Proposal to open fall wild turkey hunting seasons in Wildlife Management Units 72 and 95 beginning in 2020

Ontario’s wild turkey population is healthy and abundant.

Beginning with efforts in the mid-1980s, Ontario has created a very successful wild turkey management program that has resulted in a rapid expansion of the number and range of the birds.

Hunting for wild turkeys in Ontario was initiated in two Wildlife Management Units (WMU's) in 1987. Since then, the hunts have expanded to include new WMU's as turkey populations have increased their range and numbers.

The goal of the Wild Turkey Management Plan for Ontario (2007) is to ensure sustainable management of turkeys as important components of the biodiversity of southern Ontario, and for the continued social, cultural and economic benefit of the people of Ontario.

Based on criteria outlined in Ontario’s Wild Turkey Management Plan, turkey populations in WMU's 72 (Northumberland County) and 95 (Pelee Island) are robust and can support a fall turkey season. We are proposing to open annual fall wild turkey hunting in WMU's 72 and 95 beginning in 2020. These open seasons include bow hunting from October 1-31, and a shotgun and muzzle-loading shotgun season from the Tuesday after Thanksgiving Monday to the second following Sunday.

Regulatory impact statement

The anticipated environmental consequences of this proposal are neutral. Ontario’s turkey population is healthy and fluctuating naturally. The population continues to expand its range in some areas. Conservative fall turkey seasons in areas with robust turkey populations pose little threat to sustainability and will be monitored closely and closed or otherwise modified in areas as necessary. Fall turkey seasons may also help to mitigate some specific concerns regarding conflict situations.

The anticipated social consequences are positive. The opening of fall turkey seasons in new WMU's will provide additional sustainable turkey hunting opportunities.

The anticipated economic consequences of this proposal are positive. The opening of new WMU's to fall turkey hunting provides additional opportunities for hunters and offers some potential to mitigate some specific local human-turkey conflicts.