What is being proposed is…

What is being proposed is not a comparable hunting season. This is a cull.

Looking up the information on other waterfowl including Canada geese, cackling geese, ducks, rails, gallinules, coots, snow geese, Ross geese) hunting seasons generally range from September 1st through January 5th.

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/migratory-…

These are set AFTER the breeding. With this reasonablr timing, nests are not left empty and chicks are not left to die. The season being proposed for the cormorants is March 15th through December 31st. This is almost six months longer than the other waterfowl and runs straight through the breeding season.

Even the 2019 overabundance species note for the snow geese and Ross geese is not as long as what is being proposed for the cormorants. This lists March 1st through May 31st. Which also works to exclude June through August, a prime time for breeding season.

This difference is not acceptable. This timeframe outlines a cull and not a hunting season. The season should be adjusted to be comparable to the other waterfowl.

The daily limit on the cormorants is excessively high compared to the other waterfowl:
- 5 x Canada and cackling geese
- 6 x ducks
- 20 snow geese and Ross geese
- 5 other geese
- 10 rails, coots, gallinules
- 50 double crested cormorant
That's 2.5 times more then the highest, which is snow geese and Ross geese.

This differential is unacceptable, again outlining a cull. The limits should be adjusted to be in line with the limits on the other waterfowl.

The notation outlines that provisions are being pursued to allow the hunters to allow the meat to spoil. With the volumes outlined and the season time frame outlined, this again outlines a cull and not a hunting season. If the scientific consensus is that a cull is needed than a single monitored cull should be implemented. Legislation should be put into effect separate from the cull creating a hunting season and limits comparable to that of other waterfowl.

Additionally, this type of reminder in this type of public notice outlines that there is already insufficient monitoring and insufficient self-regulation -
This is a very worrisome notation: " Hunters will continue to be reminded to properly identify their targets to avoid conflicts with migratory game birds and other waterbirds." Is there a fear that they will be shooting any darkbird out on the water? Is the additional licensing fee that is being charged sufficient to allow for sufficient monitoring of hunters who require this type of notation?

Lastly, I am disgusted that "aesthetics" has been listed as part of the reasoning and information provided. Perhaps the individuals who are offended by the appearance of cormorants and their natural functions should move into the city and avoid looking at anything near a park, farm, municipal waste dump, or municipal sanitation plant.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments in such an easy forum.