Hello Guys,
In response to comments:
Donald ... I forgot to say "thank you" for confirming what I have suspected for quite some time ... that many waterfowlers would be interested in being able to harvest Tundra Swans in Ontario.
If you recall I posted the results of my Tundra Swan survey of the LPWA membership from our AGM of 2011 whereby 85% of the respondents supported my Tundra Swan proposal and the remaining 15% of the respondents expressed some concerns but also an interest or potential interest in being able to harvest Tundra Swans in Ontario.
Duck Duck Goose ... If you recall Dr. M. Schummer (Scientist, LPW) expressed the position of Long Point Waterfowl at our AGM of 2011. He stated that it was the "socio-political" aspect of my Tundra Swan proposal that was the determining factor in Long Point Waterfowl not supporting my proposal at that time. He further stated that although there was no scientific reason not to have a Tundra Swan harvest in Ontario there was no scientific reason to have a Tundra Swan harvest in Ontario ... no dispute here. I agree that the Americans are very capable of controlling the Tundra Swan population at the current 100,000 bird level which is already 25% above the Eastern Population Tundra Swan Management Plan's objective of maintaining 80,000 birds.
Dr. S. Petrie (Executive Director, LPW) had previously made this very clear to me early in 2010 when I first discussed my Tundra Swan proposal with him. I have previously stated however that I realize that Long Point Waterfowl may receive substantial funding from the "bird watchers" of Ontario who may become "upset" with Long Point Waterfowl if they were to support my Tundra Swan proposal. Consequently I can fully appreciate their position from a financial perspective.
However should you agree with the Long Point Waterfowl's position regarding my Tundra Swan proposal then perhaps you would also agree that there is no scientific reason to have a duck harvest in Ontario or in all of Canada for that matter as the Americans are very capable of controlling the duck population at the current level without any help from us.
Pops ... I thank you for your comments however with regards to how my Tundra Swan proposal "will play out in public" that is for discussion at a later date. Under the Eastern Population Tundra Swan Management Plan any new eligible jurisdiction (the Province of Ontario in this case) requesting a Tundra Swan harvest would have to have public information sessions ... similar to what we saw in the early 1980s when the MNR introduced a Canada Goose harvest in southern Ontario.
Duck Tales ... I do not think that you are being "ridiculous" but perhaps a bit "narrow minded" in that you are not being inclusive with your definition. That is why I am continuing with my Tundra Swan proposal as the Tundra Swan is just another "waterfowl" species that is permitted to be hunted in North America. Incidently Mr. J. Hughes (Head of Population Management, CWS) recently sent me an e-mail thanking me for all the work that I have done to bring Tundra Swan hunting to Canada ... need I say more?
Your final comment would suggest that you are in favour of some form of censorship that would be beyond the rules that are currently in place for this waterfowl forum. I am entitled to my opinion and you are entitled to your opinion.
Wicket ... I thank you for your comments on Channel 6-8 as well as those that you have previously posted on the Hunt Ontario Waterfowl Forum regarding my Tundra Swan proposal.
I have heard about the impending changes regarding "flooded" corn fields in Ontario and I agree that we all have to support each other regarding all aspects of waterfowling ... regardless of whether we participate in that aspect or not.
Tinboater ... Your concern regarding the average waterfowler having the ability to differentiate between a Trumpeter Swan and a Tundra Swan is valid but not a reason to exclude a Tundra Swan harvest ... even the Trumpeter Swan Society acknowledges this. There are currently strategies in place within the United States to minimize the incidential (accidental) harvest of Trumpeter Swans and the Trumpeter Swan Society has produced an excellent identificaton pamphlet that can assist waterfowlers in this regard.
Another "safety" aspect that I have suggested to prevent an incidental (accidental) harvest of a Trumpeter Swan in Ontario is to have all prospective Tundra Swan hunters attend an identification seminar prior to being able to apply for a Tundra Swan tag. Remember that this would be a limited (tag only) harvest ... not open to all waterfowlers.
Furthermore the Trumpeter Swan population has been nearly doubling every ten (10) years and is currently at about 53,000 birds ... 43,000 in the Pacific Coast Population, 5,000 in the Rocky Mountain Population and 5,000 in the Interior Population.
In closing ... I will be able to focus on other projects that will benefit the LPWA members as well as other Ontario waterfowlers once my Tundra Swan proposal is implemented in Ontario. Next week I will be making my third annual $25,000.00 contribution to the Dr. Jerome Katchin Waterfowl Foundation ... a foundation committed to bringing Tundra Swan hunting back to Canada. You may review the financial resources that will be available to organizations (including the LPWA) supporting my Tundra Swan proposal (see my "Tundra Swan Proposal - Update and Results of Survey" thread).
I thank all the waterfowlers who support my Tundra Swan proposal.
Sincerely,
Jerome Katchin, D.V.M.
PS In the western part of North America the Tundra Swan population is currently at 80,000 birds which is already 33.33% above the Western Population Tundra Swan Management Plan's objective of maintaining 60,000 birds.