The Fingal Wildlife Management Area (FWMA) exists on an old World War II air force training base. Some of the habitat restoration activities included the removal of the military infrastructure, development of a series of ponds, planting of trees and shrubs, establishment of hedgerows, food and cover plots and brush piles. Today, the area is complete with interpretive hiking trails, a viewing station and hunting during the fall from controlled access points in the south parking lot.
It is on 724 acres of crown land and is co-managed through a partnership agreement between the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Elgin Stewardship Council. Close to 100 acres of this land consists of natural habitats including forest, deciduous and coniferous plantations, tallgrass prairie, ponds and hedgerows. The purpose of this land use is to provide habitat for upland game species, as well to provide wildlife-based recreational activities like hunting, hiking, research, environmental education and nature appreciation. 395 acres is under active farming. Having these different land uses together provides a demonstration area to show how wildlife and agriculture can co-exist.
Annual Youth Hunting Day Events
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Establishing a 40 km trail network for the public to use
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Adding interpretive signage to help visitors learn about the property and wildlife that depend on the variety of habitats present
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Working with local groups including the local army cadets to assit with management of the site
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Developing a new partnership with the London Royal Astronomical Society for viewing stars at night
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Establishing a reforestation plot to compare the differences in survival and growth of native hardwood seed and seedlings
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Building of new viewing stands over looking the tallgrass prairie field
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Developing a management plan for the site
Trails
FWMA has three main hiking trails; War-of-Roses, Tallgrass Prairie and South Woodlot. The tallgrass prairie trail has a viewing stand within that over looks the Carmichael Pond. Here is a great place to see many waterfowl, or even eat your lunch. The War to Roses Trail is a 1.5 km route that follows the old Air Force road system, combining nature and history together.
Link to trail map:
http://www.elgintourist.com/sites/default/files/editor_media/132_Fingal_Trail_Map.pdf
We would also direct you to read our DISCLAIMER and our TRAIL USERS CODE.
Nearby towns and cities: Fingal | St. Thomas
Trail feature tags: Interpretive signage | Viewing Platform
FINGAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA TRAILS characteristics
Length: 21 km of trails of varying lengthsDifficulty: Moderate (Trail classifications)
Trail surface: Natural
Trail use: Hiking
Accessibility Notes: Accessibility not known.
Fees: None reported
Flora & Fauna:
During breeding and migration season, over 200 species of wildlife can be identified. This vast amount of wildlife at Fingal makes it perfect for wildlife related activities, including hunting. Each year over 200 ring-necked pheasants are released for hunting to compliment the other small game species that can be harvested on site during the open season and in accordance with Provincial Hunting Regulations. Hunting small game is permitted on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during appropriate seasons and in accordance with Provincial Hunting Regulations. Hunting for deer and wild turkeys is not permitted at FWMA at any time. Access to the site for hunting purposes is controlled through the south parking lot along Scotch Line where there are 10 marked parking spaces to control hunter numbers. Parking and hunting in an unmarked space is prohibited.
Amenities: Picnic area
Attractions: Interpretive signage, Viewing platform
Contact:
tourism@elgin.ca
Elgin Tourism 519-631-1460 x 168 Toll Free 1-877-GO ELGIN (463-5446) x 168
Find it: 34479 Fingal Line, Fingal, ON
GPS Coordinates (main trailhead):
Latitude: 42.6889530
Longitude: -81.3327010
View larger map
Found two adult racoons dead at the base of trees in the last week…I think the hunters have run out of things to shoot.
Went to FWMA area for a leisurely walk with my reactive dog to help him learn not to lunge and growl at other dogs.
I was surprised by how many people now know about the area as when I was there about 3 years ago there was no one else there.
We liked the cleared trails, the information plaques and map along with the paper map to take along. Even appreciated the clean and mostly bug free washrooms.
Only draw back was the unpleasant entitled man with two boys and a Great Dane that was let out of the back of the suv and allowed to run straight at us with no attempt at recall or curbing what could,with a reactive dog, been bad. When I said please control your dog he yelled that is is an off leash area and I can let my dog run where it wants. It tried to intercept my dog as he came around behind me and I yelled No and it backed away. When I said my dog is reactive and I’m trying to train him so please get your dog away, this person’s response was to again yell its an off leash area and walk quickly away with his boys running to keep up. Their dog had run way ahead and jumped on small young lab an older woman had on a leash and was having trouble handling as she was working on manners too.
We encountered the Great Dane later running down a trail by itself with the kids running after it screaming and yelling at it to stop. It again ran at us and I yelled NO in my mom voice and it backed away and ran of in another direction. The kids came running up and one yelled at dad that the dog wasn’t listening and it’s that lady again. When he finally caught up and saw us he told the kids to keep moving and practically ran away from us in the direction the dog had gone.
Over all the walk was great for my boy as we encountered 4 other dogs off leash. 1 was very well mannered and just walked right past with no concerns. 2 were slightly reactive and 1 of them came toward us but the owner immediately called it back and apologized. The other dog we saw was more reactive than my boy but they leashed him when they saw us and had him under control while we went by fairly calmly with only one leash correction and a firm no on our end.
Now I have no issue with the off leash area idea even though there is no signage saying it is a designated off leash spot. Signs do say to clean up after your dog, to have it under control and that FWMA is jot responsible for any damage or injury to you or your dog.
I would love to have my dog run and play and have a great workout but not until he has the off leash manners acceptable to everyone using the area that is why we are in training and need the encounters with dogs on and off leash.
So to the 4 dogs and their owners who made our walk an enjoyble fun learning experience a big thank you. And to the one bad owner, I hope your beautiful dog stays healthy and safe because without control and manners that dog will never reach its full potential.
Hi, I was wondering if you guys have a sign posted that dogs need to be leashed at all times??? Everytime I go people have dogs off leash & that doesn’t seem right at all & people are telling me to get over it, I’m sorry but any off leash dog that comes at my girls is a problem & some girl told me to get over it, I know central Elgin bylaws are the same as London for off leash (dog parks only)
Thanks for your post about signage at Fingal Wildlife Management Area. Ontario Nature Trails does not, itself, own or manage any of the trails listed on its website. We simply provide a database of nature and hiking trails throughout Ontario. I would suggest that you email your concerns to the Elgin Stewardship Council at elgin1@bellnet.ca or call them at 519-631-4491. Or contact the local MNR office as they co-manage the property.
Dear Melissa,
I’m sorry to hear that you felt threatened by off-leash dogs at Fingal. It has become one of our favourites to bring our dog. Our dog needs to run and there are so few places you can let them do this. We cannot keep our dog on a leash and keep up with her needs. I hope you could find a lovely place to walk where dogs are not found off leash. Gibbons Park in London for example is really lovely and I doubt you would find an off-leash dog there.
I agree. Common courtesy is leash your dog while passing others. We have been charged at by barking dogs, had wet, muddy dogs jump all over us. If your dogs cant behave leash them. Not everyone wants dogs jumping on them
Hello Melissa and Nancy,
Then please find another place to walk where dogs will be leashed. This is grounds for hunting training, for dogs to meet and learn commands as well as run and have a great time. There are multiple places where you are able to find trails with specific rules. In the politest way possible, Please stop ruining things for the rest of us, when you have many options. Pinafore park is right close by, might be up your alley where dogs are required to be leashed.
Thanks,