Since 1975, a hunting program has taken place in the open seasons on 930 hectares of conservation land at Conestogo Lake Park.

Hunters must possess a GRCA hunting permit and the appropriate Provincial and/or Federal hunting license(s) and stamps and/or tags.

Migratory birds: 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 season. Regulations for archery, controlled hunt and muzzleloaders apply.

Purchase GRCA Hunting Permits for Conestogo Lake starting the second Saturday in May at 8 a.m.: Phone: 519-638-2873 Or visit the park gatehouse during operating season.

A limited number of permits are sold. First come, first served.

Conestogo Lake Hunting Areas

For further information contact:

Conestogo Lake Park6580 Wellington County Rd. 11 RR2 Wallenstein, Ontario N0B 2S0 519-638-2873

Grand River Conservation Authority400 Clyde Rd. Box 729, Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6 519-621-2761

www.grandriver.ca

Conestogo Lake Conservation Area

HUNTING PROGRAM

© Grand River Conservation Authority, 2017. This map is for information purposes only, and the GRCA takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained within the map. Portions of this map are produced under license from Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada with permission from Natural Resources Canada.

AREA 1

AREA 6

AREA 5

AREA 7

AREA 3

AREA 4

AREA 2

Conestogo Lake

6th LineHollen Rd.

Con. Rd. 5

Con. Rd. 6

Con. Rd. 3

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on 1

0 Rd

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Wel

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on 1

1 Rd

.

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road

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6

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15

8th Line

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road

3

HUNTINGAREA

ForestedArea

Road River/Stream

Lake/Reservoir

AREA 3 - HORSE-BACK TRAVEL IS

PERMITTED

HUNTING PERMITTED IN AREAS 1-7 ONLY, AS

MARKED.

ALL OTHER AREAS ARE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. TRESPASSERS WILL BE CHARGED AND FINED. Last update: October 2020

NO GUN HUNTING

on Mondays and Fridays from 12 p.m. until

30 minutes after sunset. No gun hunting on Sundays.

Hunting occurs during the seasons outlined in the Provincial and Federal Regulations Summaries. Also check the summaries for bag and possession limits.

Migratory Birds:

Ducks (other than harlequin ducks), rails (other than yellow rails and king rails), gallinules, coots, snipe, geese (other than Canada geese and cackling geese), woodcock, mourning dove, Canada geese, cackling geese.

Small Game:

Ruffed grouse, rabbit/hare, pheasant. There is NO season for turkey at Conestogo Lake. Note: pheasant season at Conestogo Lake opens the second Wednesday in October.

Deer:

Archery only (no dogs), shotguns and muzzleloaders only (no dogs), muzzleloaders and archery only (no dogs).

Report banded birds at 1-800-327-BAND (2263).

Conestogo Lake Game Species - WMU #80

Hunters should use caution to ensure they are hunting within the permitted areas only. Any charges laid by the MNRF or OPP will result in permit confiscation. FIREARMS/GUN HUNTING No discharge of firearms from March 1 to the opening of Canada Goose season. Firearms must be unloaded on all roadways.

Gun hunting is not permitted on Mondays and Fridays from 12 p.m. until 30 minutes after sunset.

Gun hunting is not permitted on Sundays.

MANDATORY USE OF PARKING STAKES For safety, all vehicles must park in designated parking lots at stakes. Once a lot is full, please go to the next parking area where a vacant stake exists.

CAMPING Camping is available until October 15. To book a campsite visit www.grcacamping.ca or call 1-877-558-GRCA (4722).

PERMITS AND LICENCES Hunters must possess a GRCA hunting permit for Conestogo Lake in addition to the appropriate Provincial and/or Federal hunting licence(s) and stamps and/or tags. Purchase GRCA hunting permits for Conestogo Lake starting the second Saturday in May at 8 a.m. Phone: 519-638-2873 Or visit the park gatehouse during operating season.

PHEASANT HUNTING Pheasant season at Conestogo Lake opens the second Wedneday in October. Limit two pheasants (2 cocks, or 1 hen and 1 cock). Pheasant hunting hours are from 8 a.m. until 30 minutes after sunset.

LICENCE VALIDATION License validation for the controlled deer hunt (gun) and selective harvest (archery) are administered through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry lottery for WMU #80.

NON HUNTING AREAS Non hunting areas are closed to the public. Hunt only in designated areas; see map. Trespassers will be charged and fined, and the hunting permit will be confiscated.

TO REPORT POACHING AND OTHER RESOURCE VIOLATIONS,PLEASE CALL 1-877-TIPS-MNR (1-877-847-7667) OR

CRIME STOPPERS AT 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)

ALWAYS CHECK THE FEDERAL MIGRATORY BIRD REGULATIONS &THE PROVINCIAL HUNTING REGULATIONS SUMMARIES FOR SEASON OPENING DATES,

BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS.

About Conestogo Lake Park

Conestogo Lake Park is located in the heart of Mennonite Country. It offers visitors the chance to camp, boat, sail, waterski, canoe and fish on a y-shaped reservoir that stretches six kilometres up each arm.

The reservoir is created by Conestogo Dam, which has a viewing area providing a unique vista of the river and surrounding forests and farms.

For more information visit www.grandriver.ca/parks

Hunting Fees*Pheasant/Small Game/ Migratory Birds ..........................$280.00

Deer Archery Only** ................$190.00

Deer Archery and Controlled Hunt** .....................$320.00

The Quad**: Pheasant/Small Game/ Migratory Birds/Deer ...............$400.00

Grand Slam**: Pheasant/Small Game/ Migratory Birds/Deer/ Fall Turkey .....................................$420.00

Hunting Policies & Fees

PHEASANT HUNTING: Pheasant season at Conestogo Lake opens the second Wednesday in October. Limit two pheasants (2 cocks, or 1 hen and 1 cock). Pheasant hunting hours are from 8 a.m. until 30 minutes after sunset.

* Fees include taxes. Fees are subject to change without notice.** Limited number of permits sold.

Call park directly to order a Guest Pass ($30/ea). Guest pass holder must be accompanied by a permitted hunter. Passes are picked up on the day of the hunt. Valid from the fourth Wednesday in October to the end of February. Not valid on weekends. Guest passes are sold to a limit of five permits per day, and are issued for pheasant and small game only.

All hunting activities require a GRCA hunting permit and must follow the Hunting Regulations for WMU #80.

All areas are CLOSED from March 31 to August 31.

For hunting seasons and limits refer to:

Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary www.ontario.ca This hunting guide summarizes the rules and regulations for hunting in Ontario including information about hunting licences and fees, regulations and seasons for each game species (ISSN 1925-3516).

Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries www.ec.gc.caThese are one-page summaries of the annual hunting regulations for each province and territory, including season dates and bag limits.

HORSES Horseback travel is permitted in Area 3 and by permit only. Restrictions apply. Contact park staff for information and to purchase a permit.

ATVs Off road vehicles and ATVs are strictly prohibited at Conestogo Lake Park. Trespassers will be fined.

DOGS Dogs must be kept on a leash in closed hunting seasons and on closed hunting days. It is an offence to pursue game in a closed season.

ALCOHOL Alcohol is prohibited at all times. Non-compliance will result in eviction.

FIRES Absolutely no open fires are permitted; BBQs can be used in designated parking areas only. It is an offence to start fires in conservation areas.

TREE STANDS AND BLINDS Stands are blinds must be of a portable design. They may be erected four weeks prior to opening day and must be removed within one week of the season’s end. The GRCA assumes no responsibility for stands/blinds or their use. It is an offence to cut vegetation in conservation areas.

COTTAGE LOT PROPERTIES Hunters must keep a minimum distance of 1,000-feet from cottage properties.

HUNTER ORANGE Hunter orange is mandatory when hunting small game or deer using a

gun. Wear a vest or jacket and hat. Non-compliance will result in eviction.

WATERFOWLER HERITAGE DAYSWaterfowler Heritage Days provide young hunters under 18 years of age with the opportunity to practise hunting and outdoor skills, learn about wildlife conservation, and reinforce safety training in a structured, supervised environment.

Licensed adult hunters who serve as mentors have an opportunity to pass on their skills and knowledge by offering guidance and advice to younger hunters. Rules and restrictions apply. For details see the Canadian Wildlife Service’s Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations documents at www.ec.gc.ca