As way of introduction I…

As way of introduction I hunt, fish and trap. I have seen the rise of the cormorant population over the last 36 years. In 1984 when I moved to area along Georgian Bay we would occasionally observe a cormorant or two. I have seen them grow in numbers that would have been hard to imagine in 1984. once while fishing on the bay out from Waubaushene we observed a constant flight inwards that I would estimate easily over 2 thousand cormorants.I have also observed the increase in raptors both hawks and eagles in the areas I frequent.A nother benefit of banning DDT!

Islands that used to be used by gulls are now barren of anything but cormorants. All vegetation is dead. This includes trees and greenery. They need to be controlled! I would suggest spring and fall culls.closed june,july and august. Some people may eat them but I have no intention(tried eating greater merganser and it was unpleasant) they need to be disposed.In order to track numbers killed i would suggest 50 bird limit and pay a bounty $3 to $5 to encourage people not to shoot and leave floating.Ministry offices could offer same to bear hunters in those districts or proper burial. I am aware of the MNR oiling of eggs but the population continues to grow unchecked.we know they don,t just consume smelt and alewifes! When I see 100 birds diving in the same bay I am fishing bass I know what they are eating!They need to be culled, it also has to be done with consideration of those that see it as a mass murder of a species. Set a goal number per year, report kills and location within 48 hours to MNR.