Mute Swan?

[Whitenuckles]

 So that post earlier, that disappeared, said something about it being legal to harvest a Mute Swan... Is this true? I cant find anything restricting it in the regs, but it doesn't say its legal ether. So whats the verdict?

[Dustin07]

LOL this one has been bugging you for a few days.

[Whitenuckles]

LOL this one has been bugging you for a few days.

You noticed that!!!! LOL  I found 5 of those critters today! And its killing me..... I've got to know if I can eat one. Ive never shot a Swan, but They have to be great table fair!!
Every where I look it says their an invasive species. Someone's got to clarify this for me!!

[chester]

where did you find them? 

[Dustin07]

i'll clear this up in 2 seconds.

[Dustin07]

oops no i wont. was going to call the wdfw but they are closed.

[Tealer]

I was told they are an invasive and go ahead and shoot them. Make sure they are mutes, I hear the fines are steep for tundras.

[Whitenuckles]

I was told they are an invasive and go ahead and shoot them. Make sure they are mutes, I hear the fines are steep for tundras.

I had the spotting scope on them for an hour or so... I figure I could walk right up to them and blast away... All the other Swans let me walk into range of them when im taking pics. Ill just have to make my shotgun look like a big camera.LOL

[Dustin07]

difference between mute and tundra is basically beak coloring?

I was told they are an invasive and go ahead and shoot them. Make sure they are mutes, I hear the fines are steep for tundras.

I have heard the fine is only $160.

[Whitenuckles]

Ya, they pretty much have a big knot on top of there culmen. And some orange coloring also.

[h2ofowlr]

difference between mute and tundra is basically beak coloring?

I was told they are an invasive and go ahead and shoot them. Make sure they are mutes, I hear the fines are steep for tundras.

I have heard the fine is only $160.

I had once thought about that, as that would be less expensive than a guided hunt, only issue is that they will confiscate the bird and it goes on your record for 10 years.  There is not an open season on them in this state.

[carver52]

I don't know about mute swans being good on the table, but I'll take a tundra swan over any mallard or canada you can find.  I've taken 2 over the years, in Nevada, and it is by far the best wild meat I've ever had.  But I guess you could duff it up by overcooking like any other wild meat.

Hard to beat the feeling when a flock of swans, with 7 foot wingspans, drops into your decoys.  They are HUGE.

[Skyhigh]

Why dont you call WDFW and report these "mute swans"

The public can call (360) 466-4345, ext. 266, and leave a message with their name and phone number, and the location and condition of the swans. The hotline is available 24 hours a day through the end of February.

[Dustin07]

my guess is if you take a mute swan, legal or not, in the north sound area and someone sees you, you will still have some 'splaining to do. The majority of people are going to see you walking out with a swan and assume you're a poacher.


H20, you're not the first person I've heard say that. I think a guided swan hunt would be cool too but yea pretty pricey. I think most states have a very limited bag, like 1? or 1 per day?  Would have to couple it with something else to make the trip worthwhile.

[Whitenuckles]

Why dont you call WDFW and report these "mute swans"

The public can call (360) 466-4345, ext. 266, and leave a message with their name and phone number, and the location and condition of the swans. The hotline is available 24 hours a day through the end of February.

Im going to call them today and find out if they are legal to harvest before I tell them the location of the birds!!