Ontario’s spring turkey hunt is around the corner

OFAH FILE: 842
April 15, 2014

Ontario’s spring turkey hunt is around the corner
Sustainable wild turkey populations lead to expanded hunting opportunities

Nothing says springtime like the sound of a distant gobble in the turkey woods. The spring turkey hunting season starts Friday, April 25 and runs to Saturday, May 31 and this season offers more opportunities for Ontario hunters than ever before.

Sustainable wild turkey populations in Ontario have allowed for additional spring and fall hunting opportunities in 2014. For the first time, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has introduced new spring turkey hunting seasons in Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) 42 (Sudbury district) and WMUs 47, 49 and 50 (North Bay and Parry Sound districts). A new fall hunting season will take place in WMU 59 (Pembroke district).

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), along with other advocates, began working with the MNR more than 25 years ago to restore wild turkeys in the province.

“The reintroduction of the eastern wild turkey to Ontario is one of the province’s most successful wildlife recovery stories,” OFAH biologist Dawn Sucee says. “With more than 70,000 birds estimated in Ontario, populations seem to have stabilized in many areas. In other areas of the province, the range continues to expand naturally.”

This is great news for Ontario turkey hunters who may not have had a turkey hunting season in their WMU previously, or for those who are interested in travelling to new hunting grounds. These additional turkey hunting opportunities were established in part using information submitted by Ontario hunters. Mandatory turkey harvest reporting enables MNR biologists to analyze populations and make recommendations on management. Successful turkey hunters must report their harvested bird by no later than noon the day after it was harvested.

A Hunter’s Guide:

• Where can I get my licence?
• What are the rules?
• How do I become a turkey hunter?
• How do I enter the OFAH wild turkey registry?

OFAH continues to participate in wild turkey management in Ontario and is pleased to see this wildlife success story provide new hunting opportunities in 2014.

With more than 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 720 member clubs, the OFAH is the province’s largest nonprofit, fish and wildlife conservation-based organization and the VOICE of anglers and hunters. For more information, visit www.ofah.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@ofah).

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