The Hunters were an obscure secret society from early 19th century America. They appear to have somewhat resembled Freemasons structurally and were apparently dedicated to the removal of the British from North America. It is claimed that their lodges may have numbered as many as 60,000 members. They were associated with a "Patriot's" movement in Canada. They attacked Windsor, Ontario in 1838 and were driven off and dispersed after a pitched battle. In November 1838, a force of about 1500 men started from New York to seal off the St Lawrence River and thereby allow a hypothetical revolt to take place in Upper Canada. This was apparently intended to mirror the Texas revolution that had recently separated Texas from Mexico.

About 300 men actually occupied and held a stone windmill at Prescott, Ontario where a five day battle called The Battle of the Windmill was fought against British regulars and Canadian militia. The rebels were eventually captured, tried, and in some cases executed.