The Canadian government is contemplating a plan to introduce a new hunting season for tundra swans in the Prairie provinces. This proposal has raised concerns from a hunter who believes it could pose a threat to trumpeter swans, a similar-looking and sensitive species.
Under the suggested changes to Canada’s migratory bird regulations, a new hunting season for tundra swans would be established in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. Although tundra swans are hunted in certain U.S. states, they are currently protected at the federal level in Canada.
David Duncan, a hunter and retired biologist, warns that the resemblance between tundra and trumpeter swans, coupled with overlapping habitats, could lead to accidental shootings of trumpeter swans, which are a protected species. He emphasizes that distinguishing between the two species can be challenging, especially for hunters in flight.
Trumpeter swans, once considered threatened in Alberta, have seen significant population growth across North America and are now classified as a species of special concern. The potential hunt for tundra swans raises concerns about unintentional harm to trumpeter swans.
To address these concerns, the Canadian Wildlife Service is considering measures to protect trumpeter swans during the proposed hunting season. Data from the U.S. suggests that accidental killings of the wrong species are minimal when populations overlap, as education and reporting requirements help mitigate such risks.
If implemented, the proposed hunt would allocate permits for tundra swan hunting in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The government aims to create new opportunities for hunters while supporting local businesses, but public feedback on the proposal is being sought before any final decisions are made.
Aside from tundra swans, the proposed migratory bird hunting changes also include opening a hunting season for mourning doves in the Prairie provinces and expanding the sandhill crane hunt in Alberta. These changes are part of a science-based wildlife management approach, in consultation with stakeholders and aimed at sustainable expansion of hunting opportunities.
The federal government is currently in the consultation phase, seeking public input on the proposed regulatory amendments, including the new hunting seasons. Feedback can be submitted via email until February 15th, with potential implementation of the new hunting seasons as early as 2028.