The federal government is contemplating a proposal to introduce a fresh hunting season for tundra swans in the Prairie provinces, a move that has raised concerns about potential risks to trumpeter swans, a closely resembling and vulnerable species. Proposed amendments to Canada’s migratory bird regulations would establish a new hunting season for tundra swans in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. While tundra swans are hunted in some U.S. states, they are currently protected in Canada at the federal level.
David Duncan, a hunter and former biologist, warns that a tundra swan hunt could result in accidental shooting of trumpeter swans, which cannot be hunted in North America due to their sensitive status. Given the similarities in appearance and overlapping habitats of the two species, distinguishing between them can be challenging, especially for hunters in flight.
Trumpeter swans, once considered threatened in Alberta, have seen population recoveries across North America, now being classified as a species of special concern. The risk of inadvertently shooting trumpeter swans while hunting tundra swans is a significant concern expressed by Duncan.
Tundra and trumpeter swans are the only native swan species in Canada, with the mute swan, a species from the Eastern Hemisphere, considered invasive. Trumpeter swans, known for their impressive wingspan of up to three meters and hefty weight of up to 13.5 kilograms, are among the largest waterfowl species globally.
To address the potential threat to trumpeter swans, wildlife biologist Frédérique Tremblay from the Canadian Wildlife Service highlights measures taken in the U.S. to minimize accidental killings of the wrong species, including hunter education and mandatory reporting of harvested tundra swans. The proposed hunt would allocate permits for tundra swans in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
The federal government aims to provide new hunting opportunities while boosting hunting outfitters and businesses through the proposed tundra swan hunting season. The proposal is currently in the consultation phase, seeking public feedback before any formal decision is made. Stakeholders’ interest in a tundra swan hunt triggered the proposal, with public input open until Feb. 15 through email submissions.
Additionally, the proposed migratory bird hunting changes include opening a hunting season for mourning doves in the Prairie provinces and expanding the sandhill crane hunt in Alberta. Alberta’s Ministry of Forestry and Parks expresses support for science-based and sustainable wildlife management, emphasizing informed decisions based on population data, conservation, and stakeholder input. The earliest possible implementation of new hunting seasons, if approved, would be in 2028.
