The double-crested cormorant…

The double-crested cormorant is inedible for humans, therefore it does not meet the requirements of a "game bird." Hunters should not be allowed to waste life. Perhaps it could be considered game or prey to other predatory species, but not for human hunting. Introduce and increase the populations of other predator species in Ontario in order to control prey populations. This proposal is simply another example of the provincial government being fiscally wasteful, inefficient, ineffective, and prioritizing pro-hunting lobbies over Canadians and Ontario wildlife. The range of these birds in Ontario only spans the southern border and great lakes, and most of this is breeding territory. Hunting could have a devastating impact on nesting birds and babies and may drive the species out of the province entirely. This proposal looks to erase the biodiversity of Ontario and drive away lucrative ecotourism opportunities.

These birds have been previously decimated by human activities including the widespread use of DDT and through culls initiated by local fishing industries when these birds are simply consuming the fish they need to survive. It is thought that the great lakes populations have rebounded due to the abundance of non-native alewife fish. Perhaps the more logical approach to the population control of this bird species would be to focus efforts on enhancing and promoting the survival of native fish populations.

An open hunting season from March to December is effectively the entire span of time they come to breed and enjoy living in Ontario. With regards to hunting from a stationary boat, what kind of power/ability will government authority have in enforcing this? This seems like a rule that is impossible to enforce, will be largely ignored, and even if a hunter is caught and properly prosecuted it won't matter much to the victim. This is not a game of tag where if the predator does not follow the rules the prey gets another chance.

This Ontarian says do better. If fisherman and hunters want to eliminate something that is considered inedible and overpopulated, they can hunt each other.