Proposal To Simplify and…

Proposal To Simplify and Align Provincial Whitetail Deer Hunting Seasons ERO 019-4637
Stated Summary: “To increase consistency” and “Simplify and Align” deer hunting seasons in some parts of the province.
Proposed Regulation Amendment #2
Permit the Use of bows during the gun season(s) in WMU’s 53B, 69A2, 70, 76A-E, 77A-C, 78A-B, 80, 81A-B, 82C, 85A-C, 86A-B, 87B-E, 89A-B, 90A-B, 93A-B, 94B.

The only problem with this proposal is the exclusion of two WMU’s: 91 and 92

• These WMU’s appear to be the only two excluded in all of Southern Ontario
• There is no reason not to add these WMU’s to this more inclusive change of rules.
• This oversight is totally contrary to the stated purpose of the proposal in creating
consistency, simplifying, and aligning our deer hunting seasons.
• The addition of 91 & 92 will not: (1) Impact deer harvest. (2) Negatively affect hunter
safety or (3) effect deer population density.

I can’t comprehend why these two areas have not been included. I have been an OFAH member for many years and was on the original OFAH Bowhunting committee decades ago. I have been active in many hunting and conservation associations over my 50 plus years as an Ontario hunter. I have recently retired from a 40-year long career in the archery industry and have been lucky enough to hunt across north America and beyond.

In checking with my contacts across the USA and Canada, it is interesting to note that the use of bowhunting equipment during an open gun season, is legal in every state and every other province in Canada. If the proposed legislation is passed in its current form, this option will be available to all of southern Ontario except to my friends in WMU 92 and my location in 91.
So now I can enjoy this option everywhere in North America except on my farm? Is there an anti-bowhunting prejudice specific to the Aylmer district?