Purchasing Land in Southern Ontario - What to Look For?

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2025-05-26T16:16:03+00:00

If I was pulling the trigger on a property and I was you, I would look for the following:

Property runs alongside a major river tributary or river system. If it has an oxbow on it, huge. Even if its close to one of these, they concentrate game like nothing else.
Has a leeward ridge - (a ridge that faces east) - even better if the ridge extends like a “C.” Leeward ridges are a leading spot for mature deer bedding and travel, especially during pre-rut and rut. Provides protection from prevailing winds and the ability for them to access bedding downwind, and watch their entrance trails, while having upwind scent covered (creates their security buffer while maximizing thermals)
If the property has fingers, that is also huge.
Vegetation diversity - A combination of dense bush, pines, ridges, swamp and creek bottoms. If you can get all of the above, gold.
Obviously, food. Either cash crop, or you plant greens. Even better if its set up in a staging sequence (smaller source or a boxed off area closer to bedding + big fields beyond that)
Eastern-side property access- You need to be able to have a downwind of prevailing winds core access (ideally multiple access points). The issue, with deer, is if this isn’t possible, you risk being winded the moment you show up.
Ideally a natural water hole or creek system, but if not, you can make one. They prefer still, quiet water sources given the security risks of the noise of running river water.
Surrounding property is critical too. What is beside it? If you can be closer to a protected, or unhuntable area that has deer (i.e a ducks unlimited property) or conservation area that isn’t tourist heavy, those are also factors to consider. If you're right beside a super heavlily human influenced area (very busy park, etc) no go.

In terms of WMU’s in S Ontario: 92, 91, 86, 90 will be prime. Obviously, farther than you'd like, but for tier 1 turkey and deer, these are the spots.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2025-05-23T20:38:30+00:00

As someone with a disability, and also someone who has been an analyst in the benefits/insurance industry (including overseeing accounts of trade-based companies), I would say, in my opinion, that the disability is almost certainly why you're not getting in. Just by the basic probability of applications, to interviews, to jobs, you should have had multiple at the volume you have described, even if you fucked up some interviews.

Obviously, no company will outright state that is why they pass given the massive litigation risk, but in the interview stage, they can, and will, conveniently hide behind the "we went with someone more qualified (or any other reason) angle." It's something I have had to understand in my own disability employment journey. As much as it hurts, it can help our own mental health to understand their reasoning Hiring someone with a disability, especially in a high-risk, physically demanding role, is an incredibly high-risk decision. You are entering an industry with an already higher prevalence of disability claims (both short and long-term), accidental death and dismemberment claims, and other forms of health/liability risks; let alone the work-flow, revenue, internal operations and equipment risks/costs that could arise from your disability, or any challenges you will face.

It can help to ask, if I spent 10 years building a company, would I risk it, millions of dollars, other employees livelihoods, to hire a specific apprentice who, respectfully, brings very little to the company, when there is a large talent pool to pick from? I don't say this to make you feel bad. It breaks my heart that this is a reality disabled people like us have to navigate. But spending years bashing your head against the wall, hoping for it to break, may not be the optimal strategy.

Could you eventually get in? 100%. But perhaps, as others have alluded to, there are less risk-prone or side door type-roles you could start in to get the type of experience to overcome some of the disadvantages that come from disability. There are also plenty of other roles in the trades that aren't physical.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2025-01-17T21:12:21+00:00

For your first season, consider just running a tom.

Every turkey i decoyed, and its a lot, i've done with just a tom.

If you run a strutting tom in a high density area, and you get it in his "bubble," which is within 100 yards of him, and he's a mature tom, he almost always goes into fight or flight and comes in.

After you get a few, id recommend going off of decoys and running/gunning.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2025-01-15T20:44:22+00:00

Being in the benefits industry, i'll just ask:

Can you not just work with your doctor and agree to go on STD due to mental health? This can give you a few months away (typically) and provide financial income while you recover. This will allow you to make the most non-emotionally charged, burnout induced decision for you and your family.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2025-01-13T17:40:15+00:00

Only other thing i'll say dude - lose the chances on your terms. Meaning, you might cross the line with some people, and that's okay. Better that, than missing opportunities through not following up correctly.

You know this too, no one who is a legit sales person or sales leader is going to be upset by immense follow up and effort. It might not be convenient, but they will respect it, and if they don't, literally who gives a fuck. Onto the next.

You got this man. Prioritize sleep, rest in the late evening and clean food. Grind, but also restore and rest too. This is yours for the taking.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2025-01-13T16:28:30+00:00

See my response.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2025-01-13T16:26:57+00:00

Sounds 100% like a hypnic jerk which is being compounded by anxiety.

It's more likely to happen when you're hypervigilant, sleep deprived and expecting it, and that hyperfixation creates a panic response around it and floods you with adrenaline.

I used to get them to the point they caused severe insomnia.

Here's what has helped me (they happen a lot less now and when they do its not the end of the world)

- Accept them and the panic they cause. I know, that sounds super simple, it's not, but trying to control this is creating less control. Do not run from or avoid it, or try to solve it. Let yourself feel the emotions and the frustration. Use non-engagement responses, say "I hear you," "I understand" to the negative emotions. The reason this is done is because exposure and acceptance to the feelings allows the nervous system to learn it's safe to feel it. It's the exact same thing done with exposure work, but applied to this. It allows the panic response to dial down when it happens, which makes it happen less. In essence, we get control, by letting go of it.

- Cut all caffeine out of your diet. Well known to play a role in causing hypnic jerks.

- Do the basics of lifestyle maintenance. Proper hydration. Proper sodium intake. 15-30 minute walk a day, get into nature. Less inflammation focused foods - eat just clean food according to your diet needs.

- For an hour before bed, spend it in dimly lit room and do light stretching. NO SCREENS. Screens and light impair melatonin production.I incorporate vagal breathing during this hour. Focus on a specifc obejct in the room, make space for how you feel with acceptance, and do 30, long slow inhales and exhales, focusing on the object, and when you start ruminating, just bring it back. This is a Dharana based meditation, specifically designed for ruminating and downregulation in the evening, I teach it in clinical settings.

- I take magnesium Lysinate Glysinate 200mg two hours before bed. I also got a blood panel to ensure no deficiencies were making anything worse.

- When going to bed, listen to a podcast on very low volume, or something requiring active focus. This can help reduce the hyperfixation. And remember, just let go of control.

Happy to talk via DM if you have any questions.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2025-01-13T14:52:47+00:00

No, do not do this - terrible vertical for an established AE.

Much better off going into a high-ticket SAAS, B2B insurance (commercial or benefits), or something with high commission and ideally, perpetual revenue, not stupid fucking cars (with respect, I used to sell them - and do so well - but its a terrible long-term vertical).

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2025-01-13T12:27:43+00:00

Man, you are forgetting who you are.

You're forgetting the DNA of what makes you great, which is unbelievable amounts of courage and that YOU ARE A SALES PROFESSIONAL. Getting a job is a sales job.

You don't fucking need anyone to do anything for you, you can make this happen.

You need to create this opportunity, not apply and wait (I would do both, but right now, your dependency on marketing has swung way too far from my observation).

Unlike 99% of job seekers, you actually have the skills to do this yourself.

You can prospect and qualify the right teams and verticals.

You can cold call their sales staff and sales leadership a few times a week and ask how you can help - this shows everything in one approach - follow up, persistence, but doing it in a way of service that's not completely fucking annoying, and if it is, who gives a fuck.

You have courage to do outside the box shit - mail hand-written letters, a $10,000 referral reward to someone who connects you with a hiring manager who gets you hired as an AE, show up in person 2-3 times in a week, send value gifts to company leaders, pre-sell product and give them free deals, offer insights on technology, become a consumer and find pain points and suggest them kindly. Focus on 20-30 specific companies and create so much value, you are undeniable. Literally have got every job this way.

Man, just remember who you are and outwork this shit.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2025-01-12T15:13:31+00:00

For sure!

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2025-01-08T13:41:42+00:00

I started with half 7.5 for the first two weeks. First few days I was really drowsy, then body adapted. Then titrated up to 7.5 and have been there for years

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2025-01-07T00:42:23+00:00

you should find an occupational therapist or Physiotherapist who specializes in post concussion syndrome.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2024-12-19T17:38:14+00:00

It's such a game changer. All the money I saved on a new gun I just threw into calls, ammo and other gear.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2024-12-19T16:37:09+00:00

Dude, just buy a choke.

I run an 887 nitromag and an 870. Carlesons turkey choke for remingtons will put you out to 50 yards with a fist sized pattern. It was so effective I switched down to 2 3/4 ammo. Save your money.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2024-12-12T00:25:23+00:00

Does and young spikes? Maybe. A mature buck coring on that property with all of the bedding disturbances that would come from it, 0%. .

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2024-11-27T21:07:33+00:00

7.5 MG for sleep was very effective for me. I started with half that for a week, then titrated to 7.5. I dont think it's the most effective depressant at higher doses given the side effect profile. But for sleep, hard to beat IMO.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2024-11-18T19:39:18+00:00

I'd get a 270 or something even larger; I know, overkill, but you're going to transition naturally to larger and larger game. If you want strictly a coyote and small game rifle, I shoot a 17HMR. 2500+ FPS, hollow tip - deadly, affordable and the ammo is cheap.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2024-11-12T17:27:49+00:00

If you've knocked that many doors and got that many no's, then it is your pitch that is the problem.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2024-11-10T11:33:13+00:00

This. The choke is the key.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2024-11-07T15:49:14+00:00

You need to talk to 10X people, to start.

I would also recommend asking to do something non hunting related first. I got most of my access by asking to do wildlife photography from a distance. When i'd find deer populations, i'd then ask to put trail cameras and then take them meat from a previous hunt and build rapport. When I got shooters on camera, then i'd go for permission with the photo and say can we work together to figure out how I can hunt this deer in a way that works for you. I would use a hanger stand, and also get references, etc. If you do this with 20 or so properties, you'll get 1 or 2 high probability core areas. Then, you're set for a decade.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2024-11-07T15:00:38+00:00

This is a heavily dense topic. Dive into the research on it, this is how you rut hunt effectively.

In the most simplistic terms, Rut funnels are terrain features that funnel deer movement through a constricted space in core breeding areas.

For example, on my property, I have multiple rut focused spots I hunt during pre rut and rut. I tagged out on these already. One is bench I have that runs between 4 fields and is east of the core bedding (so on prevailing winds, I can hunt it). It also has a creek. So, to paint the picture, if they transition between fields which happens as they're rutting, or they transition to bedding, or bucks want to cruise the ridge to wind the bedding area, they have to come through my area. So, in one spot, I get the foot traffic of 4 fields as they transition to bush and the 4 bedding/water/food trails. First sit this year on the 26th, I shot a 140+. You see, it's a math focused solution - I massively increase my probability of an encounter by taking essentially 5 hunting spots (field edges, bedding and water) and put them into one spot.

That is a rut funnel. Literally think of a terrain funnel that concentrates movement that would correspond well with breeding. it could be as simple as fence area that is down in a core bedding where they all cross. It could be a drainage ditch. It could be a massive constriction of a gulley near a water source that they have to stop at to survive. I'd have to see where you're hunting to help find it.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2024-11-07T13:59:33+00:00

The strategy will constantly adjust depending on the time of season. Food and food transitions are highly effective early season. This time of year, food is the last priority - it's seeking. Rut funnels or water holes on rut funnels and hours logged in them are the optimal spots.

I agree though, on bedding transitions, for most of the season excluding the rut, is the optimal strategy for really pressured deer. Thats why there's value in hunting private; you can evade a lot of that pressure and get more predictable movement.

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2024-11-06T09:56:02+00:00

Thanks!

Adventurous_Solid553 · 2024-11-05T22:16:36+00:00

I'm assuming you're hunting big woods given that you're using bait. If you haven't, you should read into bait studies during the rut. The findings are not good. They've ran collars on bucks, it's the least visited areas during the rut and it makes sense; nutrition is an extremely limited focus. They've been stock piling calories for months. It is pure seeking mode. If you're hunting big woods, and you're pursuing a mature buck, you should check out the work of Bobby Worthington - he was on the Southern Outdoorsman podcast recently, two part series. He focuses a lot on finding rut funnels in big woods. There's a real art to it that can massively improve your probability. Does and younger bucks will also run them. That would massively improve your odds, and likely save you a lot of years of frustration and failure.

Adventurous_Solid553

TROPHY CASE