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The GRCA allows hunting on 22 properties. That includes two Grand River parks, the Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area and 19 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.

Area 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 area closure and duration. If you have any questions about this, please contact us at 519-621-2761.

Updated 8/7/2018: Hunting will not be available at Belwood Lake from Sept. 6 to Sept. 16, 2018, during the early goose season.

Apply Online!

As of August 1, 2018, you can apply online for permits to hunt at Luther Marsh and the Miscellaneous Hunting Areas. Online applications are not currently available for Belwood and Conestogo Lake parks.

Belwood Lake Park, Fergus
Location: See a Google map showing the park entrance. GRCA hunting permits: Permits are available for the season or daily. An appointment with park staff must be made to pick up a seasonal permit. Contact park staff, prior to hunting, for permits by email or by phone at 519-843-2979. You can buy a daily permit at the park gate from May 1 to October 15, or off-season by self-registration. 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 Park page for park information. Hunting days: There is no gun-hunting permitted on Sundays at Belwood Lake. Updated 8/7/2018 - Please note: Hunting will not be available at Belwood Lake from Sept. 6 to Sept. 16, 2018, during the early goose season.
Conestogo Lake Park, Drayton
Location: See a Google map showing the park entrance GRCA hunting permit: Contact park staff for permits by phone at 519-638-2873. You can buy a permit at the park gate from May 1 to 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 Park 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.
Miscellaneous Hunting Areas
Locations: The GRCA owns 19 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. 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 19 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 Park, Fergus

Location: See a Google map showing the park entrance.

GRCA hunting permits: Permits are available for the season or daily. An appointment with park staff must be made to pick up a seasonal permit. Contact park staff, prior to hunting, for permits by email or by phone at 519-843-2979. You can buy a daily permit at the park gate from May 1 to October 15, or off-season by self-registration.

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 Park page for park information.

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

Updated 8/7/2018 - Please note: Hunting will not be available at Belwood Lake from Sept. 6 to Sept. 16, 2018, during the early goose season.

Conestogo Lake Park, Drayton

Location: See a Google map showing the park entrance

GRCA hunting permit: Contact park staff for permits by phone at 519-638-2873. You can buy a permit at the park gate from May 1 to 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 Park 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.

Miscellaneous Hunting Areas

Locations: The GRCA owns 19 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.

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 19 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.