‘It’s definitely the largest week of hunting in the year,’ says local expert, who urges caution, not fear: ‘It’s not like they’re just shooting aimlessly into the woods’
If you’re planning to hike in the woods this week in Simcoe County, be cautious.
Local hunters will participate in the annual controlled deer hunt from Monday through Friday this week, a fall tradition that attracts thousands to forests around Orillia.
The Simcoe County Off-Road Riders Association (SCORRA) is reminding everyone to be careful before heading out on the trails. They encourage hikers, cyclists, and dog walkers to keep their distance from hunters and stay visible.
“It might be a good idea to stay out of the woods and let the hunters have the woods,” the group posted on Facebook. “If you do ride, wearing bright colours is highly recommended. If you are hiking, mushroom picking, mountain biking or walking your dog in the Simcoe County forests next week, wearing blaze orange and putting some orange on your dog is a good idea for visibility and safety.”
SCORRA president Brian Dueck mentioned that this reminder is an annual effort aimed at keeping everyone informed and safe while respecting all trail users.
“We remind our community each year of the controlled deer hunt within Simcoe County forests so users can make informed choices, be safe, and in the spirit of sharing the forests with others whose activity has a much more limited timeframe than ours,” he said. “We aren’t aware of any conflicts or issues between our members and hunting activity.”
Dueck stated that SCORRA collaborates closely with the County of Simcoe to ensure everyone can enjoy forest activities safely throughout the year.
“SCORRA manages hundreds of kilometres of multi-use trails within county forests that our members use for off-road motorcycle riding,” said Dueck. “Those trails are used throughout the year by other user groups, and we ask our members to respect that one day when hunters are using them.”
Local firearms dealer Wes Winkel, owner of Ellwood Epps Sporting Goods just north of Orillia, explained that controlled hunts differ from open-season hunting as they occur in more populated areas where tag numbers are strictly managed.
“The controlled hunt tends to be in a more populated area,” he elaborated. “They control exactly how many tags get issued for both male and female. In open hunt districts, anyone who buys a regular deer licence can hunt males but must apply for a female tag separately. But during controlled hunts, you need to apply for both male and female tags.”
Winkel mentioned this week is considered peak time for Ontario’s hunting community.
“It’s definitely the largest week of hunting in the year,” he remarked. “It’s when most hunters mark their calendars.”
He added that preparation involves thorough safety checks long before anyone goes into the bush.
“Hunters take many safety measures-from ensuring their equipment works well to wearing hunter orange-carefully planning their routes while making sure their target and background are safe before firing their weapons,” he said.
If you’re still planning on enjoying those trails this week, Winkel emphasized there’s no reason for fear; just remain aware.
“Hunters are very safe by nature. It’s not like it’s lawless out there. Wearing bright colours is always smart advice; plus don’t try being too quiet,” he suggested.
“They have to determine not only if what they see is a whitetail deer but also whether it’s male or female before deciding to harvest it. It’s not like they’re just shooting aimlessly into the woods,” said Winkel.
The Ellwood Epps store located on Highway 11 North experiences its busiest days leading up to this hunt each year.
“Saturday and Sunday were busier than ever for our shop,” Winkel shared. “Those days consistently rank as our two busiest.”
He noted that provincial and county forests attract most hunters since they provide public access without needing permission from private landowners.
“Ramara is very popular; Severn offers great hunting opportunities; plus north of Coldwater sees plenty of activity,” he pointed out.
Apart from recreation purposes, Winkel has observed increased interest in hunting as a means of self-sufficiency lately.
“For those wanting better control over their food supply, we’re noticing more people interested in harvesting locally,” he stated.
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