Cormorants have become quite…

Cormorants have become quite numerous across southern Ontario. Their prevalence may be one factor affecting Common Loon declines.

I support controlled hunting of cormorants with the following additional requirements:

That the dead bodies of shot cormorants must be collected by the hunter and disposed of in an environmentally friendly way - at least removed to an upland area well away from wetlands and open waterbodies. This is especially important where large numbers have been shot in one location.

That shooting from boats be prohibited, since even stationary boats are not steady, and so hitting a desired target is less likely.

That the dates for allowed hunting be restricted so as to exclude the nesting season.

That shooting cormorants when they are close to other waterbirds be prohibited.