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

Luther Marsh
Wildlife
Management
Area
User GUide
2010-2011
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 Wildlife Management Area 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
significant features
4. To provide low flow augmentation to the Grand River
Today, the marsh is also used for wildlife viewing, canoeing,
biking, hunting, fishing, and walking.
This 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.

2010-2011 Conservation Area policies & User Fees
Admission
Over 14 years of age ...................................$5.00
Child (ages 6 - 14) .....................................$2.75
5 Years of age & under ..............................FREE
Seasonal Walk-In Pass
Over 14 years of age ............................... $50.00
Child (ages 6 - 14) ...................................$40.00
Prices subject to change.
Vehicle Season’s Pass
1st Vehicle ...........................................................$105.00
2nd Vehicle ........................................................... $70.00
Hunting Fees
Day Pass ................................................................$15.00
Season Hunting Pass All Game............................$300.00
Season Deer Only Pass ........................................$160.00
Season Small Game/Migratory Birds Pass .........$160.00
Opening Day of Migratory Birds ...........................$25.00
(Hunter limit of 250 hunters)
DO NOT SHOOT AT ANy wHITE BIRDS
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:
No water access before July 31st. Nonmotorized
water craft, canoes, kayaks
and rowboats are permitted at Luther
Marsh from July 31st to September 1st
with completion of an access permit.
After goose season opens, 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 25.
CAMPING:
No CaMpiNg (Overnight camping is
allowed on September 24th only)
Camping is available in Grand Valley.
HORSES:
Horseback travel is prohibited on
Authority lands.
DOG TRAINING:
No dog training is permitted prior to
July 15th. 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. Training is
restricted to Mallard pond corner.
SNOWMOBILES:
Snowmobile travels are restricted to the
OFSC trail. Trail passes are mandatory.
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:
Absolutely no open fires are permitted;
BBQs 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)
GUN HUNTING IS PERMITTED
TUESDAY & THURSDAY 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.
AlwAyS 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/No Sunday Gun Hunting 2010-2011
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 25, 2010 to January 8, 2011 (Limits - See Federal
Migratory Bird Regulations) Black ducks closes December.
20, 2010.
CANADA GOOSE
LIMIT/POSS.
September 9 - September 18/10 10/24
September 25/10 - January 8/11 5/24
Report Banded Birds - 1-800-327-BAND (2263)
WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES are boundaried with red signs or
buoy markers. “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 A & C)
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. 15/11 5/15
Woodcock Sept. 25 - Dec 20/10 8/16
Rabbit/hare Oct. 20 - Feb 28/11 6 each
No seasoN FoR sNappiNg tuRtles, BullFRogs,
oR spRiNg Wild tuRkey, at lutheR MaRsh.
deeR huNtiNg is permitted daily under the following
regulated seasons:
• Archery Only, NO dogs, Oct. 1 - Oct. 31, Nov. 8 - Nov. 28,
Dec. 6 - Dec. 31.
• Shotguns, and Muzzleloaders Only, NO dogs, Nov. 1 - Nov. 6.*
• Muzzleloaders and Archery Only, NO dogs, Nov. 29- Dec. 4.*
* Controlled hunt (must possess a valid controlled deer hunt
validation tag in addition to a valid deer licence).
* Day passes will NOT be issued during the November controlled
Deer Hunt. Only Season Pass holders will be permitted entry.
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 season’s 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. It is a serious offence to 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 atVs 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.
The speed limit is 25 KPH / Water on roads may be deep.
huNteR oRaNge is mandatory when hunting 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 stake use
- Mandatory dog use when hunting migratory birds
ZONE B - Area north of County Rd. 15 - Hunt Zone
ZONE C - Controlled hunting area
- Mandatory parking stake use
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. 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