The federal government is reviewing a proposal to introduce a new hunting season for tundra swans in the Prairie provinces, which could potentially pose a risk to trumpeter swans, a closely resembling and vulnerable species, according to a hunter. The suggested modifications to Canada’s migratory bird regulations would establish a tundra swan hunting season in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. While tundra swans are legally hunted in some U.S. states, they are currently protected at the federal level in Canada.
David Duncan, an experienced hunter and retired biologist, expressed concerns about the potential confusion between tundra and trumpeter swans due to their similar appearances, leading to inadvertent shootings of the latter, which are a protected species across North America. Duncan emphasized the challenge for hunters in distinguishing between the two species, particularly when in flight and difficult to observe closely.
Trumpeter swans were previously listed as a threatened species under Alberta’s Wildlife Act but have since been reclassified as a species of special concern following significant population growth throughout North America in recent decades. The overlap in habitats of tundra and trumpeter swans further complicates the distinction between the two species, increasing the risk of accidental shootings.
Despite the risks, a wildlife biologist from the Canadian Wildlife Service, Frédérique Tremblay, assured that the government is considering measures to safeguard trumpeter swans, drawing from data in the U.S. where education programs for hunters on species identification have helped minimize accidental killings. The proposed hunting season would require mandatory reporting of tundra swan harvests within 24 hours to verify the correct species and allocate permits for tundra swan hunting in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
The federal government believes that introducing a tundra swan hunting season would offer new opportunities for hunters, support hunting outfitters and businesses, and respond to stakeholder interest in such a season. The proposal is currently in the consultation phase, welcoming public feedback on the suggested migratory bird regulatory amendments, including the proposed hunting seasons, until February 15 via email.
In addition to the tundra swan hunting proposal, the government is considering opening a mourning dove hunting season in the Prairie provinces and expanding the sandhill crane hunt in Alberta. These potential changes are part of the government’s commitment to science-based wildlife management and sustainable hunting practices, with a focus on conservation, stakeholder engagement, and jurisdiction alignment. The earliest possible implementation of the new hunting seasons is projected to be in 2028.