US turkey hunters in Southern Ontario

bobby jost · Post by **bobby jost** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:49 pm

In our provincial governments infinite wisdom, are they not capable of providing our US neighbours a sensible method of turkey hunting in southern Ontario? It is pedestrian to expect a US hunter to travel cross border and write the course... Certainly a premium could apply, perhaps $75.00 US per tag and a questionairre to filter their knowledge. Upon passing the examination a card is issued and bingo!

All US hunters would have to hunt by invitation on private land or a guide service. I believe it would generate a nice sum of money for the MNR and local/regional business's. The threat of harvesting too many birds is unlikely, especially with a season running 4 weeks or... limit US hunters to a 2 week season.

A good way to promote the success of the MNR/Civilian regeneration program.

Curious to hear the forums opinion.

BJ

rutman · Post by **rutman** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:01 pm

I have a friend from Texas who has property here and he can't even get the time off when they run the courses. He would love to hunt turks here when mid may finally comes along and he can get here. Too Bad!

chessy · Post by **chessy** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 3:06 pm

what is really sad... is guys like matt vancice and other champion hunters and guys that have had 30 years experiecne cant get to hunt in ontario.... but that is the ofah the turkey course is a joke any way

bait pile willie · Post by **bait pile willie** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 7:35 pm

CHESSY.please explain what part of the turkey course is a joke? I found it it very informative and a fun day.whats wrong with leaning about hunter safety,there are more accidental shootings of hunters in turkey season than deer season in the usa.we learnt proper setup and calling techniques from the course.Isnt it odd that the one incident in ont envolved crossbow hunters that were trying to stalk a turkey,I guess they were joking around at the course when hunting setups were discussed.as far as americans having to take the turkey course in ont,isnt it ths same as us having to take bowhunter coures in certain states in order to get a bow liscense.

Brampton Mike · Post by **Brampton Mike** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:44 am

What a load of crap..I know lots of guys form teh US that hunt turkeys here in Ontario...go check the course dates, they have one right around opener just for that reason. Furthermore, why should they be exempt from our rules and regulations!

chessy · Post by **chessy** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 7:39 am

bait pile willie

the course is a joke.... what course did you take to hunt deer bear moose ducks. rabbits the list goes on and on ... and as far a bow hunter course goes just wait that is comming to ... it will be here within 2 years and ever one will have to take it even people that have been hunting for years.... and wait indavidual species will come as well... one for deer one for moose ect ect...... and who gets the money ... ofah... it is about time it comes to a end...... the couse was 25 bucks. 8 years ago now it is 35 bucks... with the amount of stuff they sell at the course it should be FREE . it is not right that certain companys get first crack at the new hunters...... i know for a FACT that there was a certain crossbow company that was being asked it they would give a crossbow to each hunting instructor for class demo... and other companys got upset...
it is WRONG the course is a joke . has it been that long since you took it the turkey course , the test was stupid... it could have been taught in a hour exept for all the ofah and quacker boy breaks to promote all there stuff..... it makes my blood boil

TPM · Post by **TPM** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:04 am

the course is a joke.... what course did you take to hunt deer bear moose ducks. rabbits the list goes on and on ...

The Ontario Hunter Safety course.

as far a bow hunter course goes just wait that is comming to ... it will be here within 2 years and ever one will have to take it even people that have been hunting for years....

Do you know something the rest of us don't? Can't say I've heard of any plans for that yet.

I must say that I rather enjoyed the course. Very informative. I think there are some special safety considorations that you have to take while turkey hunting. I'm glad I took it and I must say negative comments like yours have been rare in my hunting circles. Haven't met any one yet who didn't learn something from it.

A.W · Post by **A.W** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:15 am

I also enjoyed the turkey course although it could have been a couple of hours shorter.

I did the course at the Sportsmen show and the cost included entry to the show afterwards. I had never hunted turkeys or knew anything about them.

The cost was worth the cost and the entertainment but like I said it could have been shorter.

bobby jost · Post by **bobby jost** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:12 am

TPM,

Thank you for the upbeat response.

It is encouraging when optimism and pro-active commentary reaches the Excalibur forum. The intention of my "post" regarding (Americans) turkey hunting is to bring ideas to the forefront and submit these suggestions to the MNR/ministers office. Imagine influencing them (gov't) to consider your idea, isn't that what democracy is all about?

Positive dialogue and creative thinking is a powerful resource and can make a difference. Let's try to keep our eyes on the ball and post some intelligent, insightful dialogue for the good.

BJ

Adrian J Hare · Post by **Adrian J Hare** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:12 am

chessy wrote:what is really sad... is guys like matt vancice and other champion hunters and guys that have had 30 years experiecne cant get to hunt in ontario.... but that is the ofah the turkey course is a joke any way

because he can call, don't mean he can hunt. Mike is right the Americans can do it the same as the next guy and thats why they hold the course a couple times into the season.
Some of the US states are the same like KA...

Shakky · Post by **Shakky** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:12 am

I don't see the point in having the course at all. When I started deer hunting I read everything I could get my hands on and I learned from that and from talking to other hunters. Now one can go on the net, buy dvds etc. I don't know if money is still being spent on reintroducing them into Ontario. If it is I don't see the point in that either. There seems to be enough of them around and they are even expanding there range.

Why not have a course on moose hunting. They could teach calling, the difference between a cow and a calf etc. Where does it stop.

VixChix · Post by **VixChix** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:11 am

My experiece with the turkey course here was also excellent. It was a bit long, but it was full and informative - lots to learn and it was fun being in the same room with so many like-minded people. Also, I support OFAH and don't mind the "commercials".

When I took my first Hunter Ed course I lived out west and was in Jr. High School. It was part of a semester-long school ciriculum course which included a weekend survival camping trip in -20 weather. (Wouldn't it be great if a course like that could be offered in schools here in Ontario?)

The second time I took it was 6 yrs ago here in Ontario. My experience with the way the course was taught here in Ontario was very good. What FRIGHTENED me was that there were gentlemen in the course who had hunted previously & currently owned guns. They had a know-it-all attitude, disrupted the class and gave the instructor a hard time about "having" to take the course. These weren't young upstarts - they were men in their 50's. The frightening part was watching these guys handle firearms in the practical part of the course. I don't think that they passed. They were cocky & dangerous. I would never hunt with guys like that - I wouldn't even want to be in the same WMU.

That experience gave me a new appreciation for our mandatory courses and I, for one, am very glad that people aren't just handed their licences carte blanche.

In fact, based on some of the things I've seen in the woods, they still let too many incompetents carry guns & hunt.

rutman · Post by **rutman** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:39 am

I think it is ridiculous to ask people that have been hunting big game like moose, elk, caribou, bear and deer to take another safety course. Gee golly when hunting turkeys don't wear red, white, blue and for god sakes don't use a gobble call. Maybe these people would go gun hunting for deer with a deerhide jacket on. It just seems kind of lame to me but it does help to deter the less avid hunters, which works for me.

VixChix · Post by **VixChix** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:43 am

rutman wrote:I think it is ridiculous to ask people that have been hunting big game like moose, elk, caribou, bear and deer to take another safety course. Gee golly when hunting turkeys don't wear red, white, blue and for god sakes don't use a gobble call. Maybe these people would go gun hunting for deer with a deerhide jacket on. It just seems kind of lame to me but it does help to deter the less avid hunters, which works for me.

Common sense isn't common. There are people who don't make an effort to learn much before they go - they don't read the books, surf the net, talk to others, watch DVDs... They figure that it can't be that difficult - (don't you just lean against a fence post and shoot the biggest one?

) I will gladly take the course even if just to make sure that these kinds of people are required to take it too.

rutman · Post by **rutman** » Fri Apr 13, 2007 10:51 am

I do agree, I guess living in the rural area that I do I don't see many people that weren't weened of the soother by replacing it with a gun.