The DCCO is not in any way,…

The DCCO is not in any way, shape or form a game bird. Defining it as such, establishing a hunting season and generous bag limit, then having a special regulation change to allow waste of edible meat (although I've never heard of anyone attempting to eat a cormorant) is utter political nonsense that caters to special interest groups like Cormorant Defenders Int'l and the like. DCCO should be treated like the common crow, English sparrow, cowbird, common grackle, and other overly abundant non-native and native pest species - allow hunting year round and properly dispose of carcasses when required. I would agree that shooting with a shotgun using steel shot is the method to use, as the birds generally nest, roost , and migrate near and over water bodies. The use of rim fire rifles should also be allowed, especially in roosting and nesting areas, as the close distance required to shoot with a shotgun could cause undue disturbance to the nesting activities of other colonial nesting waterbirds (such as Great Blue Herons, Black Crowned Night Herons, etc.) which typically nest amongst DCCO.