The Canadian federal government is contemplating a plan to introduce a fresh hunting season for tundra swans in the Prairie provinces, a move that has raised concerns about the potential impact on trumpeter swans, a closely related and vulnerable species.
As per the proposed modifications to Canada’s migratory bird regulations, a new hunting season for tundra swans would be established in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. While tundra swans are currently a protected species at the federal level in Canada, they are hunted in certain U.S. states.
David Duncan, a hunter and former biologist, warns that a tundra swan hunt could result in the accidental shooting of trumpeter swans, which are a sensitive species protected from hunting across North America. Due to the overlapping habitats and striking resemblance between the two species, distinguishing them, especially in flight, proves challenging for most hunters.
Trumpeter swans in Alberta, once classified as a threatened species, have seen a significant population increase in recent decades and are now considered a species of special concern. The potential for incidental shooting of trumpeter swans during a tundra swan hunt is a major concern highlighted by Duncan.
Tundra and trumpeter swans are the only native swan species in Canada, with the mute swan, a species from the Old World, being considered invasive. Trumpeter swans, known for their impressive wingspan of up to 10 feet and being among the heaviest native birds in North America, have witnessed notable population recoveries.
Wildlife biologist Frédérique Tremblay, representing the Canadian Wildlife Service, assures that the federal government is mindful of the risks posed to trumpeter swans and cites U.S. data showing minimal accidental killings of the wrong species. To safeguard trumpeter swans, measures akin to those in some U.S. states, such as educating hunters to differentiate between the two species and mandating prompt reporting of tundra swan kills, are being considered in Canada.
The proposal envisions issuing 500 tundra swan permits in Alberta, 600 in Saskatchewan, and 400 in Manitoba for the prospective hunt. The federal government anticipates that a tundra swan hunting season could present new opportunities for hunters, stimulate hunting-related businesses, and align with stakeholder interests.
Public consultation remains ongoing regarding the proposed hunting season for migratory birds, with the opportunity for feedback open until February 15. Apart from the tundra swan hunt, the proposed amendments also include introducing a mourning dove hunting season in the Prairie provinces and expanding sandhill crane hunting in Alberta.
Alberta’s Ministry of Forestry and Parks has expressed support for science-based wildlife management practices, including responsible hunting expansions, contingent on conservation and population data. The earliest possible implementation of any new hunting seasons resulting from the proposal would be in 2028.