Hunting (2021 draft)
Due to Covid-19, all in person hunting draws are suspended. As new hunting draw processed are developed, they are posted on our website below. Please pay attention to draw date deadlines. To those hunters who currently receive emails from us, you will be emailed once this information is available. Thank you for your continued patience as we navigate this time.
Essex Region Conservation manages five hunting programs, each with their own details and regulations.
Deer Hunting
Fees:
- Public Draw Entry Fee: $17.00 (taxes included)
- 10-24 acre woodlot: $678.00 (taxes included)
- 25-49 acre woodlot: $960.50 (taxes included)
- 50 acre plus woodlot: $1243.00 (taxes included)
ERCA has approximately 10 woodlots of varying sizes throughout the Essex Region that it rents to hunters with valid Ministry of Natural Resources permits in place to hunt White Tail Deer. Hunting is permitted by ground or tree stands and is bow only – no guns. 10-24 acre woodlot – 2 hunters permitted, 25-49 acre woodlot – 3 hunters permitted, 50 acre plus – 4 hunters permitted. Registration for the draw closes on July 9th, 2021 and hunters will be chosen randomly using a independent randomizer software and contacted in order until all hunting locations are sold. Hunters that are successful in obtaining a woodlot will be required to pay all fees soon after the draw. Permits will be mailed to successful hunters after permit applications are deemed complete and full payment is made. Witnesses will be present while the random hunter selection process occurs to ensure a transparent random draw occurs.
Deer Hunting rules and regulations PDF
Hunting Maps
An overview map of available hunting locations is available here
Big Creek Waterfowl Hunting
Fee:
- Minimum Bid: $904 (taxes included)
ERCA rents 5 seasonal waterfowl hunting blinds in Big Creek on a yearly basis. Waterfowl hunting will be permitted 7 days a week: from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. Please Note – Each permit holder will be responsible for construction and upkeep the blinds. To bid on Big Creek Seasonal Hunting Blind(s), please complete and submit the bid form below before July 16th, 2021 Notice to all hunters who submit a bid form will be provided by July 31st 2021. It is strongly recommended that you use the map to go and visit the sites in order to have an understanding of what you are bidding on.
Big Creek Waterfowl Hunting Rules and Permit Application
Big Creek hunting blind locations map
Cedar Creek Waterfowl Hunting
Fees:
- Seasonal Blind Fee: $1113.00/year (taxes included)
ERCA has 5 Cedar Creek Blinds that allow waterfowl hunting 7 days a week: from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. Blinds are sold on a first come first serve basis and are rented for a 5 year period, but are invoiced yearly. As of June 17th, 2021, blind 5 is available for rent. Please Note – Each permit holder will be responsible for construction and upkeep the blinds and blinds sites are only accessible by boat.
Cedar Creek Waterfowl Hunting Rules and Permit Application
Cedar Creek hunting blind locations map
Hillman Marsh Waterfowl Hunting
Fees:
- Public Draw Entry Fee: $17.00 (taxes included)
- Seasonal Blind Fee: $711.90 (taxes included)
Hillman Marsh Conservation Area rents approximately 20 seasonal waterfowl hunting blinds each year. Waterfowl Hunting will be permitted 6 days a week: Monday to Saturday from ½ hour before sunrise until 3 PM.
Early Goose hunting will be permitted 6 days a week: Monday to Saturday from ½ hour before sunrise until 3 PM. Registration for the draw closes on July 2nd, 2021 and hunters will be chosen randomly using a independent randomizer software and contacted in order until all hunting locations are sold. Hunters that are successful in obtaining a Hillman waterfowl blind will be required to pay all fees soon after the draw. Permits will be mailed to successful hunters after permit applications are deemed complete and full payment is made. Witnesses will be present while the random hunter selection process occurs to ensure a transparent random draw occurs.
Please Note – Each permit holder will be responsible for construction, upkeep and removal of the blinds by Feb 15th of the following year and most of the seasonal sites are only accessible by boat.
Full rules and regulations are available here
A map of hunting blind locations is available here