Proposed Tundra Swan Hunt on Prairies Sparks Concern for Trumpeter Swan Safety

The federal government is proposing to establish a new tundra swan hunting season in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan—a move that has sparked significant concern among experts who fear it could lead to the accidental shooting of the look-alike trumpeter swan, a protected species. 🔍 The Core Conflict: Two Swans, One Big Problem The central issue is that the two native Canadian swan species are extremely difficult to distinguish, especially in a hunting scenario. Tundra Swan: The target of the proposed hunt, currently a federally protected species in Canada but hunted in some U.S. states. Trumpeter Swan: Cannot be hunted anywhere in North America. In Alberta, it has recovered from a "threatened" status to a "species of special concern". David Duncan, a retired biologist and hunter formerly with the Canadian Wildlife Service, warns, "A good bird watcher can tell the difference... but most hunters wouldn't." The challenge is greatest when birds are in flight, making it hard to spot key identifying features like bill shape or subtle size differences (trumpeter swans are larger, with wingspans up to 3 meters). 🛡️ Proposed Safeguards and Government Position The Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) acknowledges the risk but believes it can be managed. Wildlife biologist Frédérique Tremblay points to U.S. data where the accidental kill rate of trumpeter swans is "very low". The proposal includes several protective measures: Strict Limits: A proposed total of 1,500 permits across the three provinces (500 in AB, 600 in SK, 400 in MB). Mandatory Reporting: Hunters would be required to report all kills within 24 hours to confirm the correct species was harvested. Hunter Education: Programs to teach hunters how to differentiate between the two swans. The government states the hunt would create new opportunities for hunters and outfitters and was developed in response to stakeholder interest. 📝 The Bigger Picture and How to Weigh In This tundra swan proposal is part of a larger package of suggested changes to Canada's migratory bird regulations. Other proposals include: Opening a mourning dove season on the Prairies. Expanding Alberta's existing sandhill crane hunt to more areas. The government is currently in a public consultation phase. You can submit feedback on all these proposals by emailing MbregsReports-Rapports-Omregs@ec.gc.ca until February 15, 2026. The earliest any new season could be implemented is 2028.