- Crop damage, Vehicle collisions, Abatement and mitigation expenses
- Intensive foraging in natural areas that affects forest regeneration, species at risk and other biodiversity objectives
- Public safety risks from vehicle collisions, Potential health concerns associated with deer diseases, Damage to gardens and landscape vegetation in the urban environment |
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In recent years, Ontario’s deer densities have increased into the “problem” ranges referred to above. Many agricultural regions in southern Ontario have between 4-10 deer/km2 of deer habitat, while shield units south of Lake Nipissing have densities between 1-5 deer/km2. Densities over 25-30 deer/km2 have been experienced in some provincial parks (e.g., Pinery and Rondeau Provincial Parks). A density of >100 deer/km2 has been noted at the Sifton Bog in London, Ontario. |
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The increasing abundance of deer in recent years is a concern to agricultural producers in Ontario. A report submitted by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) estimated that wildlife damage amounted to $41 million in 1998, and the annual cost of abating wildlife damage was $7.5 million and growing (OSCIA, 2000). Economic losses cannot be recovered from the provincial crop insurance program because the system is geared towards providing relief from heavy or catastrophic loss in a single year rather than the regular, annual loss of a portion of the crop. As a result, crop damage by deer is a direct loss to the earnings of agricultural producers. |
Damage to natural environments has occurred at several locations in Ontario over the past 20 years, for example in provincial and national parks at Pinery, Rondeau and Point Pelee. |
The greatest threat that deer pose to human health is the risk of injury or death from vehicle collisions. Another problem associated with high deer densities is the potential for a deer population to contract and spread a transmittable disease. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), Lyme disease, and tuberculosis are recent examples of diseases that have caused human health concerns in Canada and the United States. |
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you become aware of a fish or wildlife related infraction, please report
it. Call the Natural Resources TIPS Reporting Line at 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667). |
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Legal hunting does not endanger wildlife populations. Hunting is an important activity for people around the world. For many it is still an important MNR Hunting in Ontario, http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/FW/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_168421.html
Believe
it or not, diseases and parasites are a natural part of a healthy
ecosystem, For the most part, wildlife diseases are left to circulate
without human intervention,
MNR Wildlife Health http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/FW/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_168423.html
Wildlife
Research and Development, MNR wildlife research projects
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Wildlife/index.html
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/Wildlife/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_164332.html
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/FW/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_168748.html |
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Province of Ontario supports traditional uses in new Signature Site Amendment to regulation protects hunting and fishing in Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) supports the regulatory change to the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act that fulfills the province’s previous commitment to allow for traditional uses, including hunting and fishing, in the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site. The Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park Act, 2003 and a unique Park Charter signed by four major groups, including the Ontario government, the Partnership for Public Lands and the O.F.A.H. were created to provide upper level direction for developing the management plan for the 36,000 hectare Signature Site."The government should be congratulated for recognizing the unique nature of the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site, maintaining longstanding cultural traditions and heritage activities like hunting and fishing and the economic benefits these activities bring to local communities," said Mike Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director. "To her credit, the Minister of Natural Resources recognized that an error was made, and through the proposed regulation change, she will strike the right balance between addressing the need to protect traditional uses without sacrificing protection of the local ecosystem. "The revised park management plan protects the hunting and fishing traditions of the area, allows for the continuation of existing tourist and hunt camps within the Signature Site boundaries, limited use of motorboats on some lakes and provides for ATV use by cottagers and hunters under a permitting system which was originally proposed by the O.F.A.H. earlier this year. The Park Act and Charter signed in 2003 contained guarantees that would preserve traditional uses in the area, but the Draft Park Management Plan did not reflect this commitment and mistakenly removed many existing hunting and access rights. The changes in the new EBR posting corrects the error and restores hunting and fishing as previously agreed by all parties to the Charter."The O.F.A.H. has worked tirelessly to protect the rights of our members and others in the outdoor community who have hunted and fished in the area for generations, the needs of private landowners, cottagers and businesses already operating in the area. The restoration of these traditional activities will be environmentally neutral, as will any anticipated social consequences, but the earlier start to the bear season and spring wild turkey season will provide local operators with additional revenue generation opportunities and bring both direct and indirect economic benefits related to hunters using hotels, buying meals and related supplies, " said Reader. The EBR posting on the proposed changes to the hunting regulations in the park will remain open for public comment until December 8, 2008 at www.ebr.gov.on.ca, posting #010-4911. Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park Background: * The Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park Act, 2003, and the Park Charter were the result of extensive consultations with major stakeholders in the outdoors and environmental community, including the O.F.A.H. * The unique nature of the Signature Site required the creation of a Park Charter, which explicitly provided for the continuation of traditional activities. * A mistake in regulating the park similar to other parks in the province removed protection for these activities, which violated the spirit and letter of the Charter and prohibited hunting and ATV use in the park. * The O.F.A.H. insisted that the government live up to the provisions in the Charter and restore the right to hunt and fish as has taken place in the area for countless generations. * The use of ATV’s by hunters will be allowed under a monitoring and permit system proposed by the O.F.A.H. * Hunting will be permitted from the first day of the open season or September 1, whichever comes first, to the last day of the open season or the Thursday immediately preceding the Victoria Day weekend, whichever comes first. * Opportunities to hunt bear for an additional two weeks, to hunt fur-bearing mammals (excluding wolves and coyotes) and to hunt wild turkey are restored under the regulation. * All other provisions of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act continue to apply. With 83,000 members and 655 member clubs, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is the leading fishing, hunting and conservation organization in Ontario.
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The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) is speaking out in rebuttal to a recent release by a group that misleads the public about the intent of the proposed changes to the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park regulations. "Ontarians deserve the truth regarding the proposed regulations changes to the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park," says Dr. Terry Quinney, O.F.A.H. Provincial Manager of Fish and Wildlife Services. The O.F.A.H. is stepping forward to correct several misleading statements contained in the November 3, 2008 release by the Wildlands League. "In fact, the Ministry of Natural Resources proposal does nothing more than restore the integrity of the Kawartha Charter, for which Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield deserves congratulations," Quinney adds. Contrary to the November 3, 2008 release, the restoration of traditional hunting activities is not a "veiled attempt" to get more ATV use in the park because their use will be highly regulated, including the following stipulations: * ATV use by Ministry of Natural Resources (M.N.R.) Permit only * ATV access on existing M.N.R. approved road and trail system only * ATV access restricted to areas for hunting, private property and tenured land only The M.N.R. proposal does not permit any hunting whatsoever, from preceding the Victoria Day weekend in May, until September 1, and no new species can be hunted, compared to a few years ago, except wild turkeys for about four weeks. So, the M.N.R. proposal, consistent with the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park Act, re-establishes that which was already highly regulated by the M.N.R. under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act for Wildlife Management Unit (W.M.U.) 60, within which the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Park lies. "In truth, hunters (and cottagers, campers, boaters, etc.) asked the Ontario government not to evict us from the public lands that we’ve shared with others sustainably and safely for many generations. In the proposal for Kawartha Highlands, Minister Cansfield, on behalf of the Ontario government has demonstrated respect for all those who would wisely use and conserve our natural environment," says Quinney.With 83,000 members and 655 member clubs, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is the leading fishing, hunting and conservation organization in Ontario. For more information visit www.ofah.org.
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We all share responsibility for preventing and handling human-wildlife conflicts, Coyotes find their way to residential areas where they may tear open garbage, cause concern for residents and even come into conflict with pets. http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/FW/2ColumnSubPage/STDPROD_088705.html Homeowners can take steps to avoid attracting coyotes to their property, keep their pets and livestock safe, and reduce the potential for coyote encounters. For more information on this, see Coyotes in the Community http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/FW/2ColumnSubPage/271326.html
Under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, landowners are responsible for managing problem coyotes on their property. Those actions can include harassing, capturing and releasing the animal in close proximity to the capture site or killing it. Landowners may also use agents authorized under the Act or by the ministry to undertake these measures on their behalf. WMU Maps, http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/FW/2ColumnSubPage/256933.html Anyone who kills a coyote in protection of property, Area's in Wildlife Management Units 1-42, 46-50 and 53-58 http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/FW/1ColumnSubPage/289205.html must immediately report it to their local ministry office http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/ContactUs/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_179002.html
Adobe Acrobat Reader Document WMU - Wildlife Management Unit 60 - ( 2.14 MB ) .PDF - MAP http://longlakelodge.ca/mnr_wmu60_pdf.pdf Landowners should also check with their municipality regarding firearm discharge bylaws in their area. Bounties & financial incentives to hunt and trap have been illegal in Ontario since 1972. To learn more about coyotes, including how to deal with coyote problems, call the Ministry of Natural Resources office (http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/ContactUs/2ColumnSubPage/STEL02_179002.html) that serves your area. If the coyote poses an immediate threat or danger to public safety, call 911.
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