The NHAFLA exists to support the well-being of the farming and rural landowner communities and to assist all landowners who are experiencing property damage from wildlife in Ontario
Welcome, one and all!
Ten or fifteen years ago, our wildlife was under control. Bears were hunted spring and fall and populations were well above the sustainable levels. Then came the cancellation of the spring bear hunt and bear numbers are swelling to dangerous levels. One farmer in this area lost 85% of his corn crop last year to bear predation. They are seen in the most unlikely places now, in farmyards, in towns, and even in some cities. Farmers are losing calves, lambs, and corn and oat crops, and our provincial government does nothing.
For generations in Ontario wolves were not only hunted and trapped for their pelts, but also had a bounty paid by the Ontario Government. Now? Wolves are protected from hunters and trappers and are reproducing like rabbits. They have virtually eaten themselves out of house and home as whitetail deer numbers are at an all time low in this area. You will see later on this site how wolves are helping themselves to sheep and cattle in record numbers, and still, our Provincial Government does nothing.
Now as if the farmers of North Hastings and Area, have not suffered enough, The Ministry of Natural Resources have introduced elk to drive the final nail in the coffin of agriculture in this area.. These roving bands of crop predators can destroy an entire field of oats in 1 or 2 nights. More information on this subject and much more further along on this website.
As farmers and Landowners, we have taken our stories and complaints to, the MNR, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Ministry of Agriculture, newspapers, magazines, radio and T.V. and still, nothing to resolve the devastating position we find ourselves in.
This website is another forum to bring our message to the people of this wonderful country. When you peruse the following pages, and begin to understand the issues we face, we would welcome your input and ask you to think about this from our perspective for a few moments, and then perhaps call or e-mail your MPP and voice your opinion.
Thank-you for visiting our website and just a word of caution, some pictures and descriptions within this website are graphic.
NHAFLA will try to ensure the farmer's and landowner's right to enjoy their property without interference from unmanaged wild animal populations. We will attempt to do this through working with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and various government ministries concerned with the specific issues.
Our current board has nine Directors. The Directors elected the President and Vice Presidents and appointed the Secretary and Treasurer. An election is held at the Annual General Meeting every year to replace any vacant seats and every third year to replace one half of the board seats.
Elson Ruddy, President Lynn Davis, Director
David Parks, !st Vice President Lonnie Liedtke, Director
Rick Kuno, 2nd Vice President Vern Peacock, Director
Penny Parks, Treasurer Elwood Snider, Director
Carol Counts, Secretary
We are located in the area surrounding Bancroft, Ontario, which is in the northern part of Hastings County.
If you have a story you would like to tell or make a comment to us, we would like to hear from you. Please contact us at:
Email: northhastingsfarmers_gmail.com
On this past Tuesday I had the opportunity to join the MNR Helicopter Flight to observe the Elk count.We flew a grid in New Carlow, Boulter, Little Ireland, and Hartsmere.
We saw a total of 34 elk in the New Carlow area,Similar numbers in Boulter, 10 to 12 in Little Ireland, and around 55 to 60 in Hartsmere. I think the one thing that stood out more than anything to me was that at least 80% of the elk we saw were in Ag/fields, not as the OFAH 's dream of " Elk living in beaver meadows and aspen groves" would lead people to believe.There have been 30 to 50 elk in my hayfields all winter long. I can only imagine, the massive freeze out I will endure, along with many other farmers.
It also lends credence to the concept of elk grazing not browsing, and the need for alternative grazing habitat for these animals. Without it they will always be in our fields, despite any hazing,hunt, removal authorizations, etc;
I believe certainly, that, we did not see all the elk within our flight pattern,let alone what could exist on the periphery. For example, in Wilson's fields,in Boulter, we observed, what appeared to be an elk cow and two calves. A somewhat odd configuration, it leads me to believe there were more elk very close, that we did not see.
It is my belief, that we should try and encourage all the support we can, for this idea of creating grazing land on feral farms, landings,etc; These creatures are here, and they need to eat. Farmers and landowners should not be expected to bear the cost of feeding them.
Without alternative grazing plots, there will always be an Ag/Elk problem. We can never eliminate it, we must, and by we I mean all parties, from Queens Park down, do what is necessary to minimize it. Hopefully to the point where landowners can live without massive elk damage. From 2000 feet, one can see all the empty miles of land, let's get a program together to keep the elk in the wild and off of the few hundred acres of arable land.
Elson Ruddy
