As a resident of Pelee…

As a resident of Pelee Island (western Lake Erie) I am concerned that hunting Cormorants will be more of a nuisance to my community than a benefit. There is a large population of Cormorants around Pelee Island and a nesting area on Middle Island just to the south. If Cormorant hunting occurs it will most likely occur in my area.

Presently, Cormorants don’t constitute a nuisance to me personally as an angler, recreational hunter and on my family’s visits to the beach.

If Cormorant hunting is allowed, however, I fully expect that hunters will not retrieve and dispose of Cormorant bodies appropriately (regardless of regulation) and their carcasses will begin to wash up on our shores. These decaying carcasses will interfere with people who would like to enjoy my community’s shoreline.

Secondly, as a recreational hunter I find the current proposal to hunt Cormorants offensive. Shooting Cormorants (or any other animal) gratuitously with no intention of utilizing the carcass is unethical.

Additionally, encouraging this form of hunting (i.e. gratuitous killing) will give a negative reputation to recreational hunting in general.

Therefore, I am against Cormorant hunting in and around my community.