The George Langman Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary is owned and operated by the Orillia Fish and Game Conservation Club. This 60 acre parcel of land consisting mainly of marsh land was donated to the club by the kindness of Mr. George Langman in 1962 and has, since that time, seen many uses and purposes, including the raising and banding of wild ducks and turkeys.
Over the past few years the club has been busy developing a natue and wildlife trail on the property which is open to the public 7 days a week. This includes a 
partial boardwalk and provides an excellent opportunity to view and enjoy the exciting flora and fauna there.
Along the trails you may see many rare plants and animals, some, native only to this general area.
For the enjoyment of everyone we have bird pens and enclosures near the front gate along with a picnic area. The trail is level and relatively dry, but it is advisable to wear boots after a heavy rain or during the marsh’s high water level (spring and later in fall).
The property is also home to the club’s conservation and education center in which there are meeting rooms and offices used by the club, schools and other community minded groups. In future, when monies will allow it is hoped that more educational displays and information will be available for use.
NO HUNTING IS PERMITTED ON OR WITHIN 400 METRES OF THE SANCTUARY!
*NOTE: all text on this page taken directly from the OFGCC Flyer.
George Langman Sanctuary 
Dear OFGCC:
I have enjoyed the Geo. Langman property for many years, ever since a field trip in elementary school. Just recently I visited the property again to snowshoe around the lake.
Despite this, there is one component of the sanctuary that has always made me uncomfortable – the presence of wild birds such as pheasants, turkeys, etc. kept on-site in wire pens. Many of the birds pace up-and-down in their cages, similar to the pacing of stressed zoo animals.
I am not sure, especially in this day and age, why a conservancy is still maintaining this practise. I am a fervant believer in leaving wild creatures in their natural habitat. There are plenty of other ways for people to learn about nature, other than keeping wild animals confined to a pen.
Not having the birds would not decrease my enjoyment of the sanctuary – in fact it would make me inclined to donate to the club whenever I visit. Right now I do not wish to contribute to the maintenance of wild birds kept in captivity.
I am sure I am not alone in feeling this way.
My hope for 2010 is that the OFGCC will re-think its practise with respect to the birds at the Geo. Langman sanctuary, and will release these birds back into the wild where they belong.
Thank you
Having grown up in Orillia, some of my fondest childhood memories are of times spent at the Orillia Fish & Game’s Bird Sanctuary. Daily after school My Father and I would travel out the dusty bass lake gravel roads to the sanctuary where we would spend real quality time together feeding all of the ducks, geese, pheasants, turkeys and whatever other birds were in the care of the Sanctuary at that time.
During these most educational years spent at the sanctuary, I gained first hand experience incubating eggs, assisting with raising young goslings, ducks etc, and even participating in the first ever wild turkey release in Ontario. I could fill these pages with fond stories of the many learning experiences i was able to enjoy both t the sanctuary and the tree farm, and find the above post rather un-informed and offensive to the great work done by the club and it’s dedicated members over the years.
I travel home to Orillia a few times a year, and a stop in to visit the sanctuary for it’s natural beauty, and both wild and penned birds that are still in the clubs care.
as for the above post, maybe spending some of your free time donating your services to the club and it’s more than noble efforts and goals, you may learn something about the great good done by the club, and hec maybe even want to donate to it, I sure know I will be.!
Please do not let one persons narrow mindedness tarnish the great work done by the club, it’s members over the years and it’s volunteers. None of the birds have ever looked in poor health or appeared to be kept in poor conditions in all the years I have been visiting.
Keep up the amazing job and continue to build on this important legacy handed down from those who served before you!
Imagine seeing birds both wild and some penned at a SANCTUARY… a Bird Sanctuary of all places,…Duh! would they be better served being kept say maybe at the local dog pound?. Get informed before you bash what you appear to know very little about….
Thanks
Respectfully,
Tom S
Sorry, Tom, but despite your valediction “Thanks, respectfully” your reply was not respectful at all. I hardly think my observations on the caged birds could be construed as “bashing” the entire sanctuary, its volunteers, and its history.
Quit your right-wing parading and come out with a clear answer to the question instead, which still goes begging: What exactly is the purpose of keeping these wild birds penned up and pacing incessantly in cages? And, if strictly for educational purposes, is this really a sufficient justification in this day and age? Why not release these creatures back into their natural environment instead?