The proposed hunting season…

The proposed hunting season for Double-crested cormorants, an ecologically important native species, by OMNR is a rather brutal approach to control a population and is unheard of in the population control of any animal in Ontario or Canada.

The risk that other bird species, such as herons and gulls, that nest with cormorants is high. They will be impacted by gunshot noise, disturbance from hunters accessing nesting areas leading to nest or chick abandonment, and the risk of being shot by mistake could be potentially high if hunters are unable to correctly identify the species or decide that other bird species are a pest and should be shot.

An ongoing hunting season throughout the summer near lakes, rivers, wetlands, and cottages will also put people who live in these areas or who undertake recreational activities there (i.e., hiking or camping) at risk of being shot.

I urge OMNR to reject this proposal as it has serious flaws and would be detrimental to the ecosystem and undermine responsible conservation practices.