Swans

[CP]

When are we going to get a season on these?  They are everywhere.

[seth30]

When the wolves have a season

[Special T]

I think its goi g to be hard to get one. We have several hurdles. The main argument is that hunters cannot tell the difference between kinds of swans. Not a very good argument but the closest comparable is the dusky goose in sw wa.  The second major hurdle is the pacific flyway rules can only be changed if we can get California's and Oregon's game agencies to go along with it.  We cannot even get a seperate bag limit for mergansers like the other flyways. In order to controll cornmerants the usfw has to kill them on the lower Columbia instead of opening a season.

Additionally there would be a lot of upset bird watchers who would fight it tooth and nail. Likely with the aide of the Audubon society.  They have make life hard on lots of Falconeers.

So likely never...

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[huntingfool7]

Never going to happen in Washington.  If you want to hunt swans, you'll need to put in for a permit and be willing to travel.

[singleshot12]

The Trumpitor swans are outa control, the Whistlers not so much. The state needs to put neck bands on as many Trumpitors as possible. Then sell swan tags to shoot neck banded swans only,say 2 a year per hunter. It would be a win win situation for everyone including the farmers,except the Swan Society I suppose

[Bill W]

I think its goi g to be hard to get one. We have several hurdles. The main argument is that hunters cannot tell the difference between kinds of swans. Not a very good argument but the closest comparable is the dusky goose in sw wa.  The second major hurdle is the pacific flyway rules can only be changed if we can get California's and Oregon's game agencies to go along with it.  We cannot even get a seperate bag limit for mergansers like the other flyways. In order to controll cornmerants the usfw has to kill them on the lower Columbia instead of opening a season.

Additionally there would be a lot of upset bird watchers who would fight it tooth and nail. Likely with the aide of the Audubon society.  They have make life hard on lots of Falconeers.

So likely never...

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We used to have a separate 5 bird limit on mergies that stopped somewhere in the 80's.

[lokidog]

The state is missing a money making opportunity by not encouraging the Feds to allow a swan season... permit application fees, transport tag fees, etc.   

[CP]

Minnesota opened a season last year for their tribes -

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_26840762/tribes-begin-two-month-swan-hunting-season-limitations

It was to close if more than 10 trumpeters were killed, similar to what WA does for Duskies

[Special T]

Could it be possible? You bet. Is it very likely even with lots of effort? Not so much.

I think the best thing we could do for salmon is a seperate merganser limit and cornmerant hunting but we cant seem to make that happen.

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[boneaddict]

funny, I've never had the urge to blast one.   Usually quite enjoy seeing them.  Swans that is, not mergansers.    Pelicans on the other hand. Lol

[Tealer]

It will never happen. It has been passed around for years. To many hippies in WA.


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[h2ofowlr]

I've scene 6 different swans shot on Fir Island over the past 9 years from guys thinking they were snow geese.  I can only imagine what would happen if they opened that season.  They would have to require some sort of ID course for those applying.

[JJB11B]

I think its goi g to be hard to get one. We have several hurdles. The main argument is that hunters cannot tell the difference between kinds of swans. Not a very good argument but the closest comparable is the dusky goose in sw wa.  The second major hurdle is the pacific flyway rules can only be changed if we can get California's and Oregon's game agencies to go along with it.  We cannot even get a seperate bag limit for mergansers like the other flyways. In order to controll cornmerants the usfw has to kill them on the lower Columbia instead of opening a season.

Additionally there would be a lot of upset bird watchers who would fight it tooth and nail. Likely with the aide of the Audubon society.  They have make life hard on lots of Falconeers.

So likely never...

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USDA Actually pays guys to shoot a limited number of Cormerants and Seagulls at the dams

[Colin]

I've scene 6 different swans shot on Fir Island over the past 9 years from guys thinking they were snow geese.  I can only imagine what would happen if they opened that season.  They would have to require some sort of ID course for those applying.

I was just about to ask how many swans get shot by idiots as it is. Seems like I always hear of one or two every season. How is it even possible to mistake a swan for a snow?

Seems like a lotto permit would draw a lot of money. Idk if there is any waterfowler who doesn't think they could fill their tag.

[huntingfool7]

I've scene 6 different swans shot on Fir Island over the past 9 years from guys thinking they were snow geese.  I can only imagine what would happen if they opened that season.  They would have to require some sort of ID course for those applying.

Utah has an online ID test.  Applicants must pass that before putting in the permit application.

[Special T]

I think its goi g to be hard to get one. We have several hurdles. The main argument is that hunters cannot tell the difference between kinds of swans. Not a very good argument but the closest comparable is the dusky goose in sw wa.  The second major hurdle is the pacific flyway rules can only be changed if we can get California's and Oregon's game agencies to go along with it.  We cannot even get a seperate bag limit for mergansers like the other flyways. In order to controll cornmerants the usfw has to kill them on the lower Columbia instead of opening a season.

Additionally there would be a lot of upset bird watchers who would fight it tooth and nail. Likely with the aide of the Audubon society.  They have make life hard on lots of Falconeers.

So likely never...

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USDA Actually pays guys to shoot a limited number of Cormerants and Seagulls at the dams

I know one of the guys that does some of the shooting of Gulls for the USDA. Started the hell out of the fishermen around! He did get a few thumbs up also.   I just find it wasteful that we are paying for some of this instead of just opening hunting season with some kind of limit. I know lots of people that wouldnt shoot them. Me I might hang up my "hunting" for gulls, cormorants, mergansers, crows, magpies, coyotes and wolves!

[Skyhigh]

There are 28 types of gull species in North America. Gulls are no doubt some of the hardest birds to easily identify. The plumage of the juveniles of different species takes from three to four years to achieve an adult plumage. Some of the gull types have a non-breeding and a breeding plumage that change throughout the seasons. To make this even more challenging, gulls cross-breed with other types of gulls, forming hybrids that reflect the looks and characteristics of each of the parent birds. Then there are Tern species that every armchair biologist considers a " seagull"

Let's keep the professionals doing the depredation instead of some neandertol with a 12 gauge.

[Bill W]

The "gulls" referred to may be Caspian Terns.  Different birds.

[baldopepper]

I shot several back in Utah when they used to issue 2,000 permits per year. (drawing only).  Kinda weird when they come out of the sky, you almost expect to see someone jump out with a parachute on.  If you got a young one (still with lots of gray feathering) they weren't too bad eating-bugger to pick though and the meat was very, very dark.  Older ones were very tough eating and very difficult to pick.  Guess they congregate and stay where there is an abundance of sego pond lilies. Couple of refuges in Utah get as many as 30,000-40,000  congregated on them when they are in peak migration. 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Those look like Albino Geese to me.... 

[huntingfool7]

I've scene 6 different swans shot on Fir Island over the past 9 years from guys thinking they were snow geese.  I can only imagine what would happen if they opened that season.  They would have to require some sort of ID course for those applying.

It's unfortunate but you can't legislate common sense or discriminate against stupidity.  You can and should prosecute wrongdoing.

[JJB11B]

I think its goi g to be hard to get one. We have several hurdles. The main argument is that hunters cannot tell the difference between kinds of swans. Not a very good argument but the closest comparable is the dusky goose in sw wa.  The second major hurdle is the pacific flyway rules can only be changed if we can get California's and Oregon's game agencies to go along with it.  We cannot even get a seperate bag limit for mergansers like the other flyways. In order to controll cornmerants the usfw has to kill them on the lower Columbia instead of opening a season.

Additionally there would be a lot of upset bird watchers who would fight it tooth and nail. Likely with the aide of the Audubon society.  They have make life hard on lots of Falconeers.

So likely never...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

USDA Actually pays guys to shoot a limited number of Cormerants and Seagulls at the dams

I know one of the guys that does some of the shooting of Gulls for the USDA. Started the hell out of the fishermen around! He did get a few thumbs up also.   I just find it wasteful that we are paying for some of this instead of just opening hunting season with some kind of limit. I know lots of people that wouldnt shoot them. Me I might hang up my "hunting" for gulls, cormorants, mergansers, crows, magpies, coyotes and wolves!

My Grandpa does it just for something to do and to help defray the costs of hunting and fishing gear.

[Bill W]

Mergansers?  Yuck fish ducks!

Hence the reason for the once additional 5 mergie limit.

[lokidog]

Mergansers?  Yuck fish ducks!

Have you ever even tried one?  This is just as stupid as saying pink salmon out of the salt aren't even fit for dog food.   

[dreamunelk]

There is a big difference between Killing as part of your job then killing because of the blood lust.

What message does it send to those that don't hunt and are on the fence when hunters want to kill a bird that has just recently been brought back from the brink?  I remember when the Swans numbers were in the double digits in this state.  Just giving the antis more ammunition.

[huntingfool7]

In other states, taking a swan on a permit is not seen any different than shooting geese.  There are a lot of tundra swans in the central flyway and limited hunting is not an issue.  It's only here on the Left coast do you find such animosity about legal harvest.

[bigtex]

Could it be possible? You bet. Is it very likely even with lots of effort? Not so much.

I think the best thing we could do for salmon is a seperate merganser limit and cornmerant hunting but we cant seem to make that happen.

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Agree 100%