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Safety tips for cottagers during hunting season in Ontario

man wearing hunter orange vest in the woods Photo by rustycanuck/Shutterstock

Ontario Provincial Police are reminding cottagers and residents in areas such as Bancroft that hunting season is underway in parts of Ontario. Cottagers, if you’re planning to take part in outdoor activities, such as hiking in rural or wooded areas that are located on public land, then you’ll want to be vigilant and take precautions to avoid any accidents. Here’s what OPP and the Nature Conservancy of Canada suggest.

You’ll likely see or hear people hunting, but the OPP say residents should not be alarmed because they are legally permitted to do so. Of note, rifle hunting for deer began on November 6 and runs until November 19. However, the hunting season for small game including grouse and hare, has been going on since September. You can find a full list of dates for hunting seasons in different Wildlife Management Units, here

If you participate in recreational activities such as ATVing, then you’ll want to know that some Ontario Federation of ATV Clubs (OFATV) close certain trails during the fall hunt to increase safety. Before heading out, check the trail map to see what’s open and closed.