REGULATIONS AND POLICIES
The Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area is legislated provincially in the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
Below is a general overview of the rules and regulations for Hullett. If you have concerns or questions please contact the Friends at (519) 482-7011.
Hunting is permitted at Hullett daily during open hunting seasons. All provincial and federal hunting regulations are in effect. These regulations are contained in the latest issue of the Hunting Regulation Summary which is available online or at any office of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and from license issuers. In addition, there are several regulations and restrictions that apply specifically to Hullett.
Zone A and Zone B Regulations and restrictions outlined as follows:
Zone A Hunting Regulations
Zone A is a waterfowl only unit consisting of 1020 ha (2520 ac.) of land of which 680 ha (1680 ac.) are flooded with shallow standing water. The average water depth within the five compartments is approximately 50 cm (20 in.)
Within Zone A there are 50 Hunting Stations available. In order to hunt from one of these stations the following restricitions apply:
To hunt in Zone A on the opening Saturday of the regular Waterfowl season (not early Goose season when scheduled) hunters are required to participate in a draw conducted by the FoH and OMNR. The intent of the draw is to ensure an equitable allocation of hunting opportunities and encourage a safe hunt for everybody. The draw will take place on Friday at noon(the day before opening day). To participate in the draw, waterfowl hunters must adhere to the following:
When a draw is in effect, hunters must register at the Main Parking lot for each day's hunt.
Registration begins at 10am Friday morning.
The Draw takes place at 12 o'clock noon.
The Procedure of the Draw is to determine the order of choice for hunting stakes, not the stake itself. The first fifty (50) motor vehicles will qualify for the draw (UNOCCUPIED VEHICLES will not be eligible). In the event that all fifty (50) stakes are not taken in the draw, the remaining stakes will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Although two (2) people may occupy a hunting stake, only one (1) draw per vehicle will be permitted.
Upon registration, hunters will receive a Hunter Validation/ Harvest Card (HV/HC), at which time hunters are required to deposit a piece of identification with the parking lot operator. The HV/HC MUST be displayed in a manner so that it can be easily seen preferably on the dash of the vehicle. At the conclusion of the hunt, the hunter will return the HV/HC to the parking lot operator and retrieve their identification.
Bag checks and hunter success information will be requested upon your return.
To provide a fair and equal opportunity to all hunters AFTER THE OPENING DAY of waterfowl season, hunters arriving before 5:00 a.m. MUST:
- line up in the Main Parking Lot on a first come, first serve basis at one of the numbered parking barriers that corresponds to one of fifty (50) hunting stakes.
- At 5:00 am hunters must proceed to the parking lot corresponding with the stake number they have selected to claim their hunting stakes.
In addition to these restrictions the following regulations apply throughout the waterfowl season in Zone A.
- You may hunt in Zone A only if you park your vehicle in a NUMBERED space in Zone A designated parking lot. The number of your space permits you to hunt at the stake with the same number. Stake locations are shown on the accompanying map. Trailers are not vehicles under this policy.
- A maximum of two (2) persons at one (1) stake and you must remain within a thirty (30) metere radius of your stake.
- Shotguns must be unloaded and encased unless you are at your stake.
- The only legal game are: ducks, geese, coots, rails, gallinultes, snipe and woodcock.
- Portable blinds may be used. No person shall cut any vegetation nor erect and leave a blind of any fashion in Zone A.
- Decoys may be used.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Trail and channel markers are placed to help you find some stakes. The markers and stake numbers will show up in the beam of a flashlight.
We urge all hunters to scout the area ahead of time and take a compass with you. Many stakes will be almost impossible to find in the dark unless you know the area well.
Stakes numbered 1-50 are permanent locations. Wading in unfamiliar waters can be exteremely dangerous. Chest waders will be required in most cases. Keep in mind that OPEN water usually means DEEP water, especially near dykes.
Skybusting shows poor sportsmanship and results in large numbers of crippled birds. Know your shotgun and its limitations.
Hunting waterfowl with lead shot is illegal, as inferred in the Migratory Birds Convention Act.
Due to managemnet practices, water levels may fluctuate and shorelines may change.
Some stakes may be closed during certain periods to restrict hunting activity near waterfowl banding sites.
A retriever or canoe will be necessary at many sites to ensure retrieval of all birds shot.
Walk-in (chest waders): 1,4,5,6,7,8,9,27,28,30,32,34, 46, 48. A canoe is recommended at all other stakes.
Zone B Hunting Regulations
Zone B is comprised of 1080 ha (2670 ac.) of upland habitat, interspersed with 14 man-made wetlands, 130 ha (320 ac) in size. All game for which there is an open season may be hunted with the following exceptions:
- From Sept 1 - Dec 31 all hunters must park in one of 14 designated parking lots (refer to map) and position their vehicle in front of an individual barrier. This parking space permits all hunters in the vehicle to hunt anywhere in Zone B, BUT NOT in Zone A.
- Night hunting for raccoon is prohibited without written consent from the FoH or the OMNR.
Additional Comments
Pheasants are released at intervals through the fall hunting season. Bobwhite Quail may be found on the property. At present, they may NOT be hunted.
Specific Regulations that apply to Hullett
- ALCOHOL is prohibited at all times.
- CAMPING is prohibited unless special permission is received.
- COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS will not be located on the property.
- NO LITTERING! You are responsible for the removal of your own garbage.
- MONOPOLIZATION of the area in not permitted. All persons and/or groups are expected to remove any and all equipment brought into the area.
- MOTORIZED VEHICLES are permitted on serviced roads and parking lots only. Motor boats are NOT allowed, this includes electric motors. Canoes are the only effective means of water transportation.
- No PARKING from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am. Overnight parking will only be allowed in the Main Parking Lot 9 (for opening day draw). Camper trailers will not be permitted.
- Public access or hunting is NOT permitted at any time within the SANCTURARIES. Hunting is not permitted within the vicinity of the maintenance buildings, or on neighbouring private land without the permission of the landowner. During the period of March 1 to September 24 hunting is prohibeted on or near the nature trails.
- No person shall cut or remove VEGETATION.
- DOG TRAINING is permitted in: Zone A prior to May 15 and after August 1 with the appropriate permit from the OMNR. Zone B prior to May 15 and after July 15 with the appropriate permit from the OMNR.
- NOTE: Field trials and training that involve game birds, or non-game birds during the closed season are prohibited except with written authority by the FoH board of directors and the OMNR.
- HORSE ACCESS is permitted thoughout the area Except in Zone A from October 1 to May 1 (for zone A boundaries refer to the map).
- SNOWMOBILES are permitted only on marked snowmobile trails.
- WATER ACCESS (for any purpose) is not permitted from May 15 to August 1, to minimize disturbances to nesting waterfowl.
BOOKINGS FOR GROUP ACTIVITIES can be done by contacting the FoH office at (519) 482-7011.
