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The GRCA allows hunting on 21 properties. That includes two Grand River parks, the Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area and 18 miscellaneous properties.

Depending on the property, you can hunt for waterfowl, deer, pheasants, turkeys 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 on the Miscellaneous Hunting Areas must also belong to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. Membership in OFAH includes insurance coverage, which is required to hunt on in these areas.

Property 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.

Block 1 Grassland Management Unit at Luther Marsh is closed to hunting - September 23 to 29, 2019
The grassland management area Block 1 (north of 15 HWY Zone B) at the Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area will be closed to hunting September 23 to 29, 2019 due to grassland habitat maintenance work. Signage will be in place during the closure at the main entry points. Please see a map highlighting the extent of the closed area. Other hunting areas at Luther Marsh remain open according to the regulations.
The Vance Tract has been removed from the available miscellaneous hunting properties as of July 2019.

Apply online

Applications are available online for permits to hunt at Luther Marsh and at the Miscellaneous Hunting Areas. Online applications are not currently available for Belwood and Conestogo Lake conservation areas.

Belwood Lake Conservation Area, Fergus
Location: See a Google map showing the park entrance. GRCA hunting permits: Seasonal or daily hunting permits are available. An appointment with park staff must be made to purchase a seasonal permit. Contact park staff, prior to hunting, for permits by email or by phone at 519-843-2979. Daily permits can be purchased at the park gatehouse from May 1 to September, and self-registration at the pay station is available at other times when the gate is not staffed. 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. Waterfowl: Migratory birds such as woodcock, snipe, coot, rails and gallinules are included. Small game: Wild turkey only. 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: Contact park staff to purchase permits by phone at 519-638-2873. Alternatively, permits may be purchased in person at the park gate from the second Saturday in May until October 15. 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. Waterfowl: Please check all bag limits allowed for each species before hunting. Pheasant: A pheasant release program operates each fall. Small game: There is no wild turkey season at Conestogo Lake. 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 Program booklet, or see the Conestogo Lake page for park information.
Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area, Grand Valley
Location: See a Google map showing the park entrance GRCA hunting permit: Apply online or download the Luther Marsh permit application (PDF) to return by mail or in person with payment. Instructions on how to submit the application are on the form. Please note that credit card payments over the phone will not be taken at this time. 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 which is available at the park entrance kiosk. Waterfowl: Ducks, rails (other than yellow rails and king rails), Common Moorhens, coots, snipe and geese. Small game: Ruffed grouse, woodcock and rabbit/hare. There is no wild turkey season at Luther Marsh. More information: See the Luther Marsh page for area information. Download the Luther Marsh booklet, which has more information about hunting. Please note: Permit sales are closed for the season. Online sales will resume Thursday, August 1, 2019 for the 2019-2020 season. Purchase of a Miscellaneous Hunting Areas or Luther Marsh permit will not be available until August 1, 2019.
Miscellaneous Hunting Areas
Locations: The GRCA owns 18 properties, primarily in Dufferin and Wellington counties where hunting is allowed by permit only ($65.00). For more information, download the brochure and map. The properties range from 40 to 80 hectares. Please note: The Vance Tract has been removed from the available miscellaneous hunting properties as of July 2019. GRCA hunting permit: Apply online or download the Miscellaneous Properties hunting permit application (PDF) to return by mail or in person with payment. Permits are valid from September 1 to February 28. From March 1 until April 24, the 18 Miscellaneous Hunting Areas will be closed. They re-open April 25 until May 31, for the spring hunt. 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/Prey: Check the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary and the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons, limits and prey. OFAH membership: All hunters on these properties 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.

Belwood Lake Conservation Area, Fergus

Location: See a Google map showing the park entrance.

GRCA hunting permits: Seasonal or daily hunting permits are available. An appointment with park staff must be made to purchase a seasonal permit. Contact park staff, prior to hunting, for permits by email or by phone at 519-843-2979. Daily permits can be purchased at the park gatehouse from May 1 to September, and self-registration at the pay station is available at other times when the gate is not staffed.

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.

Waterfowl: Migratory birds such as woodcock, snipe, coot, rails and gallinules are included.

Small game: Wild turkey only.

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: Contact park staff to purchase permits by phone at 519-638-2873. Alternatively, permits may be purchased in person at the park gate from the second Saturday in May until October 15.

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.

Waterfowl: Please check all bag limits allowed for each species before hunting.

Pheasant: A pheasant release program operates each fall.

Small game: There is no wild turkey season at Conestogo Lake.

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 Program booklet, or see the Conestogo Lake page for park information.

Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area, Grand Valley

Location: See a Google map showing the park entrance

GRCA hunting permit: Apply online or download the Luther Marsh permit application (PDF) to return by mail or in person with payment. Instructions on how to submit the application are on the form. Please note that credit card payments over the phone will not be taken at this time.

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 which is available at the park entrance kiosk.

Waterfowl: Ducks, rails (other than yellow rails and king rails), Common Moorhens, coots, snipe and geese.

Small game: Ruffed grouse, woodcock and rabbit/hare. There is no wild turkey season at Luther Marsh.

More information: See the Luther Marsh page for area information. Download the Luther Marsh booklet, which has more information about hunting.

Please note: Permit sales are closed for the season. Online sales will resume Thursday, August 1, 2019 for the 2019-2020 season. Purchase of a Miscellaneous Hunting Areas or Luther Marsh permit will not be available until August 1, 2019.

Miscellaneous Hunting Areas

Locations: The GRCA owns 18 properties, primarily in Dufferin and Wellington counties where hunting is allowed by permit only ($65.00). For more information, download the brochure and map. The properties range from 40 to 80 hectares.

Please note: The Vance Tract has been removed from the available miscellaneous hunting properties as of July 2019.

GRCA hunting permit: Apply online or download the Miscellaneous Properties hunting permit application (PDF) to return by mail or in person with payment. Permits are valid from September 1 to February 28. From March 1 until April 24, the 18 Miscellaneous Hunting Areas will be closed. They re-open April 25 until May 31, for the spring hunt.

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/Prey: Check the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary and the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries for seasons, limits and prey.

OFAH membership: All hunters on these properties 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.