The federal government is reviewing a proposal to introduce a new hunting season for tundra swans in the Prairie provinces. This potential change in Canada’s migratory bird regulations would allow hunting of tundra swans in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. While tundra swans are currently protected at the federal level in Canada, they are hunted in some U.S. states.
The proposal has raised concerns from David Duncan, a hunter and retired biologist, who warns that a tundra swan hunting season could inadvertently harm trumpeter swans, a visually similar and sensitive species that cannot be hunted in North America. The overlapping habitats and similar appearance of the two species make it challenging for hunters to distinguish between them, especially when the swans are in flight.
Trumpeter swans in Alberta, once considered a threatened species, have seen population increases across North America, leading to their current status as a species of special concern. Duncan emphasizes the risk of accidental shootings of trumpeter swans if a tundra swan hunting season is implemented.
To address these concerns, wildlife biologist Frédérique Tremblay from the Canadian Wildlife Service mentions that the government is considering measures to protect trumpeter swans. Drawing from U.S. data where both swan populations coexist, she highlights the low incidence of accidental killings of the wrong species. Some U.S. states educate hunters to differentiate between tundra and trumpeter swans and require reporting of all tundra swan kills to confirm species accuracy.
Under the proposed hunting plan, permits for hunting tundra swans would be allocated in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The government aims to create new hunting opportunities while supporting outfitters and businesses in the region. Stakeholders’ interest in a tundra swan hunt has driven the proposal, which is currently open for public consultation before any formal decision is made.
In addition to the tundra swan hunting season, the government is considering other changes, including opening hunting seasons for mourning doves and expanding sandhill crane hunting in Alberta. These adjustments align with science-based wildlife management principles and aim to expand hunting opportunities responsibly based on conservation considerations and stakeholder input. The earliest possible implementation of new hunting seasons, including the tundra swan hunt, would be in 2028.