I am firmly opposed to this…

I am firmly opposed to this proposal. I am not a hunter myself but I was raised by one and I can not imagine that this proposal is being fought for by many in the ethical hunting community. A 10 month season that includes the summer? Fifty birds a day? Of a bird that no one wants to eat, and so would need special permission to spoil? What happened to don't kill what you can't use? This is not a proposal for a hunting season based on sustenance or sportsmanship - it's a proposal for a free-for-all slaughter.

Cormorant colonies may not appeal to some people, but they are a native species that belong here. In locations where there are specific concerns of a large colony impacting on other bird species or the health of trees or soil, management needs to be evaluated on a case-by case basis. Targeted harassment, nest destruction and egg oiling can decease the size of a specific colony when required without unnecessary cruelty and without opening up individual birds or small colonies of a healthy size to eradication. Wildlife management decisions should be made with care, not be off-loaded to local hunters.

As for concerns over the depletion of sport fish, aim efforts at restoring shorelines, controlling industrial and agricultural runoff to improve water quality, and reducing invasive species (such as the Round gobies the cormorants are known to eat). Restore forested wetlands near existing cormorant colonies to spread out the population. If stock fish are being released in a waterbody, do so at night when they can find cover before cormorants and others wildlife begin hunting by daylight. In other words, instead of a new hunting season, focus on doing the work that will increase fish numbers to the benefit of anglers and wildlife alike.