Hunting

Have you ever wondered what essentials you need to start turkey hunting? We asked our experts in the store what products they would recommend to new turkey hunters. Turkey Locator Calls: When you’re trying to find turkeys, it’s better to use a sound from their environment that they’ll respond to as opposed to a turkey noise. Locator type calls are often other species of birds that turkeys will gobble at naturally. Using a turkey locator call will arouse less suspicion from wary turkeys than an endless wave of turkey calls. The Strut Hooter from Hunter Specialties is great to use in the early morning or evening. It’s perfect for finding turkeys in their roosts. You can use this type of call to locate them before your hunt begins. The benefit of calling at night [...]

A Beginner's Guide to Turkey Hunting Before turkey hunters can begin their hunting adventures, there are some things they need to know. The Ministry of Natural Resources strictly regulates hunting wild turkeys in southern Ontario so before stepping out into the field, make sure you are educated! When does turkey season start this year? The Ministry of Natural Resources decides when all hunting seasons begin and end. Their wild turkey management plan is ensuring sustainable populations. The turkey spring hunting season traditionally starts on April 25th. Season dates are available in the yearly guide, which is on their website. There are two wild turkey hunting seasons in Ontario. The spring season is beginning as male turkeys enter rut. The rut is what makes wild turkeys so responsive to calls. There is a two-bird bag limit [...]

Choke Tubes Shotguns are an incredibly versatile tool for hunters and sport shooters alike. One of the things that make them so useful is their choke tubes. Choke tubes are designed to change the pattern of the shot that is released when the shotgun is fired. By changing the little tube in the front of the barrel, a shooter can increase firing distance or accuracy. By changing the choke tube, a hunter can specialize their firearm for specific hunts. Choosing the right choke tube can make a huge difference when it comes to the success of a hunt. Turkey hunting, for example, requires a different shot pattern and distance than dove hunting. There are 4 major types of choke tubes: modified, cylinder, improved, and full. Each choke tube serves a different purpose. In addition to [...]

Changes to Reporting Laws   For the first time this year, every hunter who receives a tag must complete a hunt report even if they did not fill their tag. This is mandatory and there are serious penalties for forgetting to report or reporting false information. Every hunter needs to educate themselves to make sure they’re not penalized.   What are the new Rules? Starting this year, every hunter issued a tag for moose, elk, deer, bear, wild turkey, and wolf/coyote must complete a hunter’s report unless you live in an area where a tag is not required (like coyote in parts of southern Ontario). Even if your hunt isn’t successful, you still have to report it. If you never make it out to hunt, you still need to report it. The new online licensing [...]

Deer Food Plot Basics Food plots are normally divided into two categories: kill plots and feeding plots. We’re here to help you decide what options are best for you and your land. How big should my food plot be? The size of your plots will be determined by several factors: The amount of land available, the type of terrain outside the boundaries of your property, the number of deer likely to be drawn to the food plot, and the purpose of your plot. Kill plots are normally smaller than feeding plots as they will be expected to sustain the deer for shorter periods of time. In a kill plot, all areas must be visible from a single point. Feeding plots are liable to see heavier use and therefore should be larger. Kill plots are normally [...]