www.ocoa.ca
MEDIA RELEASE
April 26, 2009
CONSERVATION OFFICERS ENCOURAGE SAFE TURKEY HUNTING
The Ontario Conservation Officers Association (OCOA) wants to wish all of Ontario's wild turkey hunters a safe, enjoyable, and successful hunt. The 2009 spring wild turkey season in most of Ontario opens on April 27th and is a result of the reintroduction of wild turkeys to Ontario in the late 1980's. The subsequent growth of turkey populations allowed for a limited hunt that has expanded over the years as the number of birds continues to grow.
As the hunt grows, so does the potential for abuse of both the resource and the private land upon which most hunting takes place. Fortunately, a combination of mandatory turkey hunter education program, responsible hunters, and active enforcement efforts by Conservation Officers (COs) has resulted in many seasons of safe hunts.
"Even though the vast majority of hunters obey the law, COs continue to find a small percentage of hunters who disregard the regulations while turkey hunting", says OCOA President Dan VanExan, himself a southern Ontario field CO. "We will continue to actively enforce the law, to ensure that this growing sport remains safe", adds VanExan.
Hunters are reminded that permission is required to hunt on private land, where most turkey hunting occurs. It is illegal in most of southern Ontario to hunt on or from public road rights of way between tracts of private land. In addition, it is illegal to hunt turkeys within 400m of where bait has been deposited.
"Our officers will always investigate reports of trespassing and road hunting, and we encourage responsible hunters to report illegal hunting immediately. This will help the keep both hunters and members of the public safe during the hunt", said VanExan.
Anyone with information about a natural resources or public safety related crime is encouraged to call the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources violation reporting line at 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667), contact their local CO directly, or call Crime Stoppers at 1800-222-TIPS (8477).
For more information about
natural resources regulations and enforcement, please visit the OCOA website
at www.ocoa.ca, or contact your local Conservation Officer.
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For more information contact:
Dan VanExan
President
Ontario Conservation Officers Association
(613) 478-6132
