Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area - Grand River Conservation ...

Luther Marsh
Wildlife
Management
Area
USER GUIDE
2007-2008
Ministry of Natural Resources
Ministère des Richesses naturelles
Message From the
Area Superintendent
The Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area is more
than a significant reservoir at the headwaters of the
Grand River Watershed. Luther represents a joint effort
between man and nature to restore and maintain
different habitats for flora and fauna in rural Southern
Ontario. The task at hand is to balance protection and
utilization of this unique and provincially significant
resource for the present and the future.
Please respect and understand my obligation as manager
of this valued and special area. If you wonder why
restrictions exist or require any additional information
regarding area management practices....please ask.
R. Bell
Superintendent
Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Grand River Conservation Authority
The Luther Marsh Management Area Management Plan|
established primary goals for Luther Marsh. They are:
1. To protect the Provincially significant wetlands and other
significant features and species
2. To optimize habitat diversity and wildlife production
3. To accommodate compatible human uses that do not impair
significat features
4. To provide low flow augmentation to the Grand River
Today, the marsh is also used for wildlife viewing, canoeing,
biking, hunting, fishing, dog trials, and walking.
This provincial wildlife management area is situated in West
and East Luther Townships approximately 25 km west of
Orangeville. The wildlife management area encompasses over
5,600 ha. of biological diversity consisting of an open marsh
reservoir surrounded by lowland swamps, bogs, plantations, natural
forests, fields and croplands. These features provide habitat
for a great variety of wildlife, both game and non-game species.
All area users must be registered with the GRCA (apply at
Luther Dam) and must clearly display seasonal or daily passes.

2007-2008 Conservation Area User Fees
Admission
Over 14 years of age ...................................$4.00
Child (ages 6 - 14) .....................................$2.25
5 Years of age & under ..............................FREE
Seasonal Walk-In Pass
Over 14 years of age ............................... $45.00
Child (ages 6 - 14) ...................................$30.00
Vehicle Season’s Pass
1st Vehicle ..............................................$110.00
2nd Vehicle .............................................. $65.00
Hunting Fees
Day Pass ...................................................$15.00
Pheasant Hunting Daily ..........................$ 25.00
Season Hunting Pass ..............................$225.00
Season Archery Only Pass .....................$100.00
Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area (LMWMA)
PARK ACCESS:
All visitors must enter and register at
the main gate, dam site, of Luther
Marsh Wildlife Management Area.
MOTOR VEHICLES:
Interior Roads and parking areas are
seasonally open to motor vehicles. All
other motor vehicle uses are prohibited.
WATER ACCESS:
Non-motorized water craft, canoes,
kayaks and rowboats are permitted at
Luther Marsh from July 31st to
September 1st with completion of an
access permit. After September 1st,
motors are allowed, but caution is
advised. Luther Lake is shallow, weedy
and full of stumps. Winds can create
dangerous conditions. Maximum
allowable HP is 35.
CAMPING:
NO CAMPING (Overnight camping is
allowed on September 21st only)
Camping is available in Grand Valley.
HORSES:
Horseback travel is prohibited on
Authority lands without specific
permits and approvals.
DOG TRAINING:
No dog training is permitted prior to
July 15th without written permission.
Dogs must be kept on a leash in closed
hunting seasons and on closed hunting
days. It is an offence to pursue game in
a closed season.
SNOWMOBILES:
Snowmobile travels are restricted to the
Interior Road system and the OFSC
trail.
ALCOHOL:
Prohibited at all times. Non-compliance
will result in eviction.
FIREARMS:
No discharge of firearms from March
1st to the opening of Canada Goose
season. Firearms must be unloaded on
all roadways. No Sunday gun hunts.
FIRES:
No open fires are permitted; BBQs or
contained fire receptacles can be used.
FISHING:
Is permitted outside of the sanctuary
areas. Only perch, bullheads and
minnows are in the lake.
HUNTING*:
All hunting activities require a GRCA
permit and must follow the Hunting
Regulations for WMU #80.
*SOME SPECIAL CONDITIONS MAY
APPLY TO LUTHER MARSH* (contact
area superintendent for details)
NO GUN HUNTING ON
TUESDAY, THURSDAY & SUNDAY
(except during controlled deer hunts
or when an opening day falls on a
Tuesday or Thursday.)
PLEASE BE ADVISED
ALL HUNTERS MUST READ AND
SIGN HUNTING WAIVER FORM AT
TIME OF REGISTRATION.
BEFORE HUNTING, CHECK THE FEDERAL MIGRATORY BIRD REGULATIONS & THE PROVINCIAL
HUNTING REGULATIONS SUMMARY FOR POSSIBLE CHANGES TO SEASON OPENING DATES,
BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS.

Hunting at Luther Marsh 2007-2008
NO GUN HUNTING ON TUESDAY, THURSDAY & SUNDAY
DUCKS
Ducks, Rails (other than Yellow Rails and King Rails), Common
Moorhens, American Coots, Common Snipe, Geese (other than
Canada Geese and Brant).
September 22 to December 20, 2007 (Limits - See Federal
Migratory Bird Regulations)
CANADA GOOSE
LIMIT/POSS.
September 7 - September 17/07 8/24
September 22 - January 5/08 5/24
February 21 - February 28/08 8/24
Report Banded Birds - 1-800-327-BAND (2263)
WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES are boundaried with red signs or
buoy markers and “No Entry” is enforced from March 15 until
Nov. 16 annually. There is "No Hunting" allowed at the
Damascus Conservation Area or in wildlife sanctuaries as posted.
MANDATORY USE OF PARKING STAKES - (ZONE C) In
an attempt to create a safer hunt, all vehicles must park in designated
parking lots at stakes. Once a particular lot is full, please
go to the next parking area where a vacant stake exists.
SMALL GAME hunting for the following species occurs during
these periods as per Ontario hunting regulations:
GAME SEASON LIMIT/ POSS.
Ruffed Grouse Sept. 25 - Jan. 15/08 5/15
Pheasant Oct. 3 - Dec. 15/07 2 daily (either sex)
(licensed game bird hunting preserve area only)
Woodcock Sept. 25 - Dec 20/07 8/16
Rabbit/Hare Oct. 18 - Feb 29/08 6 each
NO SEASON ON WILD TURKEY, SNAPPING TURTLES
& BULLFROGS
PHEASANT HUNTING - Pheasant hunting permits are
$25.00 per day.
• 2 bird daily limit.
• No hunting in pheasant release areas before 8:00 a.m.
• No dog training on closed hunting days.
DEER HUNTING is permitted daily under the following
regulated seasons:
• Archery Only, NO dogs, Oct. 1 - Nov. 4, Nov. 12 - Dec. 2,
Dec. 10 - Dec. 31.
• Shotguns, and Muzzleloaders Only, NO dogs,
Nov. 5 - Nov. 11*
• Muzzleloaders and Archery Only, No dogs, Dec. 3 - Dec. 9*
* Controlled hunt (must possess a valid controlled deer hunt
validation tag in addition to a valid deer licence).
Should opening day of a particular season fall on a NO HUNTING
Tuesday or Thursday, gun hunting WILL be permitted.
LICENCE VALIDATION for the controlled deer hunt (gun)
and selective harvest (archery) are administered through the
Ministry of Natural Resources lottery for WMU #80.
TREE STANDS and blinds must be of a portable design. They
may be erected 4 weeks prior to opening day and must be
removed within one week of the seasons end. GRCA assumes
no responsibility for stands/blinds or their use. It is an offence to
cut vegetation in Conservation Areas.
INTERIOR ROADS - Use caution when driving on park interior
roads. You must not discharge a firearm from or across any
roadway. Wildlife Management Area roads are not maintained
in the winter and may be closed to motor vehicles at any time.
Off road vehicles and ATV's are strictly prohibited. It is an
offence to operate a motor vehicle off road or enter the Wildlife
Management Area from other than the main entrance.
HUNTER ORANGE is mandatory when hunting, pheasant,
small game or deer using a gun. Wear vest or jacket and hat.
Non-compliance will result in eviction from the area.
OPEN FIRES are not permitted, use a barbeque. It is an
offence to start fires in Conservation Areas.
ATTENTION - Important Information (see map on back)
ZONE A - Monticello Project - Mandatory parking stakes and
mandatory dog use zone for waterfowl hunters.
ZONE B - Area north of County Rd. 15 - Hunt Zone
ZONE C - Controlled hunting area - mandatory parking
stake use
ZONE P - Pheasant Hunt Areas - pheasant permit required
ZONE R - Restricted area - no entry - by reservation only.
School children may be present.
Safety Zone - NO HUNTING
Sanctuary - No Entry (as posted)
Please have a safe, enjoyable hunt, obey all laws and
regulations, and respect your fellow area users opportunities.
For further information contact:
Luther Marsh Wildlife Management Area
R.R.# 2, Grand Valley L0N 1G0
1-519-928-2832
Ministry of Natural Resources
1 Stone Road West
Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2
1-519-826-4955
Grand River Conservation Authority
400 Clyde Rd. Box 729
Cambridge, Ontario N1R 5W6
1-519-621-2761
TO REPORT POACHING AND OTHER RESOURCE VIOLATIONS,
PLEASE CALL 1-877-TIPS-MNR (1-877-847-7667)

LUTHER MARSH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA