Snapping turtle season/ species of special concern /proposed changes to acts

[efouge23]

Hey everyone, sorry for the long post incoming

I'm sure most of you know about the proposed changes to small game and the Fish and Wildlife act, most of them seem to be part of the MNRF's big master plan to "simplify and streamline wildlife management", which to me sounds like "making things easier for us" but that's a different issue.
I wanted some input on snapping turtle hunting , specifically if anyone actually goes out and actively hunts these guys legally? The reason I say legally is because in 2012 4 hunters reportedly killed only 12 snapping turtles over the season, that really seems like a small number to me. They have also lowered the bag and possession rate for these guys.

Anyway I'm doing a policy project on the Species at Risk act and found these guys fall under both SARO and the Fish and wildlife act for hunting.
after doing a little more digging , the only reason these guys are listed as special concern is that they have very slow and quirky reproductive rates with very low adult recruitment, as part of their natural phenology.
So from what I see from this is that the populations are fine and stable right now and that snapping turtle hunting is sustainable as long as this low harvest rate continues?
I have seen petitions to stop the harvest of snapping turtles and bullfrogs but it doesn't really seem like there's proof that their population is in danger other than the fact that snapping turtles are a "species at risk".

So does anyone here actually hunt snapping turtles? if you have for a long time have you noticed any sudden decline in adults? any info on populations from people actually going out hunting would be greatly appreciated!

[fratri]

No hunting of snapping turtles or data to go along with your inquiry.................... but do see lots of them run over by cars.......

Maybe because our human population is growing and new subdivisions are being built all the time............. more are getting killed by cars then ever before?..... The government can't do anything about the cars, so they try and limit the harvest? Just a guess...

[rick_iles]

No hunting of snapping turtles or data to go along with your inquiry.................... but do see lots of them run over by cars.......

Maybe because our human population is growing and new subdivisions are being built all the time............. more are getting killed by cars then ever before?..... The government can't do anything about the cars, so they try and limit the harvest? Just a guess...

Thats always ticked me off ! There's no excuse for hitting a turtle on a road...it's not like they "run" out in front of a car !!

[duckslayer]

Thats always ticked me off ! There's no excuse for hitting a turtle on a road...it's not like they "run" out in front of a car !!

Yes I hear you Rick but with your profession I'm sure you know how many people are driving around with their heads up their azzes..........it's just unreal.

I have stopped and moved many turtles off the road but I'm sure they just wander right back out.

[efouge23]

No hunting of snapping turtles or data to go along with your inquiry.................... but do see lots of them run over by cars.......

Maybe because our human population is growing and new subdivisions are being built all the time............. more are getting killed by cars then ever before?..... The government can't do anything about the cars, so they try and limit the harvest? Just a guess...

yea from my research on them the #1 threat to them is their habitat being turned into human habitat and #2 is road mortality..I know in guelph from all the fishing and hiking in the last 5 years or so I've only seen 2 big snapping turtles . I don't know if that's alot but 1 of them was right smack in the middle of a new subdivision in a storm drain.

[G Skinner]

Still lots in the Speed river system in Preston (Cambridge ) Area .
Glen

[Monks]

I always wondered why a season for them if they are a species of special concern. I will say I will see 50-75 every summer on the lakes I fish. I don't know anyone around me including avid hunters and trappers who have ever killed them for food. I hear they are quite good to eat but have no desire personally to kill one for food. I see lots every summer, however very few roads for them to have to cross, which is the main cause if their demise for all turtle species. Good luck with your project.


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[Sharon]

Even though hey are on the "special concerns" species list along with spinys , that doesn't provide much protection.
Found one newly - killed by a train once. Eggs all over the place. Couldn't believe how many eggs there were. I buried them , but probably a futile exercise.

https://www.ontario.ca/environment-a...e?name=Turtles

[rfb]

Turtles, any species of turtle, should not be allowed to be harvested in this day and age. They are declining drastically world wide. They are ill equipped to deal with modern threats and pressures.

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[Monks]

Turtles, any species of turtle, should not be allowed to be harvested in this day and age. They are declining drastically world wide. They are ill equipped to deal with modern threats and pressures.

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I agree with this. Look at what happened with the Galapagos turtles. Easily targeted species, slow reproduction and no defence against harvesting pressure.


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