Re: Proposal to establish a…

Re: Proposal to establish a hunting season for the double-crested cormorant in Ontario

I understand that there may be valid reason for establishing a hunting season in order to control the number of double crested cormorants in Ontario. Establishing a season from March 15 to December 31 with a daily bag/possession limit of 50 birds sounds more like a slaughter than a hunt.

Perhaps many consider these birds to be a nuisance but they are no more of a problem than Canada geese have become. As a naturally occurring species in our environment, they deserve our tolerance and protection.

If an open season is declared for the double crested cormorant:

• Daily bag and possession limits should not exceed those set for other migratory game birds such as Canada geese or mallard ducks.
• The open season should be limited to the Fall season, not to exceed the duration of the Canada goose season.
• Birds should be taken on the wing and not shot while nesting, perching or on the water. To allow these birds to be taken while swimming will endanger the common loon. It is difficult to distinguish a cormorant from a loon while these birds are on the water.
• Under no circumstances should the regulations allow the birds to be disturbed or shot during the nesting season. To kill the adults while they are caring for the young is inhumane.
• Hunting of water birds should be avoided during the height of the boating and canoeing season, for the safety of boaters.

The ideal situation would be to not establish a season and allow the numbers of birds to regulate naturally.