Ontario Whitetailed Deer Hunting

Whitetails can be found from the north of Ontario's Great Lakes all the way to its southern tip. It's the main large game there. Population is said to be between 300,000 and 350,000. Deer hunt seasons in Ontario are noted for being the longest for big games. Open season for hunting deer in certain areas starts in the middle of September and lasts until late December.

Whitetail Deer Hunting Fun

There are several forms of deer hunting. Rifles, bows, shotguns and muzzleloaders can be used to do it. People can still-hunt, drive, sit on tree stands or stumps, stalk or listen for baying hounds singing. Shirt sleeves can be worn for hunting in October, whether it's snowing or not. Non-residents can also hunt during other seasons that are open.

Biology says that the farther away in the north a species resides, the bigger the body mass needed for surviving the long, cold months. This explains why the whitetails in Ontario sport massive frames.

An archery hunter has a choice of recurves, crossbows, longbows or compounds. For deer hunts, the draw weight of compounds, longbows and recurves must be 18kg (40lbs) and over upon measuring at 700mm (28 inches) or less of draw length. Crossbows should have draw weights of 45kg (100lbs) or more at draw lengths greater than or equal to 300mm (12 inches). Basic specifications likewise apply to bolts and broadheads utilized during deer hunts.

The shotgun hunter usually turns to rifled sabots or slugs. Scopes are becoming increasingly popular as they make such firearms more effective. Other hunters rely on buckshots as well under certain conditions like drives in black spruce, dense cedar swamps or tag alder where the shots are restricted to 18m (20 yards) or less. The smallest of the bunch for hunting deer are the SG (known as the number one buckshot) and twenty-gauge shotguns.

You can use muzzleloading firearms while shotgun hunting and in Wildlife Management Units (WMU) where there are seasons that are considered muzzleloaders-and-bows-only. A few southern Ontario WMUs offer muzzleloader-only periods in December.

There are more selections for rifle hunters. They can use lever-action rifles. The fast-handle guns work great for spruce stands, tight rock ridges and cedar swamps. You normally shoot short-range and follow with rapid shots under dense cover, which is why most hunters rely on semi-automatics and pump actions in wooded areas. Long-range, flat-shot bolt actions are ideal for grassy fields, power-lined, woody open areas and farm country.

It all boils down to using firearms you're accustomed to. They have to be accurate and powerful. Many suggest using rifles and cartridges that feature a muzzle energy minimum of 1,000 foot pounds for obtaining humane, clean harvests. For whitetails, acceptable rounds include .284, .257, .243, .270, and most .30 calibers. Rimfire rifles are a no-no for Ontario deer hunts.

Hunting strategies for Ontario whitetailed deer aren't that different. Productive tree stands display signs of clustered deer activity like bedding, rutting, and feeding or trail areas. Tree stands are bow hunters' favored spots, but some sit on stumps too, especially in the province's central portion. You can set up near feeding areas or along beaten travel or trail routes. Quietly wait for hunters, dogs or local activity to drive whitetails where you are.

Certain WMUs permit deer hunting while accompanied by hounds. Deer with a headstart can outrun and escape their chasers. Dogs for hunting deer in Ontario must have the necessary licenses to proceed.

In the south where there are shotguns-only locations , driving deer represents the most practiced and effective method for resident hunting. Here, the hunting party is split in two – drivers and standers. Drivers try pushing deer to come out from hiding under creek bottoms or hardwood bushes while standers block off the travel paths.

See that the wind doesn't carry your scent to avoid tipping off deer of your presence. Have the standers assume their positions as carefully and as noiselessly as possible. Secure the landowner's okay whenever hunting deer on private properties. It's also equally important to consider the homeowners and other occupants sharing the rural land.

In still-hunting, hunters move slowly and cautiously through bushes so whitetails are caught by surprise. Stalking has to do with spotting animals and approaching them stealthily within shooting distance. These two are rarely practiced in Ontario. Occasionally they're effective, given the right weather and terrain. Still-hunt if it's raining or there's soft, fresh snow covering the woods.

Ontario hunters are now appreciating antler rattling and calling to draw deer out in the open. Lures and scents are likewise being used more frequently, particularly by the bow hunters. When it's open gun season for moose and deer, hunters are required to wear hunter orange. During the season reserved for bow hunting, archers are allowed to don camouflage.

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