The federal government is currently reviewing a proposal to introduce a new hunting season for tundra swans in the Prairie provinces, a move that could potentially put trumpeter swans at risk, according to a concerned hunter. Proposed amendments to Canada’s migratory bird regulations would allow for tundra swan hunting in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, despite their current protected status in Canada.
David Duncan, a hunter and former biologist, warns that the similarity in appearance between tundra and trumpeter swans could lead to accidental shooting of the latter, which are a sensitive species protected from hunting across North America. The overlapping habitats and physical resemblance of the two species make it challenging for hunters to distinguish between them, especially when the swans are in flight.
Although trumpeter swans were once classified as a threatened species in Alberta, their populations have significantly increased in recent decades, leading to their current status as a species of special concern. The proposed tundra swan hunting season raises concerns about potential harm to trumpeter swans due to misidentification by hunters.
Wildlife biologist Frédérique Tremblay, from the Canadian Wildlife Service, acknowledges the risk to trumpeter swans and points to U.S. data showing low rates of accidental killings of the wrong species. To mitigate this risk, some U.S. states educate hunters on distinguishing between tundra and trumpeter swans and require reporting of all tundra swan kills for species verification. The Canadian proposal includes a similar reporting requirement for tundra swan harvests within 24 hours to protect trumpeter swans.
The proposed hunt would issue permits for 500 tundra swans in Alberta, 600 in Saskatchewan, and 400 in Manitoba. The government aims to provide new hunting opportunities while supporting outfitters and businesses. The proposal stemmed from stakeholder interest in tundra swan hunting and is currently in the consultation phase, allowing for public feedback until Feb. 15 through email submissions.
In addition to the tundra swan hunting proposal, the government plans to open a mourning dove hunting season in the Prairie provinces and expand sandhill crane hunting in Alberta. These changes are part of science-based wildlife management efforts, with future adjustments informed by population data, conservation needs, stakeholder input, and jurisdictional alignment. The earliest possible implementation of new hunting seasons would be in 2028.
