First Class Duck Hunt on Walpole Island

If you are an avid duck hunter looking for an interesting waterfowl trip, the W.I.R.G.C. is well worth considering.

The name Walpole Island should resonate with duck hunters. It’s long been considered a duck mecca, and acre for acre it probably holds more ducks than any place in Ontario. That’s due to the fact that it is bordered by Lake St. Clair, a substantial but relatively shallow body of water that plays host to hundreds of thousands of waterfowl during the fall migration. Add the abundance of grain fields and expansive marsh, and you’ve got all a duck could ask for. It only follows that those in the duck hunting fraternity should migrate there too, and clubs such as the Walpole Island Rod and Gun Club (W.I.R.G.C.) offer first-rate hunting and accommodations.

My dad and I headed to W.I.R.G.C. on a blustery and rainy day in mid-October. The clubhouse is a long building featuring eight private bedrooms and a common area on either end. Amidst the mounts and waterfowl decor, we fuelled up on light snacks in the clubhouse before heading to the boats to meet our guide.

hunter in water
Our guide Finny picks up a hen mallard at the hunt’s conclusion at Southern Ontario’s Walpole Island.

Soon we were navigating a maze of well-groomed cattails in the 1,640-acre marsh, passing numerous hunting ponds en route to ours. All set-up and retrieving duties were handled by our guide, Finny, who has years of experience as a duck guide. The rain stayed the action for a while, but before long our guns were blazing and ducks were dropping. We had a great time that night and headed back to the clubhouse to find a hot supper waiting. We chatted with several members of the club that night, hearing their stories of success while sipping on fine Canadian whisky. Before long, we were tucked into bed in anticipation of the morning’s hunt.

walpole rod and gun club clubhouse

Walpole Island Rod and Gun Club clubhouse in Southern Ontario.

The action the following morning was steady and continued until after 10 am. Mallards were numerous, which was precisely what we were after. As good as the duck hunting was, the real draw to me was the marsh itself. Having hunted and guided a lot in Southwestern Ontario, I’ve never seen such an expansive marsh, spanning as far as we could ever see over the cattails. My only lament was that our shooting could have been better, and dropping a couple of birds in the ultra-thick Phragmites proved a challenge to retrieve. A good dog would certainly have come in handy.

The marsh and its storied tradition and being able to hunt with my father in luxury made for a trip I won’t soon forget. If you are an avid duck hunter looking for an interesting waterfowl trip, the W.I.R.G.C. is well worth considering.

(All photo credits: Scott McGuigan)
About Scott McGuigan

Scott is an accomplished outdoorsman and outdoors writer, and a regular contributer to Ontario OUT OF DOORS Magazine on his topic of passion: Waterfowling.

Recommended Articles

Crossing the Border into Canada

How to legally bring your hunting rifle into Canada.

Grouse Hunting in Sunset Country

You won't have trouble reaching your ruffed grouse limit here

Deer Hunting in Sunset Country

An overview of deer hunting in Northwestern Ontario—and what the future holds

Black Bear Camp

Bird Hunting in Northeastern Ontario

A Hunter's Dream for Grouse

Experience Branch's Seine River Lodge in the Fall

An Unforgettable Moose Hunt by Boat

Going remote at Birch Bark Lodge

Archery Grouse

A dad reflects on his daughter's journey from young archer to experienced hunter and outdoor enthusiast.

A Beginner's Guide to Hunting in Ontario

Everything a first timer needs to know.

Moose Tales

A fly-in hunting adventure in Ontario

Big Ontario Bull Moose at 8 Yards

An epic moose hunt into Northern Ontario's remote wilderness.

How to hunt black bears

How to Scout locations, Bait & Place a Tree Stand

North Country Lodge

A Gem Nestled on the Shores of Canyon Lake

Top Pheasant Destinations

6 amazing places in Ontario that offer quality pheasant hunts.

Becoming a Trapper

What you need to know and consider before you become licensed.

Ground Blind for Deer

Why You Should Use Ground Them

Grouse Hunting Outfitters In Ontario’s North

The pros and pros of heading north for grouse

A Whitetail Hunt with Border Country Outfitters

Paul Beasley treks to Sunset Country in hopes of landing a trophy whitetail

Long Point Bay

Ontario's Prime Duck Hunting Grounds

Snow Hunt for Moose

Late Season Hunt for Moose in Ontario

Turkey Tips and Tricks

Turkey Calling and Decoy Placement