Darlington Provincial Park Waterfowl Hunt
unique opportunity to harvest waterfowl species IN McLaughlin Bay
Experience Waterfowl Hunting at Darlington Provincial Park
The Darlington Waterfowl Hunt is a longstanding tradition that offers hunters a unique opportunity to harvest a variety of waterfowl species that utilize McLaughlin Bay in Darlington Provincial Park during their migration across Lake Ontario. This hunting experience is made possible through an agreement between OFAH Membership and Ontario Parks.
This year, the hunt returns to a volunteer-run model, operated by a team of passionate volunteers whose dedication ensures this opportunity continues for current and future hunters. A generous donation from the Pickering Rod and Gun Club will be supporting the long-term sustainability of this hunt. This support and volunteer help made it possible to repair and upgrade the hunting blinds and registration office for the 2025 hunt.
This hunt is administered under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and the federal Migratory Birds Regulations. Hunters are invited to participate in this controlled hunt, which permits the harvest of Ducks, Rails, Gallinules, Snipe, Coots and Geese during the open season.
The Darlington Waterfowl Hunt offers five blinds which can accommodate up to two hunters each. All blinds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and a boat is required to access them. Retriever dogs are welcomed and encouraged to ensure quick retrieval of downed birds.
unique opportunity to harvest waterfowl species IN McLaughlin Bay
Experience Waterfowl Hunting at Darlington Provincial Park
Although this waterfowl hunt has been operating for many years, it has room to grow! Take advantage of this unique opportunity to harvest waterfowl species that utilize McLaughlin Bay in Darlington Provincial Park during their migration across Lake Ontario. Anyone interested in hunting waterfowl are encouraged to come to Darlington Provincial Park and participate.
OFAH Membership administers the Controlled Waterfowl Hunt at Darlington Provincial Park, which operates with volunteer help. This hunt is authorized though an existing and longstanding agreement between Ontario Parks and OFAH Membership. The hunt is administered under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.
The OFAH authorizes hunters to enter the Darlington Waterfowl Unit (DWU) for the purpose of hunting Ducks, Rails, Gallinules, Snipe, Coots and Geese during the open season as set out in the Federal Migratory Birds Regulations.
Retriever dogs are welcomed to ensure quick retrieval of wounded birds for the conservation of waterfowl species and to minimize public complaints. There are four blinds available with a maximum of two hunters per blind, there are no reservations of blinds, they are available on a first come first serve basis. A boat is required to access the blinds; all hunters need a boat to participate.
Hunt location
Address:
1600 Darlington Park Rd
Bowmanville, ON L1C 3K3
Hunt Supervisor: 705-748-6324 x 269
WMU: 72B – located in the southern hunting district.
Note: Access to the waterfowl blinds is by boat only
Parking
Hunters driving into the park will be required to purchase and present a valid Darlington Provincial Park vehicle pass (daily or seasonal) available for purchase online at Create Reservation (ontarioparks.com).
You can book your day permit online up to 5 days in advance.
details Of the Hunt
Dates
The Darlington waterfowl hunt is now CLOSED for the 2025 season.
The hunt will reopen in September 2026.
Dates
This hunt operates from Saturday, September 27th, 2025 to Saturday, December 6th, 2025 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday morning hunts only – hunters must end their hunt and return to the hunt office at noon)
Hunting is closed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays to reduce hunting pressure and allow the birds to rest.
Poor weather or icy conditions my cause the hunt to close on certain days. Hunt closure updates will be made to this page.
Please monitor this page for updates throughout the season.
Cost
$20.00 per OFAH Member hunter ($25.00 per non-OFAH Member hunter) — CASH ONLY (Please bring exact amount)
Not an OFAH Member? No problem! Join online today.
How the Hunt Operates
- This hunt uses a first-come first-served system for blind allocation. In picnic area #4 at Darlington Provincial Park, five parking spots are labelled with numbers corresponding to the blind numbers.
- Hunters are to park in the numbered spot that corresponds to the blind they would like to hunt in.
- Hunters may enter the park no earlier than 4am to find a parking spot.
- Registration begins at 5:45 am. Hunters are to remain in the parking spot until registration begins at 5:45 am.
- Each hunter requires a vehicle to park in the designated parking area.
- Each hunter must check-in with the Volunteer Waterfowl Technician at the office trailer to register and pay for their hunt prior to departing to their assigned blind.
- Each hunter requires a boat to access the blinds. No boat – no hunt.
- The hunt begins 30mins before sunrise until noon.
- Each person must return to the Volunteer Waterfowl Technician after completing their hunt and present their harvest from that morning for important data collection (the species, sex, age, and number of waterfowl harvested, etc.). The information from these reports and standard migratory bird band reporting from Darlington Provincial Park waterfowl hunters, contributes to long-term monitoring and assessment programs.
For over 30 years, this hunt has offered waterfowl hunting experiences just outside of the Greater Toronto Area. Come out to show your support and help preserve this public hunting opportunity!
To participate in the waterfowl hunt, you MUST possess:
- Valid Ontario Outdoors Card
- Small game license for Ontario
- Migratory Game Birds Hunting Permit
Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) - Valid Pleasure Craft Operators Card (if operating a motorboat)
- Parking Permit
- OFAH Membership Card (must show to receive discounted price)
OFAH is for all Ontarians
Connecting the Hunting Community
The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is committed to providing inclusive and educational hunting programs that foster a strong, united community of conservation-minded hunters.
More Public Waterfowl Hunting Opportunities
Waterfowl Hunts
Discover information on some exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities in southern Ontario through three hunts, open to all licensed hunters.
Long Point Provincial Park
The Long Point Waterfowl Management Unit, along with the OFAH, facilitate a controlled waterfowl hunt in the Long Point Provincial Park marsh.
Rondeau Provincial Park
Rondeau Bay Waterfowlers Association (RBWA) is a not-for-profit organization working in co-operation with Ontario Parks, the OFAH and the Ministry of Natural Resources.
