Rondeau Bay Waterfowlers Association

Hope everyone’s hunting season is going well so far! As a reminder to be an RBWA member you must also be an OFAH member in good standing. If you have just submitted a membership it usually takes a couple weeks for the process to complete. Avoid the wait next year by getting your memberships in prior to the season.... Thanks all and happy and safe hunting. See you in the marsh!

ATTENTION: It has been confirmed by MNRF staff that Cormorants CANNOT be harvested within Rondeau Bay boundaries. This includes A-Zone AND B-Zone. The regulations specific to Rondeau Bay only permits migratory birds listed under the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations to be hunted and therefore Cormorants CANNOT be harvested within the boundary of Rondeau Bay as described by Schedule 3 found in O. Reg. 663/98.

Notice: It has been confirmed by MNRF staff and ecologists that Cormorants CANNOT be harvested within Rondeau Park boundaries (A-Zone). The regulations specific to Rondeau Park only allows for migratory birds listed under the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations to be harvested and therefore Cormorants CANNOT be harvested in A-Zone. As posted in a separate post and on the RBWA website: It has been confirmed by MNRF staff that Cormorants CANNOT be harvested within Rondeau Bay boundaries. This includes A-Zone AND B-Zone. The regulations specific to Rondeau Bay only permits migratory birds listed under the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations to be hunted and therefore Cormorants CANNOT be harvested within the boundary of Rondeau Bay as described by Schedule 3 found in O. Reg. 663/98.

Please find COVID procedures posted on FB (pinned post) or on the website under Updates: https://rondeauwaterfowlers.com/updates Notice:... A-Zone daily draws have been moved up to 4:30 am this year to allow more time during draw mornings because processing times will be slower. The office will open at 4:00 am on hunting days. Hunters will not enter the building during the draws and registration / blind selection will take place outside rain or shine. We have made accommodations to allow for this - however only 1 group (max 3 hunters) will be permitted on the deck outside where this process will occur through the attendants window. The next group will need to allow for the previous group to vacate the area prior to coming up on the deck. Important Dates: A-Zone Blind Decoration Day: Sat, Aug 29th - Arrive at 8:00 at Ed Myslik’s farm on the corner of HWY#3 and McKinley Line to load your boat with cedars. When doing the blinds, please push the cedars well below the base as the water is falling and hunters don’t want a space between the water and the bottom of the blind. Notify Peter Leistra (519-980-0127) if you are coming so he can plan the day. However, if you suddenly find yourself free, just come to Ed’s. If you don't have a boat come and we'll set you up. As we did not do a bay cleanup this spring, grab any logs etc. that you see sticking up so that no one hits them in the dark. There are always new ones showing up but maybe we can remove a few of the current deadheads. B-Zone Blind Draw: Fri, Sept 4th - Registration opens at 5:00 pm and closes at 7:00. Draw takes place at 7:00 pm sharp. Due to COVID 19, the draw will be held outside. Participants should practise social distancing measures and masking. Hand sanitizer will be available. Make sure your hunting credentials are up to date and you have a valid 2020 Migratory Bird License. Early Goose: RBWA office will be open for early goose season on both Fridays (11, 18th) and Saturdays (12, 19) of the season. Hunters must return to the Waterfowl Office by 2:00 pm. The office will be open at 4:00 am and the draw will be at 4:30. A-Zone Opening Day Draw: Sept 19th - Registration opens at 12:00 pm (noon) and closes at 2:00. Draw takes place at 2:00 pm sharp. Please familiarise yourself with our common operating procedures found in our Info Booklet.

The August meeting of RBWA is cancelled due to Covid 19 restrictions. The Executive will be meeting on Aug 5, 2020. Currently the RBWA is developing procedures to accommodate COVID-19 concerns and requirements during the 2020 waterfowl season. A meeting with Brad Connor, Rondeau Provincial Park representative is scheduled for Aug 6, 2020. At that time the procedures for hunting in A zone during these trying times will be presented. Information from those two meetings regarding hunting A zone, Opening Day 2020, the B Zone Draw, and other pertinent matters will be posted to the website and RBWA Facebook page shortly after Aug 6, 2020. Please note that Rondeau Park is open for day use, please see Ontario Parks and MECP websites for more information and follow those sources for updates. This includes fishing opportunities!

Due to COVID-19 the RBWA Monthly Meeting in July is cancelled. Other upcoming events have also been affected including: Cancelled - 2020 RBWA Annual Fundraiser Dinner - For the first time in 22 years the RBWA annual fundraiser dinner will not take place. At this time the RBWA unfortunately must cancel this years event due to COVID-19.... Cancelled - 2020 RBWA Youth Hunt - Due to uncertainties and challenges surrounding COVID-19 we are also regrettably unable to safely host our annual youth hunt event. Please stay tuned for more details regarding the operation of A-Zone and B-Zone this year. Currently the RBWA is developing procedures to accommodate COVID-19 concerns and requirements during the 2020 waterfowl season. Our intention, barring any changes or directives from the MNRF, MECP, or the Ontario government, is that the season will open with modified procedures for A-Zone operations and the B-Zone draw. These will posted closer to the start of the season - stay tuned! Please note that Rondeau Park is open for day use, please see Ontario Parks and MECP websites for more information and follow those sources for updates. This includes fishing opportunities! Additional updates will continue to be posted here as dated Blog Entries pertaining to scheduled events and COVID-19. Rondeau Park Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RondeauPP/ Ontario Parks Rondeau Page: http://www.ontarioparks.com/park/rondeau/alerts Ontario Parks COVID page: http://www.ontarioparks.com/covid19 As a reminder for B-Zone permits purchased at Erieau Marina must be purchased with cash only.