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COVID-19 Alert

The GRCA continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation in Ontario. The health, safety and well-being of our staff, volunteers and the community remain our highest priority. Please visit our COVID-19 Update page where you will find the most up-to-date information on impacts to GRCA programs and services.

The GRCA permits hunting on 20 properties. That includes two Grand River Parks, the Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area and 17 miscellaneous properties.

Depending on the property, you can hunt for waterfowl, deer, turkey and small game.

Permits and licences

Hunters must possess a GRCA hunting permit in addition to the appropriate Provincial and/or Federal hunting licence(s) and stamps and/or tags. Check the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary and the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons and limits.

Hunters must also belong to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. Membership in OFAH includes insurance coverage, which is required to hunt in these areas.

Closures

Please note that we reserve the right to close a hunting property with short notice. Please refer to or subscribe to this page for notices of property closure and duration. If you have any questions about this, please contact us at 519-621-2761.

A portion of the Bond Tract will be temporarily closed from January 24 to February 28, 2022 for a groundwater monitoring project. Hunting will not be permitted on the northeast corner of Concession Road 1 and Sideroad 10 South, south of Saw Mill Creek due to potential safety concerns during this time. View a map of the closed area (300 KB PDF). (Please note this map may not be accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability and require this document in an alternate format, please contact us.)
A number of hunting properties in the Amaranth area east of Luther Marsh will have short-term closures of one to five days for forestry work in January and February 2022. Properties that may be impacted include: Nunn, Smith, Boys, Irving and two properties at the north end of Luther Marsh along Wellington 15. While individual properties are closed, other nearby properties included in the miscellaneous hunting permit will remain open for hunting. Signs will be posted at the main entrances of the properties. As information on specific closure dates becomes available it will be posted here:
- CLOSURE: The Smith and Nunn properties will be closed to hunting on January 20 and 21, 2022.
- More information is also available by contacting our Watershed Forester, Ron Wu-Winter at 1-866-900-4722 x2245 or rwuwinter@grandriver.ca.

The Crawford Tract has been removed from the available miscellaneous hunting properties as of July 2021.
The Lama Tract is closed for the 2021-2022 hunting season due to forestry plantation thinning.
The 2021 pheasant hunting program at Conestogo Lake Conservation Area is cancelled. Please see below for more information.

Apply online

Applications are available online for permits to hunt at Luther Marsh, Conestogo Lake Conservation Area, Belwood Lake Conservation Area and the Miscellaneous Hunting Areas. Permit sales open on August 1.

Belwood Lake Conservation Area, Fergus
Location: See a Google map showing the park entrance. GRCA hunting permits: Seasonal hunting permits have moved to online sales only. Daily permits are not longer available for Belwood Lake. Seasonal permits are valid until February 28. Fee: Permit fees can be found on the Belwood Lake Fee page. Licences: Hunters must possess the GRCA hunting permit in addition to the appropriate Provincial and/or Federal hunting licence(s) and stamps and/or tags. Season/Limits: Check the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary and the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons and limits. OFAH membership: All hunters must be a member of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. This ensures hunters have insurance coverage on our properties. Visit the OFAH website or call 705-748-6324 for information. Waterfowl: There is no early goose season. Please refer to the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons and limits. Small game: There is no spring wild turkey season. Deer: Permitted on posted hunting areas only. Regulations for archery, controlled hunt and muzzleloaders apply. More information: See the Belwood Lake page for park information. Hunting days: There is no gun-hunting permitted on Sundays at Belwood Lake.
Conestogo Lake Conservation Area, Drayton
Location: See a Google map showing the park entrance. GRCA hunting permit: All hunting permits have moved to online sales only and permits will not be available for sale at the Conestogo gatehouse. Deer archery only, and deer archery and controlled hunt permits are valid until December 31. The quad and grand slam permits are valid until February 28. Fee: Permit fees can be found on the Conestogo Lake Fee page. Lottery: All deer permits (archery and controlled) as well as the Quad and Grand slam permits are sold through an online lottery system. The lottery for the upcoming season will open May 1, 2021 and applications will be accepted until June 22, 2021. The draw will be held on June 23, 2021. If you applied, please check your email (including your junk mail). Licences: Hunters must possess the GRCA hunting permit in addition to the appropriate Provincial and/or Federal hunting licence(s) and stamps and/or tags. OFAH membership: All hunters must be a member of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. This ensures hunters have insurance coverage on our properties. Visit the OFAH website or call 705-748-6324 for information. Season/Limits: Check the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary and the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons and limits. Hunting days: There is no gun-hunting permitted on Sundays at Conestogo Lake. Waterfowl: Please refer to the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons and limits. Pheasant: The 2021 pheasant hunting program at Conestogo Lake Conservation Area is cancelled. The decision not to renew the contract to purchase pheasants is part of an overall operational review of our programs, based on recent changes to the Conservation Authorities Act and to ensure these programs align with our strategic priorities. This suspension impacts our pheasant hunting program only; our other hunting programs are not affected. Small game: A fall wild turkey season has been added to the Conestogo Lake hunting program. Valid with a Grand Slam permit only. There is no spring wild turkey season. Deer: A limited number of permits are available for deer in posted hunting areas only during open seasons. Regulations for archery, controlled hunt and muzzleloaders apply. More information: Download the Conestogo Lake hunting map (500 KB PDF) to view the locations of the hunting areas. Please note this document may not be accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability and require this document in an alternate format, please contact us.
Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area, Grand Valley
Location: See a Google map showing the park entrance GRCA hunting permit: Seasonal hunting permits have moved to online sales only. Daily permits can be purchased through our online ePass upon arrival. Hunters who are unable to use the ePass system have the option of using the existing self-registration stations, using exact change only. Deer and fall turkey permits are valid until December 31. Seasonal and migratory bird/upland game/small game permits and are valid until February 28. Fee: Permit fees can be found on the Luther Marsh Fee page. Licences: Hunters must possess the GRCA hunting permit in addition to the appropriate Provincial and/or Federal hunting licence(s) and stamps and/or tags. OFAH membership: All hunters must be a member of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. This ensures hunters have insurance coverage on our properties. Visit the OFAH website or call 705-748-6324 for information. Season/Limits: Check the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary and the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons and limits. Hunting days: No gun-hunting on Tuesday or Thursday, except during controlled deer hunts or when opening day falls on a Tuesday or Thursday. Sunday gun hunting is not permitted at Luther Marsh. Winter: Interior roads are not plowed in winter. Hunters must walk in. Boat access: All boaters (canoe, kayak, rowboat or motorboat) must complete a boat access form (600 KB PDF) which is also available at the park entrance kiosk. Waterfowl: Please refer to the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons and limits. Deer: Permitted on posted hunting areas only. Regulations for archery, controlled hunt and muzzleloaders apply. Small game: There is no spring wild turkey season at Luther Marsh. More information: Download the Luther Marsh Hunting Map (250KB PDF). Please note this document may not be accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability and require this document in an alternate format, please contact us. See the Luther Marsh page for more information.
Miscellaneous Hunting Areas
Locations: The GRCA owns 17 properties, primarily in Dufferin and Wellington counties where hunting is allowed by permit only ($105). The properties range from 40 to 80 hectares. Please note: The Crawford Tract has been removed from the available miscellaneous hunting properties as of July 2021. The Lama Tract is closed for the 2021-2022 hunting season due to forestry plantation thinning. GRCA hunting permit: Hunting permits have moved to online sales only. Permits are valid from September 1 to May 31. The 17 Miscellaneous Hunting Areas will be closed from March 1 until April 24. They re-open April 25 until May 31, for the spring turkey hunt. Permit sales will temporarily be closed on December 31 and reopen April 20 for those who wish to hunt spring turkey only. Permits for the following fall season open on August 1. Licences: Hunters must possess the GRCA hunting permit in addition to the appropriate Provincial and/or Federal hunting licence(s) and stamps and/or tags. Season/Limits: Check the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary and the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons and limits. OFAH membership: All hunters must be a member of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. This ensures hunters have insurance coverage on our properties. Visit the OFAH website or call 705-748-6324 for information. More information: Download the Miscellaneous hunting areas map (500 KB PDF) for locations of the 17 miscellaneous hunting properties. Please note the first page of this multi-page document (map page) may not be accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability and require this document in an alternate format, please contact us.

Belwood Lake Conservation Area, Fergus

Location: See a Google map showing the park entrance.

GRCA hunting permits: Seasonal hunting permits have moved to online sales only. Daily permits are not longer available for Belwood Lake.

Seasonal permits are valid until February 28.

Fee: Permit fees can be found on the Belwood Lake Fee page.

Licences: Hunters must possess the GRCA hunting permit in addition to the appropriate Provincial and/or Federal hunting licence(s) and stamps and/or tags.

Season/Limits: Check the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary and the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons and limits.

OFAH membership: All hunters must be a member of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. This ensures hunters have insurance coverage on our properties. Visit the OFAH website or call 705-748-6324 for information.

Waterfowl: There is no early goose season. Please refer to the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons and limits.

Small game: There is no spring wild turkey season.

Deer: Permitted on posted hunting areas only. Regulations for archery, controlled hunt and muzzleloaders apply.

More information: See the Belwood Lake page for park information.

Hunting days: There is no gun-hunting permitted on Sundays at Belwood Lake.

Conestogo Lake Conservation Area, Drayton

Location: See a Google map showing the park entrance.

GRCA hunting permit: All hunting permits have moved to online sales only and permits will not be available for sale at the Conestogo gatehouse.

Deer archery only, and deer archery and controlled hunt permits are valid until December 31. The quad and grand slam permits are valid until February 28.

Fee: Permit fees can be found on the Conestogo Lake Fee page.

Lottery: All deer permits (archery and controlled) as well as the Quad and Grand slam permits are sold through an online lottery system. The lottery for the upcoming season will open May 1, 2021 and applications will be accepted until June 22, 2021. The draw will be held on June 23, 2021. If you applied, please check your email (including your junk mail).

Licences: Hunters must possess the GRCA hunting permit in addition to the appropriate Provincial and/or Federal hunting licence(s) and stamps and/or tags.

OFAH membership: All hunters must be a member of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. This ensures hunters have insurance coverage on our properties. Visit the OFAH website or call 705-748-6324 for information.

Season/Limits: Check the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary and the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons and limits.

Hunting days: There is no gun-hunting permitted on Sundays at Conestogo Lake.

Waterfowl: Please refer to the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons and limits.

Pheasant: The 2021 pheasant hunting program at Conestogo Lake Conservation Area is cancelled. The decision not to renew the contract to purchase pheasants is part of an overall operational review of our programs, based on recent changes to the Conservation Authorities Act and to ensure these programs align with our strategic priorities. This suspension impacts our pheasant hunting program only; our other hunting programs are not affected.

Small game: A fall wild turkey season has been added to the Conestogo Lake hunting program. Valid with a Grand Slam permit only. There is no spring wild turkey season.

Deer: A limited number of permits are available for deer in posted hunting areas only during open seasons. Regulations for archery, controlled hunt and muzzleloaders apply.

More information: Download the Conestogo Lake hunting map (500 KB PDF) to view the locations of the hunting areas. Please note this document may not be accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability and require this document in an alternate format, please contact us.

Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area, Grand Valley

Location: See a Google map showing the park entrance

GRCA hunting permit: Seasonal hunting permits have moved to online sales only. Daily permits can be purchased through our online ePass upon arrival. Hunters who are unable to use the ePass system have the option of using the existing self-registration stations, using exact change only.

Deer and fall turkey permits are valid until December 31. Seasonal and migratory bird/upland game/small game permits and are valid until February 28.

Fee: Permit fees can be found on the Luther Marsh Fee page.

Licences: Hunters must possess the GRCA hunting permit in addition to the appropriate Provincial and/or Federal hunting licence(s) and stamps and/or tags.

Season/Limits: Check the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary and the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons and limits.

Hunting days: No gun-hunting on Tuesday or Thursday, except during controlled deer hunts or when opening day falls on a Tuesday or Thursday. Sunday gun hunting is not permitted at Luther Marsh.

Winter: Interior roads are not plowed in winter. Hunters must walk in.

Boat access: All boaters (canoe, kayak, rowboat or motorboat) must complete a boat access form (600 KB PDF) which is also available at the park entrance kiosk.

Waterfowl: Please refer to the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons and limits.

Deer: Permitted on posted hunting areas only. Regulations for archery, controlled hunt and muzzleloaders apply.

Small game: There is no spring wild turkey season at Luther Marsh.

More information: Download the Luther Marsh Hunting Map (250KB PDF). Please note this document may not be accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability and require this document in an alternate format, please contact us.

See the Luther Marsh page for more information.

Miscellaneous Hunting Areas

Locations: The GRCA owns 17 properties, primarily in Dufferin and Wellington counties where hunting is allowed by permit only ($105). The properties range from 40 to 80 hectares.

Please note:

The Crawford Tract has been removed from the available miscellaneous hunting properties as of July 2021.
The Lama Tract is closed for the 2021-2022 hunting season due to forestry plantation thinning.

GRCA hunting permit: Hunting permits have moved to online sales only. Permits are valid from September 1 to May 31. The 17 Miscellaneous Hunting Areas will be closed from March 1 until April 24. They re-open April 25 until May 31, for the spring turkey hunt.

Permit sales will temporarily be closed on December 31 and reopen April 20 for those who wish to hunt spring turkey only. Permits for the following fall season open on August 1.

Licences: Hunters must possess the GRCA hunting permit in addition to the appropriate Provincial and/or Federal hunting licence(s) and stamps and/or tags.

Season/Limits: Check the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary and the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons and limits.

More information: Download the Miscellaneous hunting areas map (500 KB PDF) for locations of the 17 miscellaneous hunting properties. Please note the first page of this multi-page document (map page) may not be accessible to people with disabilities. If you have a disability and require this document in an alternate format, please contact us.