T H E

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US E R GUIDE
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H I K I N G

This User Guide would not be possible without our sponsors. Please support the advertisers you see within this book. Thank you!

Complete map of Hullett Hunting regulations Spotlights on species at Hullett

f o h o ff i c e @ t c c . o n . c a

Ducks Unlimited Canada

works every day to protect and restore wetland habitat like the beautiful marshes you see in the Hullett Wildlife area.

A Message from

Table of Contents
What is The Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Message from the Marsh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Pheasant Program Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Abandoned Wells get Capped . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Greetings from your local Conservation Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Rodents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Rules and Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Federal and Provincial Legislation . . . . . . . 11 Map of Hullett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 GPS Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 The Trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Turkeys at Hullett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Fish at Hullett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Spotlight on Owls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Interior Forests at Hullett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 The Successful Prescribed Burn of Native Grass Plots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Waterfowl Nesting Boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Guided Hunt in the Whitetail Swamp . . . 22 Species at Risk in Hullett Marsh . . . . . . . . 23 Message from The OMNR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Membership Registration Form . . . . . . . . . 25

The Board of Directors

of the Friends of Hullett
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Hullett I would like to welcome you to the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area.

Proud Supplier to the

Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area
Meeting, then exceeding expectations since 1991 Dennis Smith owner

519/273-6139 fax 519/273-6051

ph email dsprint@on.aibn.com 221 Griffith Road Stratford, ON N5A 6S4

Yet, in some areas of Ontario not far from here, up to 90% of wetlands have been lost forever. Wetlands provide essential habitat for wildlife and vegetation, and they also greatly improve the health of our local watersheds. Please call us at 1-888-402-4444 to find out how you can help protect the natural vitality of our Ontario landscape. Or visit us at www.ducks.ca

f its your first time here take some time to review the user guide so that you are familiar with the rules and regulations associated with the HPWA. If you have been here before check out the map section for any changes. The Friends of Hullett Inc. is a strictly volunteer group of men and women from around Southern Ontario who spend hundreds of hours outside of their regular jobs to manage the day-to-day operations at the wildlife area. The Board of Directors of F.O.H. meets monthly and corresponds almost daily. The Board administers a large agricultural contract, which along with generous donations from the public, provides the funds for the maintenance of the marsh, grounds, and buildings, the funding for new and exciting projects, and the hiring of employees. Our employees are carefully chosen based on their educational background, patience, and insight. We have been most fortunate to have employees that are self-starters. The nature of their jobs necessitates the ability to not only see the work at hand, but to work outside a game plan. Partnered with the O.M.N.R. and Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Board of Directors continues to manage this amazing 5200-acre wetland complex

Our only limitation is Your imagination!

in Huron County. The success of our operation depends however, on much more than the three senior partners. Our employees, of course, are indispensable; but so are the many volunteers that show up for workdays, either impromptu or planned, and those, which manage many of our projects at Hullett. If you have an idea for improvements to the area, or a program you might want to see at Hullett, dont hesitate to bring it to the attention of the staff or directors. The senior partners, the Board of Directors, our employees, and our volunteers all recognize Hullett as a jewel tucked away in Southern Ontario. Even more so now after receiving funding from the Trillium program. We have completed the Hullet Provincial Wildlife Area Interpretive Centre. Please take some time to stop in at the interpretive center located at the main office. If you are new to the Hullett area, or are a frequent visitor, you can participate in the Hullett Experience by hiking, hunting, horseback riding, canoeing, or simply volunteering some gratifying time to the marsh. Regardless, you wont be disappointed. Duane Inkpen, CHAIR

Welcome Hunters!
Come Enjoy Our Hearty Daily Specials
Huron St.

Cover photos and photos throughout this publication are courtesy of Friends of Hullett, & Mat Shetler

Game Farm Pheasant Club

to Clinton Hwy. #83 Exeter

The Friends of Hullett

BOARD MEMBERS
Chair

OPEN YEAR ROUND 7 DAYS A WEEK Bird Dog Training Pheasants Quail Chukar Partridge 2-1/2 miles west of Exeter on Huron Street

Duane Inkpen
Vice Chair

Ed Allen
Secretary

Mike Cardinal
Treasurer

Mi tch ell

Hw y. # 23

David Palmer
Directors

Open 7 days a week

Breakfast Lunch Dinner Sunday Brunch

Stratford Hwy. #7

London

519-233-3222
Corner of Hwy #4 & Vanastra Rd. H U L L E T T P R O V I N C I A L

Jim Bayne Ryan Bayne Warren Harper Adam McKichan Roger Shelswell Ed VanOsch
STAFF
Marsh Manager

519-228-6036
W I L D L I F E A R E A U S E R G U I D E

Help maintain the Marsh Become a Friends of Hullett Member

Contact us for more information office phone (519) 482-7011 fax (519) 482-7415 email fohoffice@tcc.on.ca PO Box 1520, Clinton, ON N0M 1L0 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8 S E A S O N

Mat Shetler

W W W . H U L L E T T M A R S H . O R G

What is
T Set in the
heart of Huron County, and strategically located on the paths of two major waterfowl flyways, Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area is one of the most spectacular wildlife habitat developments in Eastern Canada.

Message from the

THE SAFETY OF HUNTING

The Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area?

his 2200 hectare site along the South Maitland River provides superb opportunities to see wildlife management at its best. The forests, fields and marshes present at Hullett provide a wide diversity of wildlife species for all outdoor enthusiasts. H.P.W.A. has something for everyone, at any time of the year. This guide is designed to inform you of the various recreational activities, some of which you may be interested in participating in during your visit to Hullett. H.P.W.A. is open for public use and enjoyment all year round. Typically, Hullett is for day use only and on a self-guided basis. Organized clubs or groups are asked to please coordinate their activities through the Hullett office to ensure there are no user conflicts. Group tours may be arranged by contacting the Hullett Office. Mosquitoes, deer flies and black flies are a nuisance during summer months. To relieve some of the bother, cover with suitable clothing and use insect repellents. Visitors are asked to respect regulations and leave the area as attractive as they found it.

ith Hullett being a multi-use facility people are often concerned about their safety when carrying out activities during the hunting season. I respond by telling them that there is a risk, but, statistically, they are taking a greater risk driving here. In 1991, the U.S. National Safety Council listed hunting after football, bicycle riding, tennis, golf and swimming in terms of injuries requiring hospital emergency room treatment. The same source lists hunting related deaths after automobiles, home accidents, falls, poisoning, fires and suffocation. In Canada, and Ontario in particular, the tradition of hunting is just as safe, if not more so. In 1957, Ontario became the first Canadian province to establish a hunter safety-training course. Over time the course has evolved into a broader

Hunter Education Program. The Ontario Hunter Education Program helps participants to understand the natural world and become a knowledgeable and responsible hunter. The program provides introductory information about ecosystems and wildlife management, hunting laws and regulations, hunter responsibilities, identification, biology, management of and hunting techniques for big game, small game and waterfowl, hunting and survival equipment and the hunter's role in society. The program also reinforces the firearms safety information contained in the Canadian Firearms Safety Course. In addition to the Hunter Education Program the Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program allows individuals the opportunity to safely develop their hunting skills while under the direct and immediate supervision of a qualified mentor. Any Ontario resident who is 12 years of age or older and who has successfully completed the Ontario Hunter Education Course (OHEC) and exam is eligible to participate. The Hunter Apprenticeship Safety Program is mandatory for qualified participants under the age of 15 but is optional for new hunters who are 15 years of age or over. As with every activity at Hullett there is a risk. As long as people understand the risks and take actions to minimize it, like wearing bright colours, hunting accidents will continue to be extremely rare at Hullett and throughout Ontario.

Marsh

Mat Shetler
MARSH MANAGER

By chance or good fortune you will find some of the true inhabitants who depend upon the food, water, shelter and space that Hullett provides. For our native wildlife, these are the essentials of survival. For wildlife managers they are measures of habitat quality.

Bayfield Fish and Seafood

(519) 565-2501
FRESH & FROZEN FISH ~ SEAFOOD ~ SMOKED FISH

DID YOU

know...

SPECIALTY: Fresh Catch ~ Lake Huron Fish

Special Orders, Ice, Cold Drinks, Bait
47 Fishermans Wharf, North Dock Bayfield Harbour Box 538, Bayfield, Ontario N0M 1G0 bayfieldfish@tcc.on.ca

...hunting is a safe outdoor activity that contributes over 200 million to the economy annually.

172 Spacious Lots Seasonal & Overnight Camping 30 amp service Dumping Station Large Drive Through Sites Spotless Modern Washrooms Recreation Hall & Laundromat (7 km east of Goderich on Hwy #8) Store Propane Ice Wood Solar Heated Inground Pool Childrens Playground Shuffleboard Horseshoes Sports Field Canoeing Planned Activities Fishing Open May to Thanksgiving

Please visit our community

Joe Seili
Mayor Municipality of Huron East

Secluded family campground on the banks of the Maitland River RR#2, Clinton, ON N0M 1L0 Reservations: (519) 524-4141 shelter.valley@xplornet.com

72 Main Street, PO Box 610 Seaforth, ON N0K 1W0 Phone 519-887-6289 Fax 519-887-9500 Email mayor@huroneast.com www.huroneast.com

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDING CONTRACTORS SAND & GRAVEL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Jay Armstrong
Box 100, R.R. 5 Stratford, Ontario N5A 6S8

Office (519) 271-0353 Fax (519) 271-5742 Mobile (519) 801-0442

H U L L E T T

P R O V I N C I A L

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The Friends of Hulletts

Continued Success to the Hullett Wildlife Area

from your local partners in wildlife conservation, the Huron Fish and Game Conservation Club, Clinton
about the Huron Fish and Game
Club House
Clinton Optimist Ball Park

Pheasant Program

Raising and releasing 1,700 ring-necked pheasants every year is what attracts hundreds of visitors to Hullett annually.

Update

ant s a e h P
CHALLENGE
David Palmer
VICE CHAIR

Alma St. Erie St.

Huron Fish & Game

Clinton

Hwy 8 to Goderich

Club was chartered in 1940, with a current membership of over 500. Member of the Ontario Federation of Anglers & Hunters, we also maintain close association with: - Canadian Wildlife Federation - Ducks Unlimited Canada - Huron Perth Wild Turkey Association - Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Foundation The club owns an 80 acre farm in Goderich Township acquired from the estate of a Charter Member. 100 yd and 200 yd rifle range available.

We hold spring, summer and fall gun and archery shoots every year. Our sporting clay range opens at 10 am on Saturdays all year round. (6:00 pm Thursdays during the summer only) The club donates annually, mainly to local groups in Clinton. The club maintains a close association with the town of Clinton and the Optimist Club of Clinton, providing use of the club land at the corner of Alma and Erie Street as a ball diamond. Trout stream on range property.

Youre always welcome at our clubhouse in Clinton

his project is no easy feat though. Aside from the large cost of the birds, feed and supplies, a large amount of time is spent raising them. As the birds arrive they are fitted with specs. These devices sit in front of their eyes and discourage them from fighting and pecking at each other. As a result, when the birds are released in the fall they have longer tails and are nice and healthy. The specs still allow the birds to feed and drink and do not affect their peripheral vision, which they rely most upon. Of course the pheasants are checked, fed and watered on a regular basis. But even this takes time. When the birds are going through a growth spurt they can easily eat 200kg of food a day. The automatic waterers are temperamental at best and have the uncanny knack of working one day but not the next. Staff is ever wary of predators and disease. The pens are checked on a regular basis for holes and sick birds. A hungry mink or raccoon or owl can kill many birds if precautions arent taken. Similarly, if a bird is acting strange it is quickly separated from the rest of the flock and watched closely. In the worst cases a whole pen may develop an illness and will require medication and additional care. In 2002 all of this hard work translated into 387 man-hours. Thankfully the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources allows the Friends of Hullett to have a pheasant challenge. The pheasant challenge is in its 6th year and continues to be successful. It allows the Friends of Hullett to generate a little money from this very costly project. Select birds are fitted with a leg band. Participants of the pheasant challenge redeem the band and their $10 ticket to receive a corresponding prize. The prizes range in value from

$20 to $150. Inevitably prizes are left over at the end of the season for which a draw is held. All monies generated by the challenge are put back into purchasing birds and supplies the following year. Ten dollars is a small cost to pay to enjoy the pheasant at Hullett and we encourage everyone to participate in the pheasant challenge although it is not necessary. If you require more information about the Pheasant Challenge, wish to purchase a ticket or have an item to donate as a prize please contact the office at (519) 482-7011.

FRIENDS OF HULLETT

Dont forget to buy your ticket for

this year our Annual Pheasant Challenge!

7th

U
DID YOU

know...

...Ring Necked Pheasants have been known to eat their own eggshells.

Clinton

Hwy 8 to Goderich Fish & Game Line

Range Property

Camp Relax Swim Enjoy Nature 7 km of Trails Daily Summer Activities

Bar Hours Fri. noon to 1 am Sat. noon to midnight Sun. 1 pm to 7 pm Mon. to Thurs. 4 pm to 11 pm For membership information, contact the clubhouse at 519-482-3022 For information outside these hours, contact Jim Butcher at Ontario Gun Services 519-482-9422 or see ad inside this guide 4 H U L L E T T P R O V I N C I A L W I L D L I F E A R E A U S E R G U I D E

Point Farms
P R O V I N C I A L PA R K
7 km north of Goderich on Hwy 21 Open mid May - Thanksgiving Info 519-524-7124 Reservations 1-888-668-7275 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8 S E A S O N

HAROLDS SHELL
Gas Diesel Propane General Repair Service - Oil Changes, etc.

Family owned since 1957

WE BUY & SELL USED CARS

519-482-9612
HIGHWAY 4 SOUTH CLINTON 5

W W W . H U L L E T T M A R S H . O R G

Greetings
B
extends a warm welcome to all those visiting the Hullett Wildlife Area
Two golf courses - Woodlands Links and Bluewater Golf Course While youre visiting the Hullett Wildlife Area, see everything else the new Municipality of Central Huron has to offer. From unique shops, a wide range of restaurants and local attractions such as the CNR School on Wheels, Millennium Park and Racetrack Slots, to our heritage coming to life in picturesque murals which decorate downtown Clinton. Were proud to have this fine recreational area in our municipality, and proud of its ever-increasing use by people from across Ontario and the northern United States. Municipality of Central Huron
P.O. Box 400, 23 Albert Street, Clinton, ON N0M 1L0
ph eing such a diverse area, patrolling the Hullett Wildlife Area is both challenging and rewarding. We have the pleasure of meeting the facility users during various seasons of the year. From the bird watchers and dog trainers in the spring, to the hunters in the fall. We even run into hikers and snowshoers brave enough to face the cold Ontario winters. It never ceases to amaze us how well all of the diverse user groups get along and respect each other. However, there are always a few that manage to make themselves known in a negative way by spoiling it for other people using the area. Whether it is just a lack of common courtesy or a violation of the applicable laws, we are interested in hearing about your concerns and are always willing to help you if we can. So please, if you would like to report something, you have several options for doing this. You can call either of us direct at one of the numbers listed on this page, including the Clinton office. You can contact the Hullett staff and they can assist you in getting in touch with us. As well, MNR has a new 24 hour violation reporting line. The number is 1-877-TIPS-MNR (1-877-847-7667). Staff there will ask questions to assist you with reporting what you saw. You are not required to leave your name, however it does help us if we need further information and we always like to call back and thank those that help us to protect the environment.

from your local Conservation Officers!

Deane Waite
CONSERVATION OFFICER Bus (519) 482-3667 Cell (519) 441-0014

Welcome to this multiple-use wildlife area

Any way you choose, remember to try and record identification of the people involved in a violation. Information such as vehicle licence numbers and descriptions of people, especially what they were wearing, can provide valuable information we can use to help us apprehend the violator. Each year seems to bring its own challenges and last hunting season was no exception. One problem we encountered was a group of waterfowl hunters in A zone wandering too far from their blind stake. Remember, you must be within a 30 metre radius of your stake. Lets also remember to respect the people who have paid for the opportunity to hunt in the Whitetail Swamp. The people have spent their money and entered the lottery to experience this unique type of flooded timber hunt. The lottery takes place after July 31st each year and is a fundraiser for the Friends of Hullett. Money raised provides the FoH with the ability to maintain this prime facility for us all to experience. Another challenge we face has been with people determined to have loaded firearms on, as well as shooting from, the roadways around Hullett. Not only is this a dangerous practice, it also sets a bad example for younger hunters and those that may not be supportive of this type of activity. As stated in this pamphlet, most roadways within Hullett are considered as maintained, therefore you cannot have a loaded firearm while walking upon them. We hope that as you head out to Hullett you remember to bring along your common sense, courtesy, and sense of fair play. And if you have the opportunity, bring along a young person! They, too, can experience the great Ontario outdoors and benefit from a mentor such as you. We hope to see you there. DEANE WAITE

Joe Fralick
CONSERVATION OFFICER Bus (519) 482-3811 Cell (519) 441-0311

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES CLINTON OFFICE 100 Don St. Clinton, ON N0M 1L0 General Inquiry: (519) 482-3428

DID YOU know

more than one million individuals have successfully completed hunter education training.

DID YOU

Your Lumber & Building Materials Supply Centre

know...

O N TA R I O
198 Main Street, Seaforth

(519) 482-3997
6 H U L L E T T P R O V I N C I A L W I L D L I F E A R E A U S E R G U I D E

519-527-0770

fax

519-527-2600

...Ironwood is also known as Hop-hornbeam and that hornbeam means tough tree in old English.

See us today for your RENTAL EQUIPMENT

2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8 S E A S O N

W W W . H U L L E T T M A R S H . O R G

Rodents
R

DID YOU

odents are often viewed as pests and something to be rid of. However, rodents are a cornerstone to entire ecosystems. They are food for owls and carnivorous mammals and reptiles. They breakdown natural refuse (leaves and twigs), and eat large numbers of insects. Small mammals also burrow and create tunnels underground. This helps aerate the soil, and healthy soil is vital to a strong environment. Humans do not see many of these small mammals on a regular basis, due to their nocturnal behavior. They spend a great part of their lives underground, and they do not leave large tracks or signs of their presence and are fairly shy. However in the winter one is able to see small footprints and trails leading to and from trees, burrows and streams.

most of their lives underground in tunnels and burrows. Their front paws usually face outward which allows for easier burrowing. Moles have very small eyes, which are the size of a pinhead or less! In this part of Ontario you can find two different types of Talpidae; the Star Nosed Mole (Condylura cristata), which has a nose surrounded by fleshy like projections, and the Hairytail Mole (Parascalops breweri), which is the smallest of the eastern moles, only 140 mm or less in body length! The most familiar rodent is of course the mouse! Written about by the famous Robert Burns in a poem and mentioned in The Night Before Christmas, everyone knows about the mouse. There are several families of mouse found in the Hullett Marsh, the White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), and the very common Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), which belong to the family Cricetidae. The House Mouse (Mus musculus), which is part of the family Muridae along with the Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus), can be found anywhere humans have gone. The third family of mice found in Hullet are the jumping mice, family Zapodidae. The two species from this family at the Hullett Marsh are the Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius) and the Woodland Jumping Mouse (Napaeozapus insignis). The Woodland Jumping Mouse is known to be a good swimmer. Voles, which are, like the mouse, part of the Cricetidae family, can also be found at Hullett. The Boreal Redback Vole (Clethrionomys gapperi) and the Meadow Vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus) are both found in this area. Voles are very small and can be confused with mice, except for the fact that voles have very small ears while the ears of mice are very apparent. Voles also have much shorter tails. While all of these creatures are small among the great mammals of North America, without them many food chains would crumble and many birds, reptiles and mammals would not be able to sustain themselves. Small mammals are studied because they are easily trapped and handled, and they are good bio-indicators. This means that they are very sensitive towards slight changes in the environment, and their response to change could be taken as early warning signs. WE DELIVER DAILY TO CLINTON, BAYFIELD AND AREA

Hunting at Hullett

Rules and Regulations

Hunting is permitted at Hullett daily during open hunting seasons. All provincial and federal hunting regulations are in effect. Provincial and some federal regulations are contained in the latest issue of the Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary, which is available at offices of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and from license issuers. Migratory bird regulations can be found on the web following links starting at http://www.on.ec.gc.ca/wildlife/enforcement/hunting. In addition, there are several Regulations and Restrictions that apply specifically to Hullett. Zone A and Zone B Regulations and Restrictions outlined as follows: The Hullett Hunting Area is divided into two Wildlife Management Zones, Zone A and Zone B. The South Maitland River is the internal boundary between the two Zones. Other boundary lines are signed and/or adjacent to private property. line up in the Main Parking Lot on a first come, first served basis at one of the numbered parking barriers that corresponds to one of fifty (50) hunting stakes. After 5 a.m., hunters MUST proceed to the parking lot corresponding with the stake number they have selected to hunt from. Throughout the waterfowl season in Zone A: 1. You may hunt in Zone A ONLY if you park your vehicle in a NUMBERED space in Zone A designated parking lot. The number of your space permits you to hunt at the stake with the same number. Stake locations are shown on the accompanying map. If you are not hunting a stake you may not park in front of the numbered space. 2. A maximum of two (2) persons at one (1) stake and you must remain within a thirty (30) metre radius of your stake. 3. Shotguns must be UNLOADED AND ENCASED unless you are at your stake. 4. Legal game is defined by federal and provincial legislation. 5. Portable blinds may be used. No person shall cut any vegetation nor erect and leave a blind of any fashion in Zone A. 6. Decoys may be used in accordance with federal and provincial legislation. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Trail and channel markers are placed to help you find some stakes. The markers and stake numbers will show up in the beam of a flashlight. We urge all hunters to scout the area ahead of time and take a compass with you. Many stakes will be almost impossible to find in the dark unless you know the area well. Stakes numbered 1-50 are permanent locations. 9

DID YOU

know...

...collisions with wildlife have increased by 86% over the last ten years

ZONE A HUNTING REGULATIONS:

Zone A is a waterfowl only unit consisting of 1020 ha (2520 ac.) of land of which 680 ha (1680 ac.) are flooded with shallow open water. The average water depth within the five compartments is approximately 50 cm (20 in.) Within Zone A there are 50 Hunting Stations available. You may hunt in Zone A under the following conditions:

The first fifty (50) motor vehicles will qualify for the draw (UNOCCUPIED VEHICLES are not eligible). In the event that all fifty (50) stakes are not taken in the draw, the remaining stakes will be allocated on the first come, first served basis. Though two (2) people may occupy a hunting stake, only one (I) draw per vehicle will be permitted. Upon registration, hunters will receive a Hunter Validation/ Harvest Card (HV/HC), at which time hunters are to deposit a piece of identification (NOT any license required to hunt, possess firearms, or operate a vehicle) with the parking lot operator. Identification will be returned to the hunter at the conclusion of the hunt after his daily harvest has been checked. Information collected on birds checked is used for managing waterfowl in Ontario. The HV/HC MUST be displayed in a manner so that it can be easily seen, preferably on the dash of the vehicle. If there are any questions about this process, please call (519) 482-7011.

know...

...populations of meadowlarks and other farmland birds are falling because of suburban sprawl, industrial development, and the intensification of farming over the past 50 years.

Shrews are small mammals, which have a small pointed nose and 5 toes on each foot. The shrew is a part of the Insectivora order and the Soricidae family. There are 4 types of Shrew that can be found in Hullett: the Masked Shrew (Sorex cinereus), the Pygmy Shrew (Microsorex hoyi), the Smoky Shrew (Sorex fumeus) and the Short-tail Shrew (Blarina brevicauda). These small mammals are known for having an extremely high heart beat. In captivity some shrews have had a recorded heartbeat of 120 beats per minute. These animals, if handled inappropriately, will die of heart failure. Another small rodent species, which can be confused with shrews, are moles. Moles live

DID YOU

To hunt in Zone A on the general opening Saturday of Waterfowl season (this does not apply to the
early Goose season when scheduled): Hunters are required to participate in a draw conducted by the FOH and MNR. The intent of the draw is to ensure an equitable allocation of hunting opportunities and encourage a safe hunt for everyone. The draw takes place on Friday at noon (the day before opening day). To participate in the draw, waterfowl hunters must register at the Main Parking Lot for each days hunt. Registration time begins at 10 am Friday morning. The draw is made at 12 oclock noon. Draw Procedure: The draw determines the order of choice for hunting stakes, not the stake itself. 2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8

know...

...short-eared owls are very similar to northern harriers in the ecological niche they fill.

LANGFORD LUMBER HOME CENTRES

Bayfield Road, Clinton 519-482-3995
Value & Service you can Build on.
8 H U L L E T T P R O V I N C I A L W I L D L I F E A R E A U S E R G U I D E

To hunt in Zone A after opening day:

To provide a fair and equal opportunity to all hunters after the opening day of waterfowl season, hunters that arrive before 5:00 a.m. MUST:

Rules & Regulations continued on next page

S E A S O N

W W W . H U L L E T T M A R S H . O R G

Hunting Rules & Regulations continued from previous page

Wading in unfamiliar waters can be extremely dangerous. Chest waders will be required in most cases. Keep in mind that OPEN water can mean DEEP water, especially near dykes. Skybusting shows poor sportsmanship and results in crippled birds. This is strongly discouraged at Hullett. Know your shotgun and its limitations. Hunting waterfowl with lead shot is illegal, as inferred in the regulations made pursuant to the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Due to management practices, water levels may fluctuate and shorelines may change. Some stakes may be closed at the MNRs discretion during certain periods to restrict hunting activity near waterfowl banding sites. If done, notice will be posted at the parking space for that stake. A retriever or canoe will be necessary at many sites to ensure retrieval of all birds shot. Hunters are required to recover downed game. Access to Hunting Stakes: Walk-in (chest waders highly recommended): 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 27, 28, 30, 32, 34, 46, 48. Canoe recommended at all other stakes. NOTE: Some stakes may be shut down during the early goose season for waterfowl leg banding.

Federal and Provincial Legislation

is applicable and must be adhered to!
Regulations and Restrictions applying specifically to Hullett are as follows:
GENERAL REGULATIONS:
ALCOHOL CAMPING Alcohol is not allowed on public lands under Ontarios Liquor License Act. Camping is not permitted unless special permission is received from the Board of Directors and the OMNR. Commercial operations will not be located on the property. NO LITTERING! You are responsible for the removal of your own garbage. No monopolization of the area is permitted. All persons and/or groups are expected to remove any and all equipment they bring into the area. Motorized vehicles are permitted on maintained roads and parking lots only. Motor boats are NOT allowed, this includes electric motors. No parking from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Overnight parking will only be allowed in the Main Parking Lot (for opening day draw). Camper trailers will not be permitted. Public access or hunting is NOT permitted at any time within the sanctuaries posted under the Public Lands Act. Hunting is not permitted near maintenance buildings, or on neighbouring private land without the permission of the landowner. From March 1 to September 24 hunting is prohibited on or near the nature trails. Hunting is not permitted within 400 metres of waterfowl baiting locations. Inquire at the Marsh office for locations. Most roadways within Hullett are considered as maintained. It is illegal to have a loaded firearm within 8 metres of a maintained road or to hunt from a maintained road. Hunters are not exempt from any federal or provincial law with regards to firearms while hunting Hullett. No person shall cut or remove any plants or trees without permission from MNR. Dog training is permitted in: Zone A prior to May 15 and after August 1 with the appropriate licenses or permit from the MNR. Zone B prior to May 15 and after July 15 with the appropriate permit or license from the MNR. NOTE: Field Trials and Training that involve using birds during the closed season are prohibited except with proper permits or licenses from the MNR. HORSE ACCESS Horse access is permitted throughout the area EXCEPT in Zone A from October 1 to May 1 (for Zone A boundaries see map on page 12-13). ATVs are not permitted within the marsh except for management purposes. Snowmobiles are permitted only on marked snowmobile trails. Water access (for any purpose) is not permitted from May 15 to August 1, to minimize disturbances to nesting waterfowl. Dog trials, training, bird watching, horseback riding, contact the Hullett office at (519) 482-7011. W W W . H U L L E T T M A R S H . O R G 11

ZONE B HUNTING REGULATIONS:

Zone B is comprised of 1080 ha (2670 ac.) of upland habitat, interspersed with 14 wetland areas, 130ha (320 ac.) in size. All game for which there is an open season may be hunted with the following conditions: 1. From Sept 1 - Dec. 31 all hunters must park in one of 14 designated parking lots (identified by the letter P) and position their vehicle in front of an individual barrier. This parking space permits all hunters in the vehicle to hunt ANYWHERE in Zone B, BUT NOT in Zone A. 2. Night hunting for raccoon is illegal without proper license from OMNR, and coordination with the Friends of Hullett is requested. Additional Comments: Pheasants may be released at intervals through the fall hunting season and may be hunted. At times Bobwhite Quail may also be found on the property. At present, Quail may NOT be hunted.

COMMERCIAL OPERATION LITTERING MONOPOLIZATION

Hunting Opportunities for the Physically Challenged

MOTORIZED VEHICLES

ith the cooperative efforts of the Friends of Hullett, Ministry of Natural Resources and the Middlesex Hunting Retriever Club, two wheelchair accessible duck blinds are available at the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area. The original blind is located off the 21-42 parking lot. Ninety metres of boardwalk takes hunters to the blind that sits in a secluded opening surrounded by flooded timber. The small pond often has small flocks of wood ducks and mallards in it. The White tail swamp is close by and allows for good pass shooting. The second handicapped accessible blind is located off the 43-50 parking lot. This blind was finished in 2005 with the help of staff, volunteers and the Ministry of Natural Resources Stewardship Rangers. The gravel path and boardwalk total 1300 feet in length. The blind itself sits in one of a series of ponds. Cattails, flooded timber and nearby bush and agriculture fields make this area suitable for a variety of puddle ducks and Canadian geese. The motive behind creating a second blind was to offer the hunters not only a quality outdoor experience but also a choice. The Friends of Hullett hope users will find the new location an excellent choice for waterfowl hunting. These blinds are intended for use by the physically challenged that possess the proper identification! They may be accompanied by an able bodied companion, who may also hunt. We encourage you to visit the site, but please do not disturb the hunters if the blind is occupied.

PARKING

HUNTING

FIREARMS

DID YOU

know...

VEGETATION

DOG TRAINING

ATVs and SNOWMOBILES

To reserve a blind please contact the office at (519) 482-7011

WATER ACCESS

...since the 1999 emergence of West Nile Virus, there have been significant declines in the North American populations of American Crow, Blue Jay, Tufted Titmouse, American Robin, House Wren, Chickadee and Eastern Bluebird.

BOOKINGS FOR GROUP ACTIVITIES

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40874
Main Parking Lot

40677
Waterfowl Sanctuary Pintail Pool

The Hullett Wildlife Area

Kinburn
Burns Lin e

40905
1-20

81044
Wildlife L ine

Mallard Pool

ZONE B

ZONE A
Bluebill Pool White Tail Swamp

21-44

80910

81001

Legend
Handicapped Hunting Blind Parking lots Hunting Stakes

NO TRESPASSING
Conservati on Road

40536 40650
Butterball Pool

81105

Trails
Misc. White Blue Green Yellow

80754 40589
Woodie Pool

41494
Bluewing Pool Greenwing Pool

Orange Gold Brown Purple

80602
S
Front Ro ad

ZONE A ZONE B
South Mait la River nd

Huron R oad 15

45-50 Bridge Road

Canoe Launches Dykes Privies Viewing Stands Waterfowl Sanctuary

Whistler Pond

80591

ZONE A
th

Roads Wetland Water / Drainage

Sanctua ry Line

to Seafo r

Wooded Areas Private Property Office Complex H.P.W.A. Boundary

to Clinton

Waterfowl Sanctuary

40542

40672

80451
Hydro Lin e Road

41108 40988

S. Road 10

to Hwy # 8

Native Grasses

41378 41388
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GPS Information
STAKE LATITUDE LONGITUDE

for A Zone Hunting Stakes

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 38 14.07134 38 26.29855 38 27.33254 38 17.70236 38 12.02669 38 28.09723 38 27.15112 38 14.50044 38 02.89464 37 58.67049 37 52.73693 38 07.50675 38 14.65737 38 28.41147 38 16.44771 38 07.46596 38 01.03351 38 14.45967 38 21.03650 38 45.47616 37 44.11505 37 41.13982 37 29.1.6358 37 26.79510 37 14.21041 37 07.42647 37 19.58714 37 23.96061 37 31.16426 37 41.57484 37 35.54078 37 42.63447 37 39.78789 37 37.57995 37 32.47482 37 24.30122 37 16.55932 37 11.78796 37 02.79569 36 54.68912 36 52.89653 37 03.77839 36 53.61147 36 44.39046 36 41.63039 36 44.92815 36 56.07951 36 57.36667 37 09.73168 37 06.78437 27 24.83136 27 15.97100 26 55.55732 26 56.96792 26 56.57878 28 00.93796 27 47.88394 27 42.47007 27 47.56315 27 58.34073 28 00.43280 27 58.07236 27 52.78448 28 16.25886 28 10.24934 28 13.27532 28 24.86984 28 20.35804 28 27.66901 28 16.05059 28 17.58654 28 02.02365 27 56.43358 27 44.06183 27 35.59950 27 32.42823 27 21.64123 27 33.64969 27 20.98890 27 45. 75687 27 35.03063 27 30.28517 27 13.05365 26 43.03476 26 56.24194 26 57.62125 26 40.77437 27 02.30757 27 10.50491 27 24.90422 27 10.91987 26 52.46267 26 53.48546 26 55.62174 26 44.02574 26 38.57821 26 42.91570 26 27.15351 26 31.60772 26 24.34719

If your GPS unit has a limited number of digits, just round off to the closest digit. If you need the GPS co-ordinates in a different format, contact the Hullett office at 482-7011.
Readings in charts are minutes ( ), and seconds ( ). All Latitudes start with 43. All Longitudes start with 81.

The Trails
The Dyke Trail System
From the dykes at the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area you can see over most of the marsh. They are perfect for viewing waterfowl and wildlife such as beaver, muskrats, mink and deer. The dyke tops, sometimes rising 8 meters above the waters surface, are great locations for photographers and bird watchers. The HPWA provides habitat for over 180 species of birds and over 400 plant species. Length . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.6 km Level of Difficulty . . 1 Butterball Pool Loop Length . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.1 km Level of Difficulty . . 2 Bluewing Pool Trail Length . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.4 km Level of Difficulty . . 1 Bluebill Pool Trail White

Hullett
I

Turkeys at

that identify the different species of trees and shrubs, the different wildlife structures, wildlife habitats and more.

The Green Dragon Trail System

Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.7 km Level of Difficulty . . . 2 Another trail providing an excellent opportunity to witness the forest and meadow ecosystems and how they inter-relate. Take a moment to examine the wildlife around you. It will become clear how each ecosystem is equally and individually important. Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4 km Level of Difficulty . . . 2 An ancient Indian site occurs just east of this path which follows along the Menesetung, or Maitland (south) River. Also be wary of the Hullett Dragons! Green Dragons are a plant of special concern and are found in pockets along this trail. Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5 km Level of Difficulty . . . 3 Moving through the low bottomlands you will see a variety of trees. Hikers will also pass over a small stream. Careful not to get your feet wet! Brown Blue

n Ontario, turkey hunters spend an estimated 8.2 million dollars a year. This is amazing considering that by the early 1900s, in Canada, the wild turkey was nearly wiped out. Their numbers have increased due to strict hunting laws and reintroduction efforts. Wild turkeys can now be found throughout southern Ontario, including Hullett.

Fish
W

at Hullett

here there is permanent water there are bound to be fish. Although the ponds at Hullett do contain fish, they do not support a sport fishery. The fish species sought after by anglers arent available in any great size or abundance and it all relates to the conditions present in the ponds. The ponds at Hullett were designed to be shallow to provide better wetland conditions. The shallow conditions, along with decreasing water levels and increasing water temperatures during the summer puts limitations on fish production in the ponds. As well, because of the ice and snow cover, shallow nature of the ponds and the large amount of oxygen consumed by the decay of aquatic plants, low oxygen conditions often develop in the winter. This condition, known as winterkill, results in frequent die offs of many fish, especially larger ones that require more oxygen to survive. These die offs are very evident in the spring and are a natural occurrence in many shallow ponds and lakes. Despite the less than ideal conditions, the ponds at Hullett do contain suckers, pumpkinseed, brown bullheads and a variety of minnows. Despite the ponds lack of game fish, they do provide important food to fish-eating birds such as grebes, mergansers, herons and kingfishers. Although there are few fishing opportunities in the ponds themselves, the South Maitland River, which runs through the property, does contain smallmouth bass, forage species including members of the minnow, catfish and sucker families and even migrating trout and salmon.

These large game birds have keen eyesight and hearing. They are strong fliers and can run up to 29 km/hr over short distances. Due to their habitat, turkeys feed mainly on plants but will also eat fruits, berries, insects and spiders. They roost in trees at night but lay their eggs on the ground in a depression. To date there is a small turkey population at Hullett. Hullett was never a release site so birds that are here migrated to the area from nearby release sites. There have been some nice mature male Toms spotted but most of the small flock consists of immature males, or jakes, and hens. At Hullett the wild turkeys are often seen on spring mornings, north of Conservation Road, along the field edges foraging for food and strutting their stuff.

The Sugar Bush Trail System

Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3 km Level of Difficulty . . . 2 This originally deer-made path leads you through meadow and forest. It is an excellent location from which to observe the relationship between these two ecosystems. An old sugar shack, which was once used to make maple syrup, is found on this trail. Yellow Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.4 km Level of Difficulty . . . 2 This little extension of the Green trail makes for a nice loop through the sugar bush. Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.4 km Level of Difficulty . . . 2 This trail winds through lowland forest and hilly meadow. It is also bordered by agricultural fields and presents a good opportunity for wildlife viewing. While walking this trail you will be able to view raptor nests and wood duck boxes. Length . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.3 km Level of Difficulty . . . 2 This short trail can be used to create alternative loops. Hikers will find large hemlock trees along this trail. Purple Gold Green

River Walk Trail

Length . . . . . . . . . . . . .7.6 km Level of difficulty . . . 2 This trail follows the Maitland River along the dyke trails and over an old highway bridge. Beaver dams and lodges, osprey platforms and wood duck boxes are some of the animal homes that can be seen along the way. On this trail hikers will pass by significant waterfowl habitat.

Level of Difficulty
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Easy. For families with young children. Moderate. Wear comfortable & sturdy shoes. Some hills, natural path.

Complete selection of bow hunting supplies Ammunition & gun cleaning equipment Camouflage clothing & boots Outdoor 3-D target ranges

DID YOU

know

...wildlife causes some $45 million in crop damage each year, and the costs are increasing.

Low prices! Great service! WE ARE A P.S.E. FACTORY TRAINED SERVICE DEALER
HWY #4 KIPPEN

The Interpretive Trail

Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.8 km Level of Difficulty . . . 1 This trail is located at the Hullett office complex. Along the trail there are many interpretive signs

NOTE: Time to complete is based on an average adult pace of 4 km per hour. Individual times may vary with grade, ground conditions & ability of the participant. W I L D L I F E A R E A

519-263-2141
2 0 0 7 - 2 0 0 8 S E A S O N

519-273-6226
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Spotlight
OWLS
O
wls are known for their haunting of the night. Often

on resident species at the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area

the daylight hours. This owl stands about 35 cm high and has a wingspan of 41 cm. A peculiar trait is that it nests on the ground, whereas most other owls nest above ground level. The Eastern Screech Owl (Otus asio) is commonly found in the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area sleeping in duck boxes during the winter months. This is a very small owl, only reaching a maximum height up to 25 cm and a wingspan of 55 cm. This owl can tighten up its feathers in order to camouflage itself to look like a stick when it feels threatened. This owl uses forest edges and riparian areas to hunt and will avoid densely forested areas, for the reason that the Great Horned Owl primarily uses that habitat. The Northern Saw-Whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) is a very passive bird. This owl is very small - its length is between 12 and 21 cm, it has a wingspan averaging 50 cm and only weighs up to 110 grams. This owl has a black beak, and has a white underbelly, with brown splotches. This owl uses the sit-and-wait technique when hunting. While these owls may be hard to spot while enjoying the outdoors at the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area, they are present and are an integral part of the forest and marsh ecosystem. They help control small mammal populations and insect numbers. Their presence also signals that the environment here is healthy and that large predators are able to survive. So, as long as you can hear their hoots and twittering on occasion, you know that at least one part of the wild is thriving here at Hullett Marsh.

Here is a brief description of the owls that can be found in the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area. The Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca) is perhaps the most famous owl. (This may be due to its appearance in the everpopular Harry Potter books and movies.) This owl is 5065 cm tall with a wingspan of 1.5 m. The males of this species are a bright snowy white, while the females may have brown vertical bars across their bodies. Both sexes have a round head with brilliant yellow eyes. This owl will occasionally let out a very loud hooting sound, but is usually silent. These owls feed on mice, and must eat about 350 small rodents a month to sustain themselves. The Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) can have a wingspan of 1.2 meters and weigh more than 2 kg, with a height of 50 cm. The males and females have similar plumage, a gray underside banded darkly, with white chest feathers. Their facial disk is a tawny orange. These owls have tufts of feathers a-top their head resembling horns or ears, thus their name. This owl will make its home in a forested and semi-forested area. This owl does not migrate at all; most owlets never leave the general area in which they were hatched, and they will stay within an 80 km radius of their birth-nest. The Long Eared Owl (Asio otus) stands about 35 cm high, has a wingspan of about 96 cm and physically resembles the Great Horned Owl, both which sport ears. However, the Long Eared Owl is much smaller, has lateral barring on its underside and lacks a white bib. This owl lives in thickets and woodlands but will hunt in open fields, flying low over the vegetation. The Short Eared Owl (Asio flammeus) has buff brown plumage with dark streaking on the back, chest and underside. This owl can be seen in broad daylight as compared to other owls that usually remain hidden during

they are feared as evil creatures. But all of this is nonsense; the owl is an amazing bird, one of great power, speed, agility, stealth and poise. In The Hullet Provincial Wildlife Area, several species of owl can be found, they are the Snowy Owl, Great Horned Owl, Long Eared Owl, Short Eared Owl, Eastern Screech Owl, and the Northern Saw-Whet Owl. Owls are characterized by the fact that they are carnivorous, have hooked beaks, large curved claws, and they swallow their food whole. Another owl characteristic is that they cannot move their eyes; in order to change their view they must rotate their head. Owls can turn their head a phenomenal 270 each way, and 90 vertically! Owls also have excellent vision when it comes to seeing great distances, particularly during the night. This helps them locate prey in the distance. But they are farsighted and cannot see clearly at close range, just a few inches in front of their face. These predators locate their prey by using sight and sound. Owls use hearing to center in on their prey, which are often under the cover of leaves or snow. An owls hearing is particularly good since they have a facial disk. This (facial disk) is an arrangement of feathers that protrude slightly around the face forming a disk, with the beak being the center. This is thought to allow sounds to be reflected back into the owls ears, and therefore allowing the bird to locate its prey with great precision. Once owls have located their prey, they fly silently so as not to frighten away their prey, they then land on their prey with their claws to prevent escape.

InteriorForests at Hullett I

nterior forests are vital for the survival of many forest birds and animals in southern Ontario. As a result, the Friends of Hullett, with financial support from the National Wild Turkey Federation and the OMNR Community Fisheries and Wildlife Improvement Program, have been increasing the amount of interior forest at Hullett. Within forests there are many physical and biological functions that occur. Microclimates along the edge of woodlands are sunnier, warmer, windier and drier and experience more dramatic environmental change. These conditions reduce the diversity and abundance of insects and other invertebrates that are important food for wildlife. Edge zones have also been shown to have more disease, invasive species and predators than forest interiors. The extent to which these edge effects penetrate into a forest varies in width depending on what is being measured. As a rule of thumb, though, managers consider edge effects to penetrate 100m into a forest. These edge effects result in a decrease in the number of animals sensitive to these conditions, increased nest predation rates, increased nest parasitism rates and an overall decrease in wildlife diversity. In southern Ontario, interior forests contain red bats, red squirrels, barred owls, pileated woodpecker, red trilliums, spring beauties, scarlet tanager, ruffed grouse, and wild turkey. In comparison, the wildlife found in edge habitats includes robins, raccoons, opossums, glossy buckthorn and brown-headed cowbirds. A large mature tract of forest currently exists on the north west side of Hullett. By filling in 4.5 hectares found within the tract, the Friends of Hullett will drastically increase the amount of interior forest from 5 hectares to 20 hectares. This will result in improved forest health and greater variety and abundance of animals.

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The Successful Prescribed Burn of

Scot Russell
Outreach Coordinator Friends of Hullett

Native GrassPlots
(decomposing layers of organic matter), eradicate invasive weeds and woody plants, and renew and sustain the grasses and the habitat within. Upon meeting the objectives, the tallgrass prairie environment, utilized by wildlife for shelter and food, should thrive. The growth point of the native grass species lies underground and was not affected by the blaze at the surface at all. As a precursor to the burn, each plot had a 2-meter wide section mowed around the perimeter. In addition, firebreaks of 1.5 meter wide were made by a chisel plow to prevent the fire from escaping. At 11:20 am, the initial fire was ignited by drip torch at 81044 Wildlife Line. Weather was closely monitored to ensure the safety of the community, fire crew and support staff. Weather conditions are crucial to several key factors of the burn. Burn Boss, Jack Chapman and his fire crew executed the plan without a hitch, and by 3:00 p.m. the 5 plots at the Wildlife Line site were determined extinguished and the burn crew and support staff were ready to tie into a fine lunch. Friends of Hullett board members Duane Inkpen and Jim Bayne provided an excellent BBQ that was enjoyed by all present. Lunch was brought to a halt suddenly, however, when clouds were noticed on the horizon, threatening to bring adverse weather into the area jeopardizing the completion of the project. The crew set off to 40672 Hydro Line Road to complete the burn, which they were able to do by 6:00 pm.

pril 30th saw the culmination of a 3year active quest to burn the tallgrass prairie at Hullett realized. In the end, the endeavor was judged a success. Weather prospects looked less than ideal as the morning began with humidity, wind speed and wind direction being major concerns. With the forecast calling for rain the next couple of days, it was possible the burn may be postponed indefinitely. Mother Nature was on our side however, as the front stalled and left us a window to complete the job.

About one week after the burn, the fields began to show new growth. By one months time, the field was grown in and completely green again. It was amazing to see the fields transformation from thick, dull, and brown to charred black, and finally to green and vibrant. Weve been monitoring the sites on a weekly basis, taking digital photos and walking tours to make sure invasive, noxious weeds have been eradicated and tree growth stunted. This examination will continue until a full conclusion can be made. Once complete data has been collected and analyzed, another prescribed burn may be in the cards in the near future, as well as a more regular maintenance schedule. It remains to be seen if this course of action is employed, or if

another alternative is tried. Alternate maintenance programs that may be adopted in other areas include mowing,

DID YOU

know...

...members of the deer family can run at speeds of 70 km/hr and jump objects 3 metres tall.

DID YOU

know...

...that bats are the only mammal capable of true flight due to extreme modification of the forelimb.

Representatives of the Friends of Hullett, Huron Stewardship Council, Rural Lambton Stewardship Council, Central Huron Fire Department and neighbouring landowners were on hand to carry out the burn. The burn area consisted of 5 plots, or burn blocks, a total of 5.4 hectares at 81044 Wildlife Line as well as 2 burn blocks, a total of 5.8 hectares at 40672 Hydro Line Rd. Ducks Unlimited planted the cultivated variety of tall grass in 1999. This was done to offer cover and nesting for waterfowl. Tall grass once covered 1000 km2 in Ontario. Now only 21 km2 can be found in 130 remnant sites scattered across the province. (Tallgrass Ontario www.tallgrassontario.org) The objective of the low complexity prescribed burn was to promote the health of the tallgrass prairie species and their seedbeds at Hullett. To this end, it was necessary to remove biomass

Smoke from the fire could be seen from Blyth to the north and Dublin (20 km away) to the southeast. Numerous onlookers drove by as we progressed with the burn and media from the Clinton News-Record and CKNX television reported on the event. It is to be seen if the prescribed burn meets the objectives set out by the Friends of Hullett and Ducks Unlimited. Hullett Manager, Mat Shetler and his staff will reassess the grassland areas to assure the objectives of the burn were met.

Parker House Motel

77575 London Rd., Clinton, ON

use of agricultural disc, or the application of pesticides. Each management method has advantages and disadvantages. If decided upon, the prescribed burn may become a regular spring occurrence at Hullett, as it has been in places like the Pinery Provincial Park. Well have to wait to see how the story will unfold.

(519) 482-3469
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RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL BUILDING CONTRACTORS SAND & GRAVEL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

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Matt McCann
Box 100, R.R. 5 Stratford, Ontario N5A 6S8

Office (519) 271-0353 Fax (519) 271-5742 Mobile (519) 801-0384

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ONTARIO
Gun Services

WaterfowlNestingBoxes
D
ucks Unlimited Canada has nearly 12,000 duck nesting boxes installed throughout Ontario and of these, there are 147 nest boxes installed on the Provincially Significant Wetlands of the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area. The remaining boxes in Ontario are installed on a mixture of private and public lands. The benefit of installing nesting boxes for cavity nesting waterfowl lies in providing nesting opportunities in areas where there are few cavity nesting sites. This lack of cavity nest sites may result in areas where mature standing timber near wetlands is not present or has been removed or in areas where the standing dead timber has decayed and fallen down. After installation, all of the nest boxes must be maintained on an annual basis. This means that they must be cleaned out over each fall or winter, checked for nesting success and replenished with new wood shavings. The Friends of Hullett volunteers and staff, in partnership with Ducks Unlimited Canada, undertake all of the regular maintenance and monitoring of the boxes installed at Hullett. Landowners, volunteers and private contractors all help to maintain and monitor the many nest boxes installed throughout Ontario. Upon inspecting the contents of a nest box, the presence of light-coloured duck down, small eggshell fragments and wood shavings mixed together can indicate that a hen has successfully hatched her eggs during the last breeding season. An important part of the monitoring job is to collect information, filling out a survey sheet and sending them into the local DUC office so that DUC and other staff can track the success of the nest box program. Recently, the Canadian Wildlife Service and DUC have embarked on a project to take the historical nest box data including thousands upon thousands of individual nest box records, to use the information in Jeff Krete building a database of nesting box success that will hopefully provide key information Ducks Unlimited about success of the Ontario DUC nesting Canada box program.

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Although this project is in its infancy, some interesting results have been derived from a subset of 2,418 surveys. The data indicates that where boxes are used by waterfowl, the following species are represented: 23% by wood ducks 18% by hooded merganser 3% by goldeneye 29% of boxes are used by other birds

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Where boxes have been used by waterfowl species (44% of all use) the average nest success rate is an impressive 77%! It certainly appears that many waterfowl species benefit from the hard work of all of the people involved in installing and caring for the many boxes at Hullett and throughout Ontario.

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STRATFORD, ON

SUPERIOR SEALERS
RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL DRIVEWAYS & PARKING LOTS ASPHALT SEALING LINE PAINTING TENNIS COURTS CRACK FILLING SWEEPING

owned and operated by

James Butcher

Windows Doors Roofing Vinyl & Aluminum Siding Soffit & Fascia Fencing Seamless Eavestrough

Mark Wolfe

ph (519) 273-4560 fax (519) 271-5705

333 Huron Street Stratford, ON N5A 5T3 21

24 HR EMERGENCY SERVICE
Also Available
Faux Finishing Interior Design Murals Colour Consultations

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Lakeshore Rd.

ach Saturday, beginning with the regular opening day of waterfowl season, there will be two guided Allen hunts for ducks and geese within the 2519 normally restricted Whitetail Swamp.

Guided Hunt in the Whitetail Swamp E

The hunts take place in a flooded timber area of Hullett Marsh where hunters are not allowed access to at any other time of the season. At times, this swamp holds thousands of ducks and the two hunting stakes are placed in an area that is very attractive to them. The hunts begin at the legal shooting time and will end at 1:00 pm. Two hunters, along with a volunteer guide and dog, will hunt from each stake. The guides provide decoys and a trained retriever. The selected hunters must be in good physical condition and able to wade in knee to hiphigh water. The hunters provide their own guns, ammunition, waders, camouflage

clothing, and refreshments. No alcohol will be tolerated. Each of the hunters are allowed their legal limit of ducks and geese. No ducks are to be shot and allotted to the guides limit. Mallards, Teal, and Woodies are the species most frequently harvested. The hunters are chosen by lottery on July 31 for each year. To enter the lottery, one hunter must submit a cheque for $150.00 to the Friends of Hullett prior to July 31. Each hunter is allowed only one draw. Successful applicants are notified soon after the draw, in the order in which they are drawn, and asked to schedule one of the available hunting dates. Depending on the season, 14 to 18 hunts occur. The $150 is the cost for two hunters for the chosen day. All applicants will be notified by phone. All the money raised through the hunts goes directly to the Hullett Marsh. The guides are volunteers and are not paid from the proceeds. If you want a unique hunting experience and would like to help raise money for Hullett, please apply. Send cheques to the address in the sidebar.

Species at Risk at the Hullett Marsh Provincial Wildlife Area A

nyone who visits the Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area (HPWA) is bound to discover the richness of wild plant and animal life found within the various habitats of the Marsh. An amazing multitude of species resides here on either a permanent or temporary basis throughout the year. Of these, there are particular species whose populations are at risk of extinction to some degree, on a provincial and/or national level. The prevalence of Species at Risk (SAR) at the Hullett Marsh has become an issue of increasing importance, and a focal point of the work currently being done at the HPWA. The status of Species at Risk is monitored and assessed by a number of provincial and national organizations, including the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), the Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO) and the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC). Species are categorized based on their relative abundance as one of the following: Not at Risk; Special Concern/(Vulnerable) (species sensitive to human activities or natural events); Threatened (at risk of becoming Deborah endangered); Endangered (facing imminent Nizman extinction or extirpation); Extirpated (species no longer exists in the wild in a specific locale Species at Risk but still exists elsewhere); Extinct (species no Technician longer exists anywhere); and Data Deficient/ (Indeterminate) (insufficient information exists for a status recommendation). Species at Risk have had their populations jeopardized due to an array of potential factors, such as degradation and loss of habitat, both natural and human-induced, environmental changes, competition with other species, and human activities and persecution. There are eleven (11) confirmed SAR within the HPWA, and another seven (7) unconfirmed species which may be at risk or susceptible to land use impacts within the Marsh. With the role of the HPWA as a consumptive and non-consumptive resource that is used extensively by the public, it is imperative that we learn more about the specific influences our actions have on established sensitive areas, and find ways to address their needs in association with our own. As part of our initiative to accomplish this aim of recognizing Species at Risk within the context of the Hullett Marsh, we are working to identify the key areas in which SAR occur on the property. We will then use this information to create a Species at Risk Management Plan, which will serve to adapt appropriate management techniques as part of the Hullett Wildlife Habitat Management Plan. In this way, we can ensure that the priorities associated with Species at Risk are respected while maintaining a balance in the enjoyment of our natural resources.

Brights Grove ON N0N 1C0 ph (519) 869-4723 eallen@ebtech.net

Donations requested

Items needed at Hullett

The Friends of Hullett are always looking at ways to reduce costs and serve our users better. One way to do this is to have items donated to us.

If you have items that are in good shape but have no use for, consider donating them to the Friends.

Uplands Pheasantry
Canadas Largest Pheasant Farm
5731 Imperial Road RR#2, Aylmer, ON N5H 2R2 ph 519/ 773-8151 fax 519/ 765-3673 email uplands@amtelecom.net

We are particularly interested in prizes for the Pheasant Challenge, canoes & paddles, steel posts & t-bars, wood chips, lumber, plywood, rolled aluminum & other building material, paint (brown, yellow & green), step ladders, work gloves, bird seed, corn and binoculars. The Friends are also interested in having trees and flowers donated in the spring. If you would like to donate any of these items or have something else you think would be useful to Hullett please contact the office at (519) 482-7011.

DID YOU

know...

Come visit our meet & greet room for a meal baked goods frozen treats fresh produce catering gifts, etc. Open Easter to Christmas

...the Ontario government has passed new legislation to provide increased protection for the provinces species at risk.

Proud Supplier to the Friends of Hullett

ph 519-482-1666 fax 519-482-8268

77697 Orchard Line, RR#1, Bayfield, ON N0M 1G0 www.bayfieldberryfarm.on.ca

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A Message fromT
ullett Marsh is one of a number of Provincial Wildlife Areas managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources in southern Ontario. This user guide provides information on the diverse Mike Malhiot array of high-quality hiking, bird-watching, BIOLOGIST hunting and outdoor recreational ACTING opportunities that are available on the site. AREA SUPERVISOR HURON/PERTH With 5400 acres of land, the property can ONTARIO MINISTRY OF offer unique experiences for your outdoor NATURAL RESOURCES enjoyment. Explore and enjoy all that P.O. Box 819 Hullett has to offer!
100 Don Street The property consists of a diverse array of Clinton, ON N0M 1L0 wildlife habitat highlighted by a man-

HE

HURON/PERTH AREA TEAM

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

been developed to identify how the Areas habitat features are to be managed. This plan is intended to establish longterm direction for land management decision-making, to identify what actions are needed, and to assist with determining priorities for operational implementation. The plan was released in the early summer of 2007, and was placed on the governments Environmental Registry for public comment. The comment period will have ended by the time this user guide is printed. Please feel free to obtain an electronic copy of the plan from the Friends of Hullett (FOH) or MNR, and let us know if you have any comments on our management activities. The FOH provide an essential service at Hullett through the development and delivery of their programs, and their ability to hire staff. On behalf of MNR I am pleased to recognize all the accomplishments of the Other 3% Marsh / Friends, their members and directors, and the Hullett staff. The efforts of Open water these dedicated people provide an 29% impressive array of high quality services at the Marsh. Please join me in thanking them!

Hullett Wear

By purchasing Hullett Marsh merchandise, you are both supporting & promoting the FoH & the Hullett Marsh.
Orange Hats . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 800 Cotton Hats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1500 Oilskin Hats . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2000 Camo Hats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2000 Orange T-shirts . . . . . . . . . . . 1300 T-shirts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1500 XXL T-shirts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800 Polo shirts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2500 XXL Polo shirts . . . . . . . . . . . 2800 Short sleeves . . . . . . . . . . . . 4000 Long sleeves . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4500 Hunter Safety Vests . . . . . at cost

Available!

Should you have any comments or questions, please write to the FOH at their address as listed on the membership page in this publication, or to myself at the address on this page. We look forward to, and appreciate, your contribution, participation,

made system of shallow marshes, and naturally occurring hardwood Woodlots & swamps. They Hedgerows accompany the 19% floodplain of the South Maitland River, all of There is always more that can which is be done on the property. If you bordered by enjoy the activities that are Old r o l l i n g Wildlife Habitat Fields available at Hullett, perhaps u p l a n d s 24% you would be interested in Components at comprised of Swamp & playing a role to enable additional the HPWA woodlots, grass Floodplain projects and services to occur. The meadows and 9% Friends are always looking for more agricultural fields. The Agricultural Fields active members who share their interest 16% chart on this page in making the property the best it can be. All identifies the composition of users of Hullett have the opportunity to become a the habitat types that exist at Hullett. member of the Friends, and attend their annual general meeting to discuss and direct their programs and activities.

Hullett Provincial Wildlife Area no longer receives complete operational Provincial Support from the Become The province of Ontario. a member However, with the cooperation of the Minister of Finance, financial mechanisms are in place which allow

raised on-site, to remain on-site. Therefore, your financial contribution goes directly towards REGISTER funds programs and facility management of the HPWA. NOW We are asking the users of Hullett, to aid us in raising money by purchasing a Membership to Friends of Hullett. For a $25.00 donation, you will receive a decal for your vehicle and be placed on our mailing list for our quarterly newsletter and are entitled to vote for directors and approve budget proposals at the annual general meeting. Also remember the receipt is tax deductible. If you value HPWA as much as we do, this is a small price to help maintain this valuable resource. (Income tax receipts will be issued) Cut out & mail to: Friends of Hullett PO Box 1520 Clinton, ON N0M 1L0

Thank you for your support! Become a member for only $25/yr

REGISTRATION FORM
Only $25 per year
(Income tax receipts will be issued)

Help maintain the marsh!

BECOME A MEMBER OF FRIENDS OF HULLETT

and ideas. A Wildlife Habitat Management Plan has

Marsh Interests
What kind of activities do you like to do at the marsh? (check all that apply) hike bird watch hunt canoe horseback ride

U
the time to share them with us. We are always looking for new ideas and solutions.

Name _______________________________________

FULL IN-HOUSE DESIGN & EMBROIDERY CENTRE

proud suppliers of Hullett Marsh

12 main street seaforth, on n0k 1w0 ph 519-527-2055 fax 519-527-2069 1-888-343-diva diva@tcc.on.ca
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Full Address __________________________________ _____________________________________________ Email _______________________________________ Ph # ________________________________________ Fax # ________________________________________

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If you have any If you are a hunter, what are your hunting interests? comments, (check all that apply) pheasant duck geese rabbit other ____________________ suggestions or concerns please take Are you interested in participating in the workdays at the marsh? yes no Are you currently a member of a club or organization that makes use of the marsh and its facilities? yes no If yes, please list names of clubs or organizations: ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ 25

CANADIAN MADE

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Proud to support the Friends of the Hullett Marsh

190 Thames Road E., EXETER 208 Suncoast Drive, GODERICH 8 Industrial Road, ST. MARYS 603 Romeo Street, STRATFORD

519-235-0290 519-524-8389 519-284-1090 519-273-0650

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Phil Iannarella
SALES MANAGER

We lease ALL Makes & Models

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