The Town of Bracebridge has voted in favour to enter into a land use permit with the province for continued use of the Bracebridge Resource Management Center (BRMC) off Highway 11 North. Still, some councillors would like to see tighter rules around hunting in the park.
During the most recent Bracebridge general committee meeting, councillors voted in favour of entering a 10-year agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) for the use of the park.
The BRMC is located along the Muskoka River and contains some 20 km of groomed cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, and mountain biking trails.
Coun. Barb McMurray said the BRMC is a quiet place to enjoy the trails and hunting should be done elsewhere.
“There are more appropriate places for it,” she said.
Gillian Mitchell, the Bracebridge Parks and Trails Foreperson, said they had discussed the prospect with the MNRF in the past but hunting is permitted on Crown Land (which the park is) and modifying the allowable uses is difficult.
“It could be something down the road but it is a lengthy process,” said Mitchell.
In the meantime, Mitchell suggested the Town could erect more signage informing guests of the allowable uses of the park, and possibly work at releasing more information to the public.
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I have used the BRMC for years. Hiking, hunting, fishing and snowshoeing, long before track set ski and snowshoe trails were put in. I have never felt any threat from any hunters out there at any time of year. Some of those who do hunt it for deer rely on that harvested animal to feed their families. In this economic climate of high inflation and increasing pressure on food banks in an area of a large amount of seasonal workers, who am I to stand in the way of them providing for their families ? And as Mr Beacock says, it is crown land and owned by all.
Peggy Tupper says, some of us don’t have a problem with that
That’s okay with me. I enjoy the organic meat roaming the woods. We are all entitled to our own opinions.
I sit in a tree stand and witness people walk by dressed in dark clothing and they don’t even know I am there so we can co-exist! Maybe we can close the park down for the 2 weeks of deer season! Crown land is payed for and sustained by the tax payers of this country!
Have a safe day and an enjoyable day in the bush!
Phil Beacock said: “their ability to hunt at all” Some of us do not have a problem with that.
Should not be allowed, if remote piece of crown land, no problem, but it is a hiking trail.
You are putting walkers, dogs et in the path of hunters, it is pretty idiotic.
Somewhere else, but not a walking trail, it is pretty dumb let’s be honest.
People, parks and hunting do not go together.
Bullets flying can seriously harm or kill park users. Stray bullets are a danger for over a mile. No need for this here when there is lots of crown land 40 minutes east of town.
The majority of people like to watch the wildlife which is owned by all of us. Hunt with binoculars. Let Bambi enjoy a safe area.
This is crown land and here is my take on this. There is very little crown land in Muskoka! By removing our ability for locals to hunt or even out of towners may very well remove their ability to hunt at all. Lots of hunters don’t own large tracts of land and they appreciate crown land! So please think about this! To hunters and all users of crown land we can exist together in the wilds of Muskoka. Remember in hunting season to all wear high visibility clothing! Have a safe day!