Tundra Swan Permits Have Increased

[Buddy Boy]

Hello Guys,

The USFWS has increased the Tundra Swan permits by 25% for the 2017 -2018 season. This means that there will be another 2400 tags available over the regular 9600 tags for the Eastern Population of Tundra Swans this year.

If you want to hunt Tundra Swans then you can go to the United States or contact Delta Waterfowl and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters to tell them that enough is enough ... you want our 41% share of the tags. If you do not ask then you will not hunt.

I prepared a Tundra Swan fact sheet that provides a review and update on the hunting of swans in North America from 1615 to the present. I provided 100 copies for the Delta Waterfowl Norfolk Chapter Dinner in June. Did anyone see them?

For more information see Wildfowl Magazine (Vol 32 No 4 Page 11).

Jerome

[Gadwall]

Ya ... I think it is time for Canada to get our share of the swan hunt, and we thank Jerome for his work on this subject.

A Tundra season here could also give us an opportunity to start lowering the Mute swan population ... I would love to see a tag for a Tundra Swan, which allows the holder to shoot Mute swans until they fill the tag ... in other words, shoot swans one at a time, if you shoot a mute, do not tag it ... this can continue until you actually shoot a Tundra, then you are done shooting swans. I am not sure this would fly, but personally if I had a tag, the mute swan population would go down around here, they are easy to tell apart, and I could likely take 50 mutes a year without taking a Tundra. That was just a thought I had to help get the mute population down, or at least under control since they go up each year.

[jaycee]

Ya ... I think it is time for Canada to get our share of the swan hunt, and we thank Jerome for his work on this subject.

A Tundra season here could also give us an opportunity to start lowering the Mute swan population ... I would love to see a tag for a Tundra Swan, which allows the holder to shoot Mute swans until they fill the tag ... in other words, shoot swans one at a time, if you shoot a mute, do not tag it ... this can continue until you actually shoot a Tundra, then you are done shooting swans. I am not sure this would fly, but personally if I had a tag, the mute swan population would go down around here, they are easy to tell apart, and I could likely take 50 mutes a year without taking a Tundra. That was just a thought I had to help get the mute population down, or at least under control since they go up each year.

But can you yell the difference between a Tundra and a Trumpeter ?

Trumpeters and Tundras are similar looking species that are more difficult to identify. Reports from wildlife observers will help biologists monitor the recovery of Trumpeter Swans. Positive identification is essential, as Trumpeters often mix with flocks of the relatively common Tundra Swan throughout their migration and winter range.

Distinguishing Trumpeters from Tundras is not easy, but it is possible by paying close attention to a few distinctive characteristics.

I have seen many post on here by [hunters] saying they are seeing a lot of snow geese when what they are seeing are actually "Tundra " Swans.

If hunters ? cannot tell the difference between a snow goose and a tundra swan, HOW are they going to distinguish the difference between a tundra and a trumpeter swan?
This is where I have a problem with a swan hunt around here, too many yahoo's that just want to kill.

[greatwhite]

They seem to hunt them OK in other jurisdictions no problem, why would it be different someplace else?

[Snowwalker]

But can you yell the difference between a Tundra and a Trumpeter ?
I have seen many post on here by [hunters] saying they are seeing a lot of snow geese when what they are seeing are actually "Tundra " Swans.
If hunters ? cannot tell the difference between a snow goose and a tundra swan, HOW are they going to distinguish the difference between a tundra and a trumpeter swan?
This is where I have a problem with a swan hunt around here, too many yahoo's that just want to kill.

funny you should say that...
swangoose.jpeg

[jaycee]

They seem to hunt them OK in other jurisdictions no problem, why would it be different someplace else?

Reread my post above yours !

[johny]

There are loads of arctic (Trumpeter) swans in Northwest Ontario.
Ten years ago, there were only four nesting pairs.
Now the number has much higher.
Last fall I saw, in two areas separated by over 100 km, groups of swans numbering 25 in one place, 17 and 10 in the others
swans.jpg
.

They are clearly increasing their numbers.

Having one of Her Majesty's swans for Christmas Dinner would be great.
But I doubt we will ever be included in the zones of legal hunting.

[Buddy Boy]

Hello Guys,

I am writing in response to your comments.

Gadwall. You have an interesting idea whereby a Tundra Swan permit would permit an individual to hunt Mute Swans as well. However if the Mute Swan was removed from the List of Protected Species (it never belonged there) then it would be the same as a starling ... no season per se and no bag limits. However I would suggest that you convey your support and idea to the CWS nevertheless.

Jaycee. As previously discussed on another thread there could be some sort of mandatory Swan Identification Course or a swan brochure issued with the permit. Another idea that I have previously suggested is that there could be No Swan Hunt Zones where Trumpeter Swans are located. Since the Trumpeter Swans are mainly located in eastern Ontario a limited (tag only) Tundra Swan season could be restricted to south western Ontario to reduce the risk of an incidental harvest of a Trumpeter Swan. I have forwarded this idea to the OFAH staff for their due consideration.

Great White. There apparently has been no problems with the Tundra Swan seasons in the United States. The Trumpeter Swan Society (TTSS) would also review any proposed Tundra Swan season to reduce (not eliminate) the risk of an incidental harvest of a Trumpeter Swan as per my ongoing correspondence with them.

Snow Walker. Thank you. Check out TTSS Web site for a really good swan identification brochure that you may download and print.

Johny. Trumpeter Swans are not called Arctic Swans but Tundra Swans were once called Whistling Swans. However the Trumpeter Swan population has been increasing over the last few decades ... especially the Interior Population. See the CWS Tundra Swan Season Assessment for more details. Only the Mute Swan is known as the Queen*s Swan.

For more information you may contact Mr. Jack Hughes (Manager, Wildlife and Habitat Assessment, CWS) by e-mail ([email protected]) or phone (1-613-949-8259).

Jerome Katchin, D.V.M.

[jaycee]

Jaycee. As previously discussed on another thread there could be some sort of mandatory Swan Identification Course or a swan brochure issued with the permit. Another idea that I have previously suggested is that there could be No Swan Hunt Zones where Trumpeter Swans are located. Since the Trumpeter Swans are mainly located in eastern Ontario a limited (tag only) Tundra Swan season could be restricted to south western Ontario to reduce the risk of an incidental harvest of a Trumpeter Swan. I have forwarded this idea to the OFAH staff for their due consideration.

Trumpeter Swans are also being raised here in this area, [south of Cambridge ] at Onondaga Farms, this as the way the Swan flies, is not far from Long Point.
We don't need any Trumpeter Swans shot by mistake in this area.

[Buddy Boy]

Hello Jaycee,

Thank you for that information about Trumpeter Swans.

I have seen and recognized Trumpeter Swans at Long Point. About two or three years ago I had a pair of Trumpeter Swans fly over my back yard one afternoon at about 1630 hours. The next day they flew over again at the same time and again about a week later at the same time.

Although Trumpeter Swans look similar to Tundra Swans they are a lot larger and they sound completely different. Again positive identification is a requirement just like differentiating between some species of ducks.

If in doubt ... do not shoot would apply to swan hunting as well.

Jerome Katchin, D.V.M.