Nov 01, 2009
SOURCE: The Sudbury Star
Here we are nearing the last few weeks of moose season and the firearm deer season in many Wildlife Management Units (WMU) is soon to open.
No question, the actual hunter hours this season will be way down, reflecting in the poorer than usual moose harvest from what I'm hearing from many hunters across the North. I can only hope the weather is better for the deer season, but let's face it, much of our fall activities outside have been really awash thus far.
Don't lose heart, but rather get out and enjoy the rest of the season when you can is my advice.
Grouse populations are also a tough go this year, but on the few sunny and nice days we've had, I've been finding them on the ridge tops in juniper bushes. During the wet weather, they'll be deep in the thickest areas they can find, hunkered down under a balsam fir or thick black spruce tree trying to keep dry.
This may be a good year to try some waterfowl hunting. I've been doing relatively well, and many of the migrant northern birds are already using many of our swamps.
It's surprising what one will see during an early morning swamp-land visit, especially if the marsh is fairly large. When I sit motionless with Lupe, my black lab, we often see much wildlife of interest in addition to the ducks and geese. We've seen deer, moose, mink, muskrats, bears, beaver, otter, fox, coyote, wolf -- you name it, and we've likely seen it. Much wildlife use swamps as both cover and food, as well as relatively easy travel routes through the bush and thick terrain of our North.
The best swamps for ducks, I've found, are those that have wild rice or with overhanging oak trees that drop acorns into the water around the periphery. Additionally, marshes with a good amount of swamp alders with red berries, which much wildlife will be consuming now, are attractive. Many of our northern hinterland species will also be devouring the low bush cranberries if they can find them. I've even seen a few of the highbush cranberries, which are a shrub-like tree with bright red small berries. These are also eaten by both birds and animals.
Most times when we drive by swamps near a highway, we're travelling way to fast to really see much. It's when you get hunkered down and sit motionless and making no noise that the wild land setting can come alive for you. By trying this type of hunting, you may just increase your knowledge and appreciation of more of our local wildlife and the actual marshland, too. As an added bonus, you may even find some great moose and deer habitat, as well.
NEED TO KNOW
* Waterfowl hunters can wear regular non-orange camo when hunting waterfowl, but remember you must shoot steel or non-toxic shot for migratory bird hunting. Because of the many moose and deer hunters that are in the bush, it would be wise for a waterfowl hunter to wear flourescent orange while travelling to and from their intended marsh. A hunter who has shot any migratory bird must do everything practical to retrieve the downed bird.
* The fine folks at The Ontario Outdoor Recreational Alliance (OntORA) recently sent me an e-mail explaining there is an upcoming vote in parliament regarding the potential scrapping of the long gun registry in early November. I urge you to call your member of parliament (MP) and be sure he or she knows how you wish him to vote on this.
* Local water in our lakes and rivers is potentially hyperthermia cold. Be cautious around water when either fishing, hunting or any activity near water.
* How is your fall hunting season going this year? Please e-mail me and let me know.
