Tundra Swan Permits Have Increased

[Buddy Boy]

Hello Honker 220,

I recall that the Ontario Trumpeter Swan population in 2010 was about 600 birds and now (according to you) are about 1000 birds ... a 66% increase from only five (5) years ago.

Jerome Katchin, D.V.M.

[Rodbender]

Why no talk on hunting the Mute Swans??? they are an invasive species

[Snowwalker]

Why no talk on hunting the Mute Swans??? they are an invasive species

The funny part of that is that they are owned by the Queen of England. She would have to allow it. Don't think it would be hard to get permission, but Canada has to ask.

[Buddy Boy]

Hello Rod Bender,

The Mute Swan was placed on the List of Protected Species by mistake many years ago as the Mute Swan is not native to North America and only species that are native to North America are to be on it.

Although the Mute Swan is an "invasive species" and should be "eliminated" where possible the CWS and MNRF are not pushing this issue.

I did submit a proposal to delist the Mute Swan from the List of Protected Species in October of 2010 following consultation with Dr. Scott Petrie earlier in the year.

He has advocated the elimination of this species in several articles that he has written.

Perhaps the OFAH should be pushing this issue forward.

Jerome Katchin, D.V.M.

[Buddy Boy]

Hello Guys,

I just received the following update from The Trumpeter Swan Society regarding the expansion to the Tundra Swan hunting opportunities in the United States.

Please submit an e-mail or a letter to Ms. Dawn Sucee (Fish and Wildlife Biologist, OFAH) indicating your support for a Tundra Swan season in Ontario if you have not already done so.

Sorry ... unable to cut and paste the update at this time ... will get some assistance and try again later.

Jerome Katchin, D.V.M.

[Buddy Boy]

Hello Guys,

Here is the update. Please read my thread "Trumpeter Swan Population Report" so that you will understand the rationale for the changes.

Jerome Katchin, D.V.M.

Proposed changes to Tundra Swan hunts will impact Trumpeter Swans

In the Central and Atlantic Flyways, Tundra Swans of the Eastern Population are currently hunted through a permit system in five states (Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, North Carolina, and Virginia). Hunters find it difficult to distinguish a Tundra Swan from a Trumpeter Swan. In those states, any hunter who mistakenly shoots a Trumpeter Swan during the Tundra Swan season is violating the law by taking a species for which no hunting season has been authorized.

The USFWS proposal includes the option allowing the current five states in those two Flyways to not penalize hunters for mistakenly shooting a Trumpeter Swan in the Tundra Swan hunt.

The proposal would also allow for states in the Central, Mississippi and Atlantic Flyways, where no Tundra Swan hunting is currently allowed, to open a future Tundra Swan season under certain conditions, with accidental take of Trumpeter Swans allowed without hunter penalty. New swan hunt proposals could include states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio that have restored Trumpeter Swans, and also have Tundra Swans migrating through in the fall to their wintering grounds on the East Coast. Limiting the total allowable take of Trumpeter Swans is also being considered for existing and new proposed hunts in those Flyways.

Comments can be electronically submitted here to the USFWS. Any comment submitted should be attributed to you personally, rather than being offered as representing TTSS. The Society has already submitted comment.

If you prefer to mail your comments: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-HQ-MB-2017-0028; Division of Policy, Performance, and Management Programs; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC; 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041