The Canadian government is reviewing a proposal to introduce a new hunting season for tundra swans in the Prairie provinces, a move that has raised concerns about the potential impact on trumpeter swans, a visually similar and sensitive species.
Proposed amendments to Canada’s migratory bird regulations would establish a hunting season for tundra swans in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. While tundra swans are legally hunted in some parts of the United States, they are currently protected at the federal level in Canada.
Hunter and retired biologist, David Duncan, warns that the resemblance between tundra and trumpeter swans, combined with overlapping habitats, could lead to accidental shootings of trumpeter swans, which are protected and cannot be hunted in North America.
Duncan highlights the challenge of distinguishing between the two species, particularly in flight when it is difficult to observe their distinguishing features. He draws from his experience as a biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service to emphasize the risks posed by a tundra swan hunting season.
Trumpeter swans were once classified as a threatened species in Alberta but are now considered a species of special concern due to population growth. Duncan asserts that hunting tundra swans could result in unintended shootings of trumpeter swans.
Tundra and trumpeter swans are the only native swan species in Canada, while the mute swan, originating from the Old World, is considered an invasive species. Trumpeter swans, with a wingspan of up to three meters, are one of the largest waterfowl species globally and the heaviest native bird in North America.
In response to concerns, wildlife biologist Frédérique Tremblay from the Canadian Wildlife Service states that potential risks to trumpeter swans have been considered. Measures such as hunter education and mandatory reporting of tundra swan kills have been successful in the United States in minimizing accidental shootings.
The proposed tundra swan hunting season would allocate permits in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The government aims to balance conservation efforts with providing hunting opportunities and economic benefits for outfitters and businesses.
Stakeholder interest has driven the proposal for a tundra swan hunting season, currently in the consultation phase to gather public feedback before any final decision. Public input on the suggested migratory bird regulatory changes, including proposed hunting seasons, can be submitted via email until Feb. 15.
In addition to the tundra swan hunting season, the proposed migratory bird hunting amendments include expanding hunting seasons for mourning doves and sandhill cranes in the Prairie provinces. Alberta’s Ministry of Forestry and Parks supports science-based and sustainable wildlife management practices and is open to responsibly expanding hunting opportunities based on data and conservation considerations.
The earliest possible implementation of any new hunting seasons resulting from these proposals would be in 2028.
