat. It was a real pleasure talking with a couple real professionals. Thank you officers Pegrum and Rukas for keeping an eye out.

Beautiful picture.

Dogs are looking good dilly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dilly

Had a good day today at Hullett. The veteran dog moved three hens and two woodcock for me. I collected some. The hens were pretty big and flew really well. Still trying to get that "magic moment" with the pup and his first pheasant point.
https://i.imgur.com/vMsxZDC.jpg

Also encountered two COs making the rounds. They rolled up during my "kodak moment" for a chat. It was a real pleasure talking with a couple real professionals. Thank you officers Pegrum and Rukas for keeping an eye out.

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Great picture Dilly....this proves to the doubters that those who work hard and have good dogs stand a good chance of locating a pheasant or 2!

The 2 hens in your picture were released on Sept 23!!

We are also very appreciative of our 2 local Conservation Officers patrolling the Hullett PWA and keeping things regulated and safer for all types of property users.

Wow my dog still has a long way to go or I am in the areas. He is just a 8 month old Brittany pup but we spent 6 hours there last Friday and Saturday and he didn't point anything. Maybe will have more luck tomorrow.

At 8 months he doesn't even know what he is looking for. Be patient. One bird and he'll be on his way. Enjoy.

I have been training him pretty much every week since June on pigeons first then on chuckars so that is not entirely true. We only trained with a couple of pheasants so maybe that is it. Will try again tomorrow and report results.

Success he pointed at 6 birds. His point hold was not too long. He could only hold for 10-15 seconds before busted the birds. Some of them he even bumped without pointing. We were able to get two of them. Not sure what I should do at this point. Let him keep busting birds this year or try and work on the whoa which he was quite good at in training this summer.

BigK75 congrats on getting the dog on birds. Personally I would refrain from shooting at busted birds as I feel it only encourages the dog to keep doing it. I would go back to working on him to whoa and stay. I haven't had bird dogs for a couple of years now and miss those days of having one. Good luck and enjoy the companionship that they bring and many years of success with the dog down the road. Ken

I feel like you are 100% right. I am going to stop this right now. Next hunt if he busts a bird no shooting at it.

Me and a buddy were out just before Thanksgiving weekend and had a great day up at Hullett again. Even collected a banded rooster!
https://i.imgur.com/GPANhJo.jpg

Spoke to several others who were enjoying the area that day too. Please folks, if you travel up for a hunt, buy some pheasant challenge tickets to keep this going . Its the best deal going in the province.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dilly

Me and a buddy were out just before Thanksgiving weekend and had a great day up at Hullett again. Even collected a banded rooster!
https://i.imgur.com/GPANhJo.jpg

Spoke to several others who were enjoying the area that day too. Please folks, if you travel up for a hunt, buy some pheasant challenge tickets to keep this going . Its the best deal going in the province.

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Well said Dilly! This hunt means so much to many upland hunters. The hunter support will determine the number of pheasants released in 2021. So far the support is good and almost 500 birds are funded for the 2021 release!

Another way to support is direct cash donations to the release that generate the donor a charitable tax receipt.

We will update this thread with exact numbers in the next few days as we are working on processing revenue right now and will update our FOH membership. Our PayPal platform online has been a saving grace for Pheasant Challenge ticket sales!

What a great picture! Thanks. :)

Those GWP have a cool look to them.

In case you are not an FOH member this message was just sent to our membership. You will notice an update to the financial support for the continuation of the Hullett PWA pheasant release!


Hello Friends and Members,

FOH would like to thank everyone who has renewed their membership and also the 59 new first time members so far in 2020. This membership revenue greatly helps us fund parking lot rebuilding, paint and signage, privy care and general infrastructure maintenance. We are proud to put your dollars to work making the property better for all public users. FOH has strength in membership numbers sharing our common goals!

Key hunting season dates to remember:
• October 31 – last day of fall turkey hunting (archery only)
• November 2 to November 8 – Controlled WMU # 85B firearm deer hunt (you must have a controlled hunt validation tag to participate)
• November 30 – last day of Mourning Dove season

Winter Maintenance:
• As a reminder it is important to note that no winter snow removal is performed on Hullett PWA interior roads

Corn Harvest:
• As of October 27 no corn has been harvested from any HPWA agricultural fields
• 2020 crop maps are available in PDF via your email request

Woodcock Migration:
• We sense the peak migration will occur this week at Hullett
• If you are an upland hunter this will be a magical time of the year for you

Pheasant Release Program:
• At this point in time thanks to everyone’s support we have generated enough revenue to release over 550 pheasants for the 2021 fall hunt
• Our goal is to release 1000 pheasant in 2021 based on support for the release program from donations and ticket sales, we are over half way there!
• You can donate directly to the release program and receive a charitable tax receipt
• We have just received a very generous $1000 donation from an active FOH member
• Pheasant Challenge ticket purchases allow hunters and non-hunters a chance at 2 grand prizes
• Our grand prize sponsors are Ideal Supply with the awesome portable generator and Clinton Sporting Goods with the beautiful 20 gauge shotgun
• We encourage you to support these 2 sponsors with your mechanical, automotive and sporting good needs!
• Tickets available here >>>> http://www.hullettmarsh.com/index.html

Hullett Pheasant hunters are reporting good hunts in November this year!

With 2 releases scheduled after the November controlled deer hunt more pheasants will be available to late season hunters. In 2019 we had one release after the controlled hunt.

The 5 inches of snow on the ground yesterday almost vanished today.

Financial update:

We now have enough funds to release 610 birds for the 2021 fall hunt. Thank you hunters for the support! If you keep this up we will achieve our 1000 bird goal!

It is up to Hullett pheasant hunters to decide how many birds will be released in 2021 as we really want to keep this program going.

We are now funded to release over 700 pheasants in 2021.

Thank you for the support everyone; let's keep this going to achieve our 1000 bird goal!!

Since some of us will not be gathering this holiday season FOH has a solution to help you get a gift to friends and family members. If you purchase Pheasant Challenge tickets you will put smile on your loved ones faces with a chance to win the generator donated by Ideal Supply or the shotgun donated by Clinton Sporting Goods!

We will send the tickets along with a Christmas Greeting acknowledging you as the gift sender via Canada Post. A quick email to us with your loved one’s name, phone # and mailing address after your PayPal purchase will allow us to send the gift from you. You do not need a PayPal account to buy tickets.

E-Transfers to this email address [email protected] with shipping instructions via separate email will also get Pheasant Challenge tickets out in time for Christmas.

Purchase deadline is December 31/2020 with a prize draw date of January 20 2021. Tickets can be easily be purchased here http://www.hullettmarsh.com/index.html (our homepage) with free shipping!! 3 ticket minimum purchase required for PayPal orders.

We have reached 75% of our 1000 bird 2021 release goal!

Thank you everyone, lets keep this going. December 31 is the last day for ticket sales with the grand prize draw held on January 20/21 at Clinton Sporting Goods!

We look forward to your support upland hunters.

If things improve by the Spring due to the vaccine, are you guys going to put on the dinner auction?

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Originally Posted by dilly

If things improve by the Spring due to the vaccine, are you guys going to put on the dinner auction?

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The board of directors have had a large discussion about this as well as contacting the owner of the venue. With Huron/Perth currently in “orange status” and the uncertainty of the rollout of mass vaccination a tough decision was made to not hold the dinner this spring.

Also the big discussion revolved around peoples reluctance to attend such an event even if the orange status gets removed. Tickets for the event would be printed right now and sales starting right away and given the current health situation the board has decided this is not the right thing to do.

On the bright side we are already over our all-time record of pheasant challenge ticket sales with two more weeks to go!

We have also received $2136 (so far in 2020) in direct cash donations toward the 2021 pheasant release generating tax receipts to the donors! It’s far exceeds the $870 in cash donations we received in 2019.

The generosity of the donors combined with record ticket sales will guarantee a 2021 pheasant release for the public of Ontario.

We are currently holding many donations from the cancelled 2020 dinner last year and are planning an online auction of some of these items on our social media platforms to generate more revenue with a percentage of the proceeds going towards the pheasant release.

Thanks for the reply. I popped into Clinton Sporting Goods yesterday and picked up a couple more tickets as stocking stuffers. If I want to donate another couple items to the online auction, should I just contact you guys directly?

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Originally Posted by dilly

Thanks for the reply. I popped into Clinton Sporting Goods yesterday and picked up a couple more tickets as stocking stuffers. If I want to donate another couple items to the online auction, should I just contact you guys directly?

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Hi Dilly,

Yes you can do that and please email a fair value so we can give you a tax receipt. You can always drop the items off at CS Goods as well. Look forward to your email.

FOH

Hello Upland Ladies and Gents,

Just an update that went out to our members a while ago (below).

The 2021 Hullett pheasant release will continue thanks to the financial support we received!!

Hello Friends,

New Employee:
• The Friends of Hullett (FOH) would like to welcome Amber Frak as our new “Wildlife and GIS Technician”
• Amber brings a diverse skill set to FOH with her wetland and waterfowl background and you can learn a little more about Amber in the link below:
• http://www.hullettmarsh.com/employees.html

FOH Membership:
• We are proud to have over 300 up-to-date members supporting FOH
• Thank you to everyone who renewed their membership in 2020 and also the 82 new first time new members!
• Renewal reminders will be sent to expired members before February 1st
• Membership renewals can be easily done in the link below
• http://www.hullettmarsh.com/contact_us.html

Pheasant Challenge:
• Thanks to member and non-member support we have had another record year of financial support to fund the 2021 fall Pheasant release!!
• $6900 in ticket income and $2336 in direct cash donations!!
• The attached EXCEL sheet will show you the financial support growth since 2014
• The 2020 Pheasant Challenge draw will be held tomorrow for the generator and the shotgun grand prizes
• Ideal Supply & Clinton Sporting Goods have been kind enough to sponsor this raffle, sell tickets for FOH and donate the grand prizes; be sure to support these 2 businesses with your local shopping!

Photo Contest:
• You can submit your photos via email for chance to be featured on the cover of the next Hullett User Guide; deadline is March 31 2021

Online Auction:
• Be sure to follow us on Instagram @hullett_marsh for an upcoming online auction of donated items to FOH in the month of February 2021