The first time I saw silhouette decoys I was quite skeptical; I mean surely the birds are smart enough to see that these 2D pieces of plastic aren’t real. I was quickly proven wrong. The realistic printing and variety of positions these decoys come in really caught the eye of the incoming geese. Almost every hunt I’ve been on in the past seven years both here in Ontario and in Saskatchewan has included some use of silhouette decoys, whether the 2D version or the silhouette socks. What are they? These 2D decoys are incredibly realistic, thanks to modern HD printing technology. The lifelike pat ..read more

Dark green: Days when fish and game are most active in July 2024 Light green: Days when fish and game are more active than usual in July 2024 OFAH key date reminder: June-29-July 7: National Fishing Week July 1: Controlled deer draw opens July 2: Antlerless deer draw deadline July 6: Smallmouth bass opens in FMZ 20 July 8: Moose second chance tag allocation deadline July 10: Additional deer tags available July 31: Deadline for controlled deer draw   Major AM/PM: Daily times when fish and animals are likely to be most active. Periods also last two hours, beginning at listed time. Al ..read more

I don’t know any outdoors person who professes a deep and abiding love of biting insects. They ruin perfectly good outdoors experiences quicker than a hungry bear at a campsite. Here a quick rundown of the worst offenders and how to deal with them: Mosquitoes Active period: May to September, worst at dawn and dusk, or in the shade. They hatch in standing water, including hollowed-out logs, stagnant pools, marshes, puddles, ponds or lakes. Adults live within several kilometres of water. Blackflies Active period: April to June. Most active during the day (especially when fighting your PB broo ..read more

Dark green: Days when fish and game are most active Light green: Days when fish and game are more active than usual  OFAH key date reminder: April 1: Moose tag primary allocation opens April 15: Elk draw applications open; Black bear second game seals available (spring and fall) April 25: Turkey season opens April 27: General trout opener April 30: Moose tag primary allocation deadline Major AM/PM: Daily times when fish and animals are likely to be most active. Periods also last two hours, beginning at listed time. Also, to get appropriate sunrise and sunset times for you ..read more

The Ontario OUT of DOORS Spring 2024 digital issue is now available. In this issue, you’ll read about how to harvest a tom in multiple tough situations, catch steelhead in any water level, ways to target key species at prime locations, and more! Plus, browse our Mom’s Day giveaway, invite more deer to your grounds, and learn to aim for turkey in the right way. Read your Spring 2024 issue digitally on your desktop at: https://digital.oodmag.com/ Download the OOD app on your iOS or Android devices (smartphones and tablets). Get the latest issues into your hands even before they h ..read more

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECC) determined that sandhill cranes could be hunted sustainably in Ontario. A similar proposal is also being considered for Quebec. The proposal says, “A sandhill crane hunting season would provide a new harvesting opportunity for hunters in Ontario, and an additional tool to help alleviate crop damage problems caused by cranes.” The introduction of the sandhill crane hunting season has been the subject of repeated requests from hunting and agricultural organizations, such as the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), in Ontario since 2003. T ..read more

Most of us are aware of the adage, “canary in the coal mine,” a reference to how we used to determine air quality in mines. Miners carried caged canaries with them into tunnels. If the birds died, it was an indication that lethal gases such as carbon monoxide were present, a warning for miners to leave. This practice dates back to 1911 and formally ended in 1986. Similarly, aquatic invertebrates can indicate the health of water systems. Typically, macroinvertebrates, those visible without magnification, are used instead of smaller invertebrates (meiofauna) that must be sent to labs to be iden ..read more

This wildly tasty and simple roast is a great protein to feature on holidays or for Sunday dinners. I like to serve mine with duck fat potatoes and grilled asparagus. Ingredients 1 large wild turkey breast, skin on 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp kosher salt 1⁄2 tsp ground black peppercorn 1⁄4 cup raw bacon, chopped 2 tbsp butter 1⁄4 cup white onion, chopped 1⁄2 tbsp garlic, minced 2 tbsp walnuts, chopped 2 cups fresh arugula, chopped 1 cup cream cheese 1 tsp fresh chives, chopped 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400 ̊F. Butterfly the turkey breast so it beco ..read more

Dark green: Days when fish and game are most active in June 2024 Light green: Days when fish and game are more active than usual in June 2024 OFAH key date reminder: June 1: Muskie opens, southern Ontario June 7: Moose primary tag claim deadline June 10: Elk draw deadline June 14: Turkey report deadline June 15: Bass opens in south, muskie in north; moose second chance allocation open June 22: Bass opens in central Ontario; Bear report deadline (non-resident) June 29-July 7: National Fishing Week Major AM/PM: Daily times when fish and animals ..read more

I don’t know any outdoors person who professes a deep and abiding love of biting insects. They ruin perfectly good outdoors experiences quicker than a hungry bear at a campsite. Here a quick rundown of the worst offenders and how to deal with them: Mosquitoes Active period: May to September, worst at dawn and dusk, or in the shade. They hatch in standing water, including hollowed-out logs, stagnant pools, marshes, puddles, ponds or lakes. Adults live within several kilometres of water. Blackflies Active period: April to June. Most active during the day (especially when fighting your PB broo ..read more