I became a waterfowl hunter…

I became a waterfowl hunter and outdoorsman as a teenager in the 1960s, and later traded in the shotgun for a camera. Wildlife management and ethics around hunting are of interest to me. I support waterfowl hunting but am strongly opposed to the proposed Cormorant hunt and earlier commented on the lack of science-based evidence to support the need for such a hunt. In my view the MNR's proposal is uncharacteristically ill-conceived and indicative of poor public policy. Here are four reasons, mostly economic in nature, for this view that I would like considered by the MNR:

1. The proposed Cormorant hunt is not part of an integrated, forward-thinking wildlife management and ecosystem strategy - For example, what is MNR’s plan for when the near term inevitability of Asian Carp entering and breeding in the Great Lakes and Ontario’s rivers happens? As has been the case in the US, Asian Carp will wreak havoc on Ontario’s commercial and recreational fisheries by reducing game fish populations. How do Double Crested Cormorants fit into the future MNR strategy to manage this invasive and very problematic fish species? It seems to me that when this happens, in addition to other strategies, we will need every available Cormorant in Ontario working overtime eating Asian Carp. Some relatively small and isolated islands and shorelines damaged by Cormorant droppings is a small price to pay for the greater beneficial purpose they can serve in controlling the Asian Carp population when it gets to our waters. Where is evidence of an integrated, forward policy-making context from MNR? In this light it would be very easy for commercial and sports fishermen, cottagers and recreational boaters to get behind a policy that basically leaves the Cormorants alone as part of the larger ecosystem and renders the current proposal to begin a large scale slaughter of Cormorants as short-sighted. What MNR Deputy Minister and Minister would want to have the Cormorant slaughter policy as a leadership legacy?

And, to this we can certainly add the inevitable disturbance to other waterfowl and shorebirds of a three-season hunt, that includes their breeding season. As well, the inevitable killing and injuring of other species misidentified as Cormorants.

2. This proposal conflicts with the government’s important “Ontario Open For Business” messaging – We are in fierce competition with the US to attract new businesses, immigrant professionals, and direct foreign investment to Ontario. Particularly new economy businesses and the highly qualified talent that will help them grow, create jobs, and enhance Ontario’s tax base. A prime consideration for these companies and their employees in any relocation is quality of life, and that includes sound environmental stewardship and values. Regressive government policy such as the proposed Cormorant hunt sends exactly the wrong message to prospective immigrants and good corporate citizens looking to relocate to Ontario. Does the Minister responsible for economic development in Ontario really want to have to explain to these prospects how the government's policy of slaughtering Cormorants will enhance their quality of life if they relocate to Ontario?

3. The proposed Cormorant hunt will cause reputational and economic damage to the Ontario Tourism industry – Tourists come to Ontario in large part, to enjoy a peaceful outdoors experience, particularly during summer months - not to be unwillingly affected by a Cormorant hunt. Who wants to rent a cottage on a lake in June and be woken up at sunrise by shotgun blasts from hunters? Who wants to explain to the kids that the injured bird flopping around in the water was carrying food to its nestlings, who will now die a miserable death by dehydration and starvation? Which resort owner wants to map out for tourists who sport fish, the areas on a public Ontario lake that are no-go because the tourists may be at risk from shotgun pellets? Has MNR actually given any thought to these questions? The minister responsible for tourism in Ontario should be concerned because this proposal, if implemented, has much potential for reputational and economic damage to our tourism industry.

4. This proposal will, in effect, create an unethical slaughter of Cormorants (rather than a "hunt") and incent it to be commercialized – The construct of this policy proposal to hunt Cormorants (long open season during nesting, 50 bag limit, no accountability for dead and injured birds), will effectively turn it into a slaughter rather than a hunt. Good commercial hunting guides may get involved and do their best to bring some semblance of ethics to the hunt, however by design this proposed hunt will attract people looking to make a quick buck and the worse type of hunter - those who hunt to kill with no respect for the wildlife they are destroying. Ethical hunters do not treat wildlife as targets, do not kill wildlife for the sake of it, and will not be interested in the hunt. It is absurd, and a low point in wildlife management that the MNR is proposing such a hunt. We really can do better in Ontario. This hunt, if it occurs, will serve as a terrible example of hunting ethics for young aspiring future hunters and as such really does a disservice to Ontarians.