Ontario Tradgangers

[Emmons]

I have just been offered a transfer to Brantford Ontario.  I am looking for any Tradgangers that live close.  Looking for information on how the hunting is.  Is there alot of hunting pressure?  How much public land?  Is the private land hard to get permission to hunt?  I am originally from PA and have a cabin in Ontario near Perth, but have only used the cabin for fishing, so I now very little about the hunting up there.  Is 3D popular, are there many courses.  This is one thing I really miss, getting together with the guys and shooting a round.  

I was also in the process of changing my hunting gear to better serve me here, but I will hold off a bit.  Do you guys recommend more on side of cold weather gear (wool) or wet weather gear?

I guess when I get there I will have to change my screen name, bowhunterinchile just would not fit anymore.

James

[Buckhorn47]

Hi! James

Welcome back to Ontario if you decide to take the transfer. I'm not real familiar with Brantford - about 3 hours away from me, a little more familiar with Perth, since it is only an hour and a half away in bass country. Deer all over the place in this part of the world, not a lot of Crown land to hunt on unless you go a little further north in the Province, good farmland in both areas you speak of. Not a lot of traditional shooters in my part of the Province - Central East, but in all probability, clubs in the Brantford area and I know there were some good shoots in the past to the east part of the Province as well. Woodstock hosts a good traditional shoot usually in March - haven't been for awhile but used to be a load of fun.
Frank

[Buckhorn47]

Sorry, James, forgot to respond to the weather issue. This year, wet weather for sure, 75% of the time - a little unusual at this time of year. When hunting seasons roll around, through September and October, can range from t-shirt to jacket weather. Late October into November usually one when hunting here prepares for 32 degree F ( 0 degress C) temperature, sometimes wet, a lot of times snow, likely what you would have had in Pennsylvania. Winters seem to last about 5-6 months any more or could be I'm just plain gettin' too old.

[Buckhorn47]

The name change - don't change it! Just alter it a little "BowhunterinChilly
Frank

[hunt it]

James,

I'm just west of London by a little bit, an hour west of Brantford. Good farm country outside of Brantford with lots of deer and wild turkeys. It should be easy enough if you do some asking to get permission for hunting. Not alot of trd shoots (several per year) but should be easy to find 3d range/course around.

[Emmons]

Thanks guys!!

Couple more questions.  All the big game tags are by drawing correct?  Are the deer tag easy to draw?  What about a moose and bear tags?  In Ontario is it legal to bait bear or no?  I will be making a trip up there in a couple of weeks to look things over and find a place for my family and I to live.

James

[northern trapper]

The best way to get your answers is on the ministry of natural website you can download all the hunting regulations.http://www.mnr.gov.ca/
This should answer all your question.

[Buckhorn47]

James,
The most notable change that has occurred here in the big game area is that the Spring bear hunt no longer exists - baiting legal, however and a longer Fall season - no draw. Draws take place for moose ( Cow, Bull and in some areas now even Calf ) deer, usually for an antlerless permit but pretty liberal in most areas. Like Northern Trapper suggests, check those regulations as there are restrictions to non-residents as well, like having to use a guide for moose hunting, and some areas closed to non-resident hunting for specific species, etc.

[Foxtail]

Hi James,
Welcome to Brantford! Lived here all my life. Great small-to-medium sized community, with plenty of rural farm area surrounding it. Best part is the Grand River which winds through the city. This means plenty of whitetails. Not much public land, but not a problem, as many farmers are willing to let you hunt on their property- the deer are a problem for many. And, wild turkeys are quite common as well.From here, it is only a couple hours up to the Muskoka area, where there is lots of public land and moose opportunity. Just came back myself last evening from 5 days up at Algonquin in the canoe. Tremendous provincial park, if you are into the hiking and canoeing.
The area between Brantford and lake Erie is less developed, and there are some really nice wooded areas there. Unfortunately, no archery clubs that I have ever heard of, although there is a good community in Kitchener, which has the best archery shop in the area, and is less than an hour north of here. I have heard rumors of a group of traditional archers on the Six Nations reserve, but I have not found a contact number yet.
By the way, I remember your handle, I believe. You shoot [or had done so] a Border bow, correct? I'm a great fan of my Borders!

Any advice or help that you need in your move, please feel free to contact me personally- [email protected].
Rob

[nel]

james

I'm a coupla hours west of Brantford, (near Sarnia).

Wool is good...for a lot of different temperatures, and great for later in the fall around southwestern Ontario.

Lotsa deer, lotsa turkey, and you don't need a guide to hunt moose or bear when you head up north...how good is that?

[Emmons]

Well Ontario Tradgangers, it is offical I will be invading your area in about three weeks.  Just returned from a ten day trip up there.  Purchased a house, now I just have to pack everything up and move the family.  I don't think I will be doing anyy hunting this fall, but look out next spring.  Stump, deer, bear, turkey, and moose are no longer safe.    

James

[HARL]

Let me know if I can help in any way !!

[kevgsp]

Welcome.
I'm 20 mins from brantford.  Brand new to trad archery, killed my first longbow deer 2 weeks ago. Good hunting for deer, turkey, coyote, geese in the area. 3month archery season for whitetails, tags are no problem, some area's you are allowed multiple.  Not much public land...have to get in good with the farmers.

[Emmons]

I have made it!!  I am now living here in Brantford.  I have not unpacked my bows yet, asmy shoulder has flaired up again.  Need to give it a little time.  But anyone wantingto get together or just talk, I would really like to start making some contacts.

James

[HARL]

I would get in touch but I'm heading out to Calgary to work for a few months.I'll get in touch when I get home.