First Nations Deer Harvest – Short Hills Provincial Park

October 13, 2017 Margaret
Posted by Margaret on

No hiking in Short Hills Provincial Park due to Deer Harvest. The harvest will take place on the following dates: NOVEMBER 11 & 12, NOVEMBER 25 & 26 and DECEMBER 4 & 5, 2017.

For more details:

NOTICE

 

Ontario Honouring Treaty Rights with First Nation Deer Harvest in Short Hills Provincial Park, November 11, 12, 25, 26 and December 4 and 5, 2017

 

For many First Nation communities in Ontario, hunting is a traditional activity that is recognized as an Aboriginal or treaty right. The Haudenosaunee Confederacy has notified the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry that it wishes to exercise its right to harvest deer in Short Hills Provincial Park. 

 

The Haudenosaunee Confederacy has a treaty right to harvest in an area of southwestern Ontario that includes Short Hills Provincial Park. Ontario recognizes the rights of this local First Nation community to conduct a deer harvest in the park.

 

The ministry also recognizes and seeks to balance the interests of the different users of the park and local community. Working with the ministry, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy has agreed to only carry out its harvest during prescribed times and within the confines of the park.

 

The harvest will take place November 11 and 12, November 25 and 26 and December 4 and 5, 2017. On the harvest dates the park will be closed under Section 8(1) (c) of Ontario Regulation 347/07 under the Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act. 

 

To provide for the safety of the public, the harvesters and ministry staff, a number of measures will be put in place:

 

  • Archery will be the means of harvesting deer. No guns will be allowed.
  • A harvest zone has been established and the deer harvest will stay confined to this agreed upon zone.
  • Ministry staff will be present at authorized access points and other locations to advise members of the public and park users that the park is closed during the harvests and that access is prohibited.
  • Notices will be posted at the park entrances.
  • The harvest will take place from one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset.
  • Harvesters will be stationary using ground blinds and tree stands.

 

All First Nation harvesters will be made aware of the terms of the harvest agreement that has been reached between the ministry and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy to ensure a safe and humane deer harvest.

 

For safety reasons, on the harvest dates we ask that you do not enter the park and that you comply with all posted notices.

 

If you require additional information on this First Nation deer harvest please contact Melanie Milczynski, Ontario Parks Acting Southwest Zone Manager at 519-873-4616 or melanie.milczynski@ontario.ca.