Migratory bird hunting changes proposed

A one-month comment period for proposed changes to migratory bird hunting regulations ended on Feb. 28.

“The Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) is proposing various amendments to migratory bird regulations in an attempt to clarify bag limits, streamline season dates, and provide more hunting opportunities where sustainable, and increase harvest on overabundant species,” said OFAH Manager of Policy Mark Ryckman.

“These changes are largely positive, but we still have a lot of work to do on mute swan control and establishing a sandhill crane hunt.”

The biggest proposed change would allow an increase in black duck bags in all districts. The proposed limits are four in Hudson-James Bay, Northern, and Central Districts and two in the Southern District. The number of hunting days will be increased in the Southern District for black ducks from 90 to 107.

“Today, there is much better biological data for monitoring the population and harvest of American black ducks in eastern North America compared to the early 1980s when hunting restrictions were put in place,” said CWS waterfowl biologist Shawn Meyer. “Long-term data from the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey in the Eastern Survey Area indicate that the breeding population of black ducks is currently stable.”

Goose hunters gain opps

Goose hunters will also see increased opportunities in some areas, if approved. In the Central District, the opening day of the first Tuesday after Labour Day will be moved to Sept. 1 and the season will close on Dec. 16. WMUs 8, 10, 13, 37, 39, and 41 in the Northern District could see early-season limits increase from five to 10. Both changes are intended to increase harvest of local temperate breeding geese and reduce human-goose conflicts.

The mourning dove season will increase to 91 days and will be standardized in both the Central and Southern districts, starting on Sept. 1 and ending on Nov. 30.

“Since the implementation of a mourning dove hunt in Ontario, the OFAH has been asking for an earlier season opener to allow families to participate in this hunt during the Labour Day weekend and before youth go back to school,” said Ryckman. “This is a very positive change that will be welcomed by hunters.”

A proposal to align the opening days of grouse and woodcock in all districts was also open for comment.

The last change will clarify the bag limits for coots and the “other geese” grouping. Coot limits are currently an aggregate with woodcock and will be moved in with other marsh birds. Ross’s geese will be aggregated with snow geese, while white-fronted and Brant geese will be considered “other geese.”

If approved, these regulations would come into effect in September of 2018 and remain in effect through the winter/spring of 2020 inclusively.

Proposed increase in service fees

Environment and Climate Change Canada is proposing to increase the services fees for the Migratory Game Bird Hunting Permit and Conservation Stamp.

Each fee is proposed to rise by $2 in 2019 and 2020, and by $1.50 in 2021, bringing the fee to $28 by August, 2021. Fees would also be introduced to cover the costs of producing and/or mailing these products to customers. Future increases would be tied to the Consumer Price Index on a four-year interval.

Questions and comments should be sent by March 21, 2018 by email to: ec.reglementsfaunewildliferegulations.ec@canada.ca

Originally published in the April 2018 issue of Ontario Out of Doors

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