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.