Huntable Rivers

[Dovelove]

Can anyone direct me toward a link or publication regarding river hunting in Ontario?

[jobbershunting]

I don't think anything like that exists.

Rivers for the most part fall under the Navigable Waters Act and are therefore crown land. Aside from a couple areas in Southern Ontario, and as long as you respect any local 'no-discharge' bylaws and don't step foot on land you are good to go.

Like most instances though, common sense should prevail. I.e. don't paddle up a creek through a farmers field and start blasting away from your canoe.

[greatwhite]

Also give a bit more information as to your questions and we all might be able to help out. But as JoberrsHunting said..

Can anyone direct me toward a link or publication regarding river hunting in Ontario?

[Dovelove]

Honestly, the reason I ask is to clear up a discussion I'm having with a friend that is convinced there are regulations pertaining to this and has cited some really strange rules. Such as, the can only be hunted once every so many years and other odd ball things. He got all of his info second hand and was asking me about it and I have no idea, so I thought I'd ask the forums. I suppose though, our local rivers would be catfish creek and the lower Thames.

Thanks for the info so far guys, I really appreciate it.

[Brett_68]

Catfish creek is a navigable river, I'm quite sure you would be alright to hunt ducks from a canoe in the river...If you plan to float it I would do your homework and check google maps for areas where you would be to close to a house to shoot safely.

I would call the Aylmer MNR Office and ask that question to get the answer your looking for....i doubt there are any special regs regarding not being able to hunt it certain years, but i could also be dead wrong

[bowj]

there is no rules about hunting certain years etc. there are no specific rules about rivers vs ponds or anything except the navigable waters act mentioned above.

IMO if the river is not very wide you should get permission from adjacent landowners, because it is inevitable that birds will fall on shore at some point. or you might need to hop on shore to get dry if you fall in etc. it is also good PR.

not to mention they can shed light on any outbuildings or houses or activities happening nearby that you gotta worry about.
I know rivers like the st Lawrence are massive and you wont have to access any land if you hunt right, but I have hunted the thames and chose to get permission since the shore is really quite close.

rivers can be real fun after all the ponds freeze up.

just my thoughts.

[Snowwalker]

Honestly, the reason I ask is to clear up a discussion I'm having with a friend that is convinced there are regulations pertaining to this and has cited some really strange rules. Such as, the can only be hunted once every so many years and other odd ball things. He got all of his info second hand and was asking me about it and I have no idea, so I thought I'd ask the forums. I suppose though, our local rivers would be catfish creek and the lower Thames.
Thanks for the info so far guys, I really appreciate it.

Cat fish creek has houses along it so do some scouting with Google Earth, and you will find all the places not built since the last update. The images are updated from time to time. So a house built after the last pass would not be in the image.

Lower Thames flows along some Reservations. Find where they are, and stay the heck off them when hunting.

[Waftrudnir]

...

IMO if the river is not very wide you should get permission from adjacent landowners, because it is inevitable that birds will fall on shore at some point. or you might need to hop on shore to get dry if you fall in etc. it is also good PR.

not to mention they can shed light on any outbuildings or houses or activities happening nearby that you gotta worry about.
...

exactly!
river hunting in populated areas includes all too often "hunting" the shore.
and shooting at low flying ducks may pose a serious risk to anyone close by, who are often hard to spot from the canoe if the water levels are low and the shore is high.

[FisherHunter86]

Looking to try and hunt the Thames river this fall, anyone here hunt it around London - Komoka ?

[fishhawk]

I use to hunt the Thames in that area, was great hunting at one time but lots of new subdivisions have gone up and I don't want to risk it anymore. Lots of people walking dogs etc around there now, just not worth someone hearing shots and calling the cops and then having to explain yourself.