Ottawa Area Mentoring, Small Game, Deer and Ducks 2018

[line052]

I went out Mountain Crown Conservation on Saturday to scope several ponds I located on Google maps. When I looked into the back in 2016, I was told it was only ATV type trails. I am please to report the roads (not trails), are passable by SUV or Truck. A small car can get in but, but some of the rutted roads have high center wheel ruts.

Several ponds located within reserve are what I would call geese only ponds as they are deep with very little "duck" food on shore. Very sparsely used trails as vegetation was not pounded down by vehicles. The furthest pond up road had recent signs of shotgun shooting with a nice collection of 3" and 3.5" shotgun shells recovered for reloading. Since most shells were of the 3.5" size, I would say those hunting this pond were shooting at long distance (best guess).

There is no doubt this is an overnight roosting spot, which lends to an evening hunt to catch returning birds, almost no way to sneak in during morning hunt, but many flocks flew overhead during my visit, which would lend to calling and decoys. However, during the morning fly out, geese seem to be focused on getting to feeding areas, vice landing after first flight.

As for other game opportunities, the cover and berries where plentiful, so I think it should sustain a good upland game population and I was hoping to see some road chickens on the way out 11 AM, but nothing.

I think this area would be a good area to spend a weekend once the leaves are down to present better small game visibility as it is quite thick with cover, never seen a single deer track on the roads or in woods I explored. It is a beautiful area to camp and explore for weekend and I think I might move the camp last weekend before deer season starts to test the area.

Those who come to current camp (next two weekends) I will share the location and plan to do so this weekend and next to try and organize a end month weekend. Distance from Ottawa South is about 15Km more then entrance to current location and road (trails) is 3.8KM to furthest location which takes more time with camper on truck. The trail is not as narrow as current trail into MB Camp, and the first 1.5KM is worst portion (secondary road), with many potholes filled with water.

I will see/share those who are coming this Friday within current camp location. 12FT kayak status, both repair solutions that were tried have not taken to stop the crack in seam and we are trying one more solution before I write it off and start looking for another 2 person boat.

See you in the woods!!

[awndray]

Kudos on the scouting report. Well done. That's a beautiful area, and only about 10 minutes from my place.

I've been absent from all things hunting since last deer season. A 4-month old has been keeping me busy lately. I wish I could join you guys--if not for a hunt, at least for some stories and coffee.

When I get back into the swing of things, I'll hit you up Mark. I look forward to hunting with you.

[rf2]

I used to hunt the Mountain Provincial Wildlife area a lot. I hunted there a bit for turkeys this spring. The ponds are hunted regularly for geese, and your assessment of how they are hunted is right on. The hunters who used to use it don't bother picking up their shells. Of the two places (Mountain or Marlborough), you will be disturbed a lot less at Marlborough.

Deer hunting at the Mountain Provincial Wildlife area used to be very good, especially if you had an antlerless tag, but I found that the deer population has gone down a lot over the last 10 years. Grouse hunting was good, but it's not great anymore. There a very few rabbits there. Turkey hunting there is still pretty good.

[anfield21]

One other thing to note about that area (I could be wrong) is that it is owned by the South Nation Conservation Authority and a permit must be purchased to hunt there. http://www.nation.on.ca/sites/defaul...0ENGLISH_0.pdf

[line052]

Mountain Area not SMCA

One other thing to note about that area (I could be wrong) is that it is owned by the South Nation Conservation Authority and a permit must be purchased to hunt there. http://www.nation.on.ca/sites/defaul...0ENGLISH_0.pdf

[awndray]

Mountain Provincial Wildlife Area? Former Winchester Bog? While it does sit in the South Nation watershed, it's owned and managed by MNRF. http://www.nation.on.ca/recreation/hunting

[rf2]

Unfortunately Mark's thread has been a bit derailed, but I just wanted to add - Most of the area, and the pond area in particular is not SNCA land. If you check the map in the following link, it shows where a permit is "required": http://geoportal.nation.on.ca/Html5V...lic.Mobile#%20

[greatwhite]

I had quite the discussion with the Co about that an area that I use to hunt they didn't even know where there land started or ended. They left me alone.

One other thing to note about that area (I could be wrong) is that it is owned by the South Nation Conservation Authority and a permit must be purchased to hunt there. http://www.nation.on.ca/sites/defaul...0ENGLISH_0.pdf

[Vinny]

Hi Mark. just came across this post. are you still out in the forest on weekend?

[line052]

To all for the mentoring program.

I will have to put the rest of the season of the season on hold. I have been dealing with health issue and lots of testing lately, the results are in, and I will be having open heart surgery shortly for routine (but urgent condition), prognosis is 90%, so it pretty much kills the rest of my hunting season for the next month.

Since prognosis is so good, I can look forward to getting out after January 2019 for coyote season, but as of right now..NO DEER season for me or the mentoring program. Waterfowl was virtually none existent last weekend and I was going to move to deer scouting starting this weekend and find locations all of the new hunters as the signs around have been promising. I still might go out this weekend, but as soon as surgery is completed..I will be banned from diving for 6 weeks or so until my chest heals.

I want to thank all those who came out, partook, helped, shared and made this season so far, very memorable with many good laughs and good times...including my fine from MNR for a dumb(rear end) rookie move (forgetting plug in shotgun $125 fine). He was really good about it, and just shows due diligence, is always the first order of business.

The camp ran so smooth this year, with so many hunters helping with the logistics of running the camp. From cooking, to cleaning game, firewood, to picking up decoys and helping me cart everything back from waters edge and load into trailers and truck. We had great fires and many stories this season, staying up past 12AM just shooting the feces.

It brings great joy and happy memories to look back on this season with a final tally of 76 hunters through the camp, miles and miles put in road hunting, no one fell out of boats or got soaked this season. SO many learned from each other, many more made friends with fellow hunters and I am sure secured a few hunting bonds that will last a lifetime.