The Huron Expositor, 1988-09-28, Page 21I
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, OCTOBER 5, 1988 — 3A
A PAIR OF HUNTERS and their retriever make their way through
the Hullett marsh to the swamps where the waterfowl will come
home at night. Hundreds of hunters will visit the wildlife conserva-
tion area over the next few weeks of hunting season. On opening
day there were about 450 hunters in the swamps, and 158 were
hunting waterfowl in the designated waterfowl zone. They ac-
counted for 900 ducks on opening day alone. Corbett photo.
Flocks of waterfowl and hunters
take to the Hullett swamps
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Crouched in cover, wearing camouflage
and ammo belts; barely visible but for a
face and the business end of a shotgun ris-
ing out of the tall grass.
Hundreds of such figures can be found in
the Hullett wildlife management area
-hunters who are getting in on the first
weeks of hunting season.
They come from Toronto,' Kitchener,
and across the southwestern Ontario area
to hunt. Many leave their beds at 3 a.m. in
favor of the swamps so they can be set up
and ready for the ducks as they leave the
swamp at dawn.
During the day all is mostly quiet over
the swamp as the waterfowl spend 'their
time feeding, and some hunters try their
luck walking through other areas of I'te
conservation land in search of some of the
stocked pheasant. But when night comes
down the waterfowl return to the swamp,
and the air is thick with thousands of birds
and the heavy sounds of shotgun fire.
Robert Gibson, a resource technician
and deputy conservation officer with the
Ministry of Natural Resources, says this
popular sport attracted approximately 450
people to Hullett on opening day
September 24, and J58 of these were in the
waterfowl zone. These hunters accounted
for an estimated 900 waterfowl on the first
day alone.
There are about 9,000 waterfowl in the
wildlife area, and about 7,000 of these
spend their nights in the sanctuary where
they are safe from hunters, and are fed
corn supplied by the MNR.
About 2,400 pheasant will be released in-
to area this year for the hunting season,
600 for opening day alone. While most of
these will be taken by hunters, their being
hunted relieves stress on natural pheasant
populations.
A TYPICAL HUNTER
Francis Six of Strathroy was out hunting
last Friday, and shortly after arriving at
about 4 p.m. he decided to head out to
catch the flocks as they came in for the
night. He dons chest waders and
camouflage, grabs his rifle and a small
plastic chest with many pockets for shells
etc, and a compartment to put any game
In, and after filling a sack full of decoys
and sets off on foot.
About 20 minutes later he arrives at the
post he has chosen. He can shoot any legal
game as long as he stays within 30 yards of
his stake. His shotgun has a maximum
range of only about 40 yards and there are
kilometers of swamp around him. So he's
going to have to get the ducks to come to
him, and that's where the challenge in
duck hunting lies.
He wades into the swamp and sets out
his decoys. He knows his prey will only
land facing into the wind, and he considers
where they will most likely land as he
placeshis decoys. Then he finds a spot
where he will be able to get a shot at the
ducks when they come in, but where he is
hidden from their sharp eyes. After that
it's just a waiting game. Eventually the
waterfowl will come in from the fields,
ponds and creeks where they go during the
day. Turn to page I5A •
WAITING FOR DUSK - Francis Six of Strathroy sits in his blind and waits for night to fall
and the chance to get a shot at some of the waterfowl returning to the swamp for the
night, Once the sun goes down he is allowed only half an hour of hunting. Corbett
photo.
_ -'
.-s 1 , u,
. v.
3 -
RETRIEVING - Many waterfowl hunters
have dogs to do this task for them, but this
hunter has to run to catch what he shoots
down himself. Corbett photo.
A BIRD IN HAND, Francis Six takes a se-
cond to catch his breath after running to
find the bird he brought down. Corbett
photo.
SETTING DECOYS - Francis Six places his decoys in what he feels are the most likely positions to attract waterfowl.
THOUSANDS OF WATERFOWL can be seen at the Hullett swamp at this time of year,
and right now wildlife management personnel estimate there are 9,000 birds at Hullett,
and 7,000 of these spend their nights in the bird sanctuary where they are safe from
hunters and are fed corn. Corbett photo.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
M you're orgontztng a non-profit event of Interest to other Seaforth area residents, phone
the recreation office 5274)082 or the E.xpostt0r et 527-0240, or mall the information to Com -
Wady Calendar, The Huron Expositor, Box 09, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK f W1) waN in advance
Oldie scheduled dale. Space for the Odrrinturtlty Calendar is donated by The Huron Expositor.
Wed., Oct. 5
1 • 3 p.m. Moms & Tots Skating
1:30.4 p.m. • Shuffleboard
4:30-5:30 p.m. - Tween Practice
5:30-6:30 p.m. - Novice Practice
6:30 p.m. - Beginners Broomball
7 p.m. - Jr. Girls Broomball
7:30 p.m. • The Huron Genealogical
Branch of O.G.S. wtti meet in the board
room in the Goderich Assessment Bldg.
We will have Mr. Robert Tremain, Direc-
tor/Curator of the Lambton Heritage
Museum, who is working on a Grand Bend
History Book and outline their methods of
collecting material, particularly in photo
histories.
8-10 p.m. - Adult Volleyball at High School
6=9 p.m. • Fitness if Fun at Arena
8 p.m. - Perth vs Queens (Broomball)
8:50 p.m. - Parr Line vs Commercial
(Broomball)
9:40 p.m. - Jr. Farmers vs Winthrop
(Broomball)
10:30 p.m. - Centenaires P r
Thurs. Oc.t. A
810-9 30 a.m. • Fitness Is Fun at <
1:45 r m. - Senior Citizens monthly meeting
at 5.rafortn Lr lion
4 30-5:30 p.m Peewee Practice
5:30-6:30 p.m. • Atom Practice
7:30-9:30 p.m. - Adult Basketball at High
School
7:30 p.m. - Parr Line vs Royals (Broomball)
8:20 p.m. - Chiselhurst vs River Rats
(Broomball)
9:10 p.m. - Rustlers vs Raiders (Broomball)
10 p.m. • Grads vs Dumpers (Broomball)
10:50 p.m. • Winthrop vs Knights
(Broomball)
Easy Riders Sit Out
Fri., Oct. 7
4-8 p.m. • Power Skating
Sat., Oct. 8
9 a.m. - Tap Dance at High School
8-9 a.m. - Midget Practice
9-10 a.m. - Bantam Practice
10-11 a.m. - Peewee Practice
11 a.m.-12 Noon - Atom Practice
12 Noon -1 p.m. - Novice Practice
1:30 p.m. - Story Hour at Library
1-2 p.m. - Mites Practice
2-3 p.m. - Bunny/Novice Ringette
3-4 p.m. - Petite Ringette
4-8 p.m. - Power Skating
Sun., Oct. 9
12 Noon -1 p.m. - Tween/Junior Ringette
4-8 p.m. - Power Skating
Mon., Oct. 10
4:30-8:30 p.m. - Power Skating
7:30-9:30 p.m. - Furniture Refinishing
10-11 p.m. • Midget Practice
Tues., Oct. 11
8:30-9:30 a.m. - Fitness Is Fun at Arena
5:30-7:30 p.m. - Power Skating - two
groups only
7:30-9:30 p.m. - Microwave Cooking at
High School
7:30 p.m. - Ringette Meeting - Everyone
welcome
- Seaforth Hospital Auxiliary
Meeting In the Hospital Board Room.
Please bring a small pumpkin, a gourd or
Indian corn for roll call.
8 p.m. - Seaforth Women's Institute Public
Relations meeting at Seaforth Legion.
Each member Is to bring her husband or
friend and two more for a table of cards.
Lunch will be served.
8:30 p.m. - Jr. D's vs Tavistock - Home
Opener
Wed., Oct. 12
4:30-6:30 p.m. - Power Skating - two
groups only
7:30 p.m. - Minor Hockey Meeting
7:30 p.m. Sharp - Seaforth Horticultural
Society Invited to tour Van Egmond House
8 p.m. - Seaforth Horticultural Society
Meeting in Van Egmohd Interpretive
Centre. Landscape architect Ken Buck of
K.W. Buck and Assoc. to speak on Vic-
torian gardens. Apple fritters and cider.
Everyone welcome.
8-9 p.m. - Fitness is Fun at Arena
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