The federal government is considering allowing sandhill cranes to be hunted in northern Ontario, potentially starting this fall. The Canadian Wildlife Service is proposing a controlled hunting season to manage the growing crane population that has been causing damage to crops, following requests from hunters and farmers. The proposal marks the first time that sandhill cranes could be legally hunted in Ontario.
Christopher Sharp, a population management biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service, stated that data collection on sandhill cranes in Ontario and Quebec revealed increasing conflicts with farmers. The evaluation was based on migration patterns and population levels, leading to the conclusion that a limited hunt could be sustainable.
The eastern population of sandhill cranes in Ontario and Quebec, estimated at around 100,000 birds, has seen significant growth in recent decades. This population has rebounded from near extinction in the past due to unregulated hunting and habitat destruction. The species has adapted well to agricultural landscapes, contributing to their thriving numbers.
To address conflicts with farmers and provide hunting opportunities, the proposed hunting season would be restricted to certain areas in northern Ontario where cranes are most abundant during fall migration. The season would last two weeks, allowing hunters to harvest one crane per day in designated farmland areas. Hunters would need appropriate licenses to participate, with public feedback on the proposal open until Feb. 12.
Interest in hunting sandhill cranes is expected to be moderate but steady, with some hunters referring to the bird as the “ribeye of the sky” due to the quality of its meat. Sharp emphasized the importance of a conservative approach to hunting to ensure sustainability and minimize disruption to the species’ habitat.
