Hunting
Limit
Important: Only one entry per hunter per draw (ie – hunters may enter the deer hunt draw, the waterfowl draw and other draws one time each). If a hunter purchases multiple entries for a single draw, duplicated entries will NOT be entered and will NOT be refunded.
Deer Hunting
Fees
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Public Draw Entry Fee: $20.00 (taxes included)
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10-24 acre woodlot: $745.80(taxes included)
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25-49 acre woodlot: $1028.30 (taxes included)
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50 acre plus woodlot: $1310.80 (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 Tailed Deer. Hunting is permitted by ground or tree stands and must be 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 13, 2026 and hunters will be chosen randomly using independent randomizer software and contacted in the order chosen until all hunting locations are sold. Hunters must respond within 24 hours of being contacted or staff will have to contact the next person on the list. It is important to provide full contact details and monitor your phone and email for one week after the draw. Hunters who 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.
ERCA rents 5 seasonal waterfowl hunting blinds in Big Creek on a yearly basis. Waterfowl hunting will be permitted 7 days per week: from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. Please Note - Each permit holder will be responsible for construction and upkeep of their blind. To bid on Big Creek Seasonal Hunting Blind(s), please completed and submit the bid form below before Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Notice to all hunters who submit a bid form, winning bidders will notified by July 31st 2026. 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.
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*Please note, if you wish to hand deliver a bid, counter service hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 to 4:30. The office is closed to the public on Mondays and Fridays.
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Minimum Bid $904 (taxes included)
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Early Goose Season: $84.75 (taxes included)
Fees
Big Creek Waterfowl Hunting
Cedar Creek Waterfowl Hunting
ERCA rents 6 seasonal waterfowl hunting blinds in Cedar Creek for 5-year periods. The period of hunting leases at this location is under review and leases may be shortened to 1-year periods in the future.
Fees
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Seasonal Blind Fee: $1130.00/year (taxes included)
ERCA has 6 Cedar Creek Blinds that allow waterfowl hunting 7 days per week: from ½ hour before sunrise until ½ hour after sunset. As of June 3rd, 2026, only blinds 5 and 6 are available for rent this year. Registration for the draw closes on July13th, 2026 and hunters will be chosen randomly using independent randomizer software and contacted in order until all hunting locations are sold. Hunters must respond within 24 hours of being contacted or staff will have to contact the next person on the list. It is important to provide full contact details and monitor your phone and email for one week after the draw. Please Note - Each permit holder will be responsible for construction and upkeep of the blinds and blind sites are only accessible by boat.
Hillman Marsh Waterfowl Hunting
Fees
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Public Draw Entry Fee: $20.00 (taxes included)
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Seasonal Blind Fee: $819.25 (taxes included)
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Early Goose Season: $84.75 (taxes included)
Hillman Marsh Conservation Area rents approximately 14 seasonal waterfowl hunting blinds each year. Waterfowl Hunting will be permitted 6 days per week: Monday to Saturday from ½ hour before sunrise until 3 PM.
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Early Goose hunting will be permitted 6 days per week: Monday to Saturday from ½ hour before sunrise until 3 PM. Registration for the draw closes on July 13, 2026 and hunters will be chosen randomly using independent randomizer software and contacted in order until all hunting locations are sold. Hunters must respond within 24 hours of being contacted or staff will have to contact the next person on the list. It is important to provide full contact details and monitor your phone and email for one week after the draw.
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Hunters who 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.
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Please Note - Each permit holder will be responsible for construction, upkeep and removal of the blinds by Feb 15th of the following year. A $100.00 refundable blind removal deposit is required. It will be refunded upon timely removal of the blind. Most of the seasonal sites are only accessible by boat.
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Notice: significant construction along the beach, lake opening and east beach road is expected to begin in September and last until December. This activity is expected to disrupt migratory bird flight patterns at Hillman Marsh this season.
The Cedar Creek basin is probably the most significant, most extensive, and most beautiful natural area in the Place for Life. Experience the Carolinian woodlands, rolling landscapes, creeks, tributaries and abundant wildlife. Cedar Creek is a pristine natural area offering excellent bird watching opportunities.
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Be inspired by the sight of eagles soaring, herons and egrets wading, and turtles sun worshiping on logs. View the provincially rare American Lotus, Swamp Rose Mallow and other superb flora and fauna. Canoeing or kayaking can be a great way to explore this Conservation Area. Launch from the dock and head upstream for a magical journey meandering through the trees and Carolinian foliage, or head downstream to enjoy the widening expanse of water as you approach Cedar Beach Conservation Area.
Cedar Creek Conservation Area
Address: Cedar Creek, Essex ON, N9Y 2E6, Canada
Amenities: trail
Things to Do: bird-watching, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hunting, photography, picnicking
Hunting: controlled Waterfowl Hunting is permitted seasonally.
Holiday Beach Waterfowl Hunting
Duck Season – Sep 26 – Jan 10
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Fees: Blinds 3, 4, 6 & 7 - $96.05 (taxes included)
Blinds 5, 14, 18 & 21 - $73.45 (taxes included)
For the 2026-2027 season, day use waterfowl blinds at Holiday Beach will be available to book on our on-line booking reservation system.
This system will become available for hunters to use at 6pm on Wednesday, August 19th, 2026.
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Blinds will be available on a first come, first served basis, up to a maximum of 3 blinds per hunter.
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Hunters can book only ONE Saturday
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IMPORTANT: If you book more than 3 blinds or two or more Saturdays, your reservations will be cancelled without a refund.
Each hunter may use the new system to book and pay for 3 blinds. You will receive an email confirmation of your purchase and staff will email your dash card permit and gate access code to gain entry into the park before your first hunting date.
Holiday Beach Waterfowl Hunting
Fees
Blinds 3, 4, 6 & 7 - $96.05 (taxes included)
Blinds 5, 14, 18 & 21 - $73.45 (taxes included)
For the 2023-2024 season, day use waterfowl blinds at Holiday Beach are available through our on-line booking reservation system.
For the 2025-2026 season, day use waterfowl blinds at Holiday Beach will be available to book on our on-line booking reservation system. This system will become available for hunters to use at 6:00 pm on Thursday, August 21, 2025.
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Blinds will be available on a first come, first served basis, up to a maximum of 3 blinds per hunter.
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Hunters can book only ONE Saturday
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IMPORTANT: If you book more than 3 blinds or two or more Saturdays, your reservations will be cancelled without a refund.
Each hunter may use the online reservation system to book and pay for 3 blinds. You will receive an email confirmation of your purchase and staff will email your dash card permit and gate access code to gain entry into the park before your first hunting date.
Click below to make your reservation on August 21, 2025. (No bookings will be available until August 21, 2025)