WATERFOWL
Ontario has been a waterfowler’s hotspot in North America for more than a decade. Whether you hunt for duck or goose, from boat or shore, Ontario offers such a wide range of waterfowling experiences that a lifetime spent hunting is barely enough to sample it all.
Goose hunters will find an abundance of Canada and Brant geese searching for food across the tidal flats, or preparing for the long migration south along James Bay and Hudson Bay. In Southern Ontario, hunters mostly seek out two subspecies: the maximas, or resident Canada geese, who reach 15 lbs (6.8 kg), and the interiors, the migrant Canada geese, that weigh up to 12 lbs (5.4 kg).
Duck hunters will find goldeneye and pintail in the north. Heading south, take your pick of green-winged teal, ringneck, mallards and black duck. In the southernmost corridor, experience thriving populations of redheads, widgeon and canvasbacks, to name only a few.
In either case, hunters can be assured that the harvesting limits for both duck and geese are generous.
To find an outfitter or trip to hunt waterfowl, click here.
What you should know
Waterfowlers have many choices to make, whether seasoned veterans or those who prefer to hunt through a guide or outfitter. For example, which species of waterfowl stokes your appetite for the hunt? Do you prefer harvesting from a boat or in chest waders, in a field or from the marshy banks? What type of shot do you prefer? Either way, all waterfowlers should be aware of the following:
- Waterfowl hunters require a federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp (available at any post office) as well as an Ontario small game license.
- Non-toxic shot is required for all waterfowl hunting in Canada.
- Most field hunting for Canada geese in Southern Ontario occurs on private land; hunters require the permission of the landowner, or may want to look into trips through outfitters who have pre-granted access.
For more information on the licences and regulations necessary to hunt waterfowl in Ontario, click here.
For more information on important dates, open seasons and tag draws, click here.
