Cormorant Hunting Proposal by MNRF

[Lunker Larry]

“Wildlife” in New Policy Proposal Notice: Title: Proposal to establish a hunting season for double-crested cormorants in Ontario

Title:

Proposal to establish a hunting season for double-crested cormorants in Ontario

Ministry:

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

Date Proposed:

2018-11-19

Comment Period:

45 days: submissions may be made between November 19, 2018 and January 03, 2019.

Comment Deadline:

2019-01-03 (please check the registry to confirm deadline)

URL:

http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/...

Registry #:

013-4124

2 Excerpts Mention “Wildlife”:

“...establish a bag limit of 10 cormorants/day with no possession limit.

5) Prescribe shotgun and shot size/type requirements consistent with migratory bird hunting regulations outlined in the federal Migratory Birds Regulations. This would include use of shotguns that are not larger than 10 gauge, that cannot hold more than three shells and use non-toxic shot as described in the migratory bird regulations. 

6) Allow hunting from a stationary motorboat. 

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act currently prohibits anyone who kills game wildlife (including game birds), or who possesses game wildlife killed by hunting, from allowing that meat to spoil. Via this posting, the Ministry is also consulting on a proposal to amend the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to add provisions so hunters could allow cormorant to spoil. This proposal would add provisions to the Act, so that persons who lawfully hunt (or possess) cormorants could be exempt from this requirement and would be subject to conditions that require the person to retrieve and dispose of the carcass. Should this proposal proceed, it may be accompanied by regulations to implement the exemption and requirements. 

To accompany the proposed hunting seasons, the Ministry will implement a cormorant monitoring program to assess population status and trends. Monitoring of cormorants will allow the Ministry to assess the impacts of the hunting season and to adjust cormorant hunting regulations if necessary to address any concerns about population sustainability. 

The Ministry intends to amend the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and supporting regulations (including Ontario Regulation 670/98 Open Seasons, Ontario Regulation 665/98 Hunting) to implement the proposal should it proceed. No additional opportunity for comments will be provided.

Purpose of Policy

We are proposing to list the double-crested cormorant as a game bird, create a hunting season in Ontario for population management and make related changes. This proposal would be implemented through a series of regu...”

“...process. Questions about this collection should be directed to the contact mentioned on the Proposal Notice page.

Other Public Consultation Opportunities

To comment on the proposal, please submit your comments online by clicking the ‘Submit a comment’ button, or by reaching out to the contact(s) listed. The Ministry may notify some groups that otherwise are unlikely to become aware of the proposal.

Contact:

All comments on this proposal must be directed to:

Wildlife Section
PUBLIC INPUT COORDINATOR
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Policy Division
Species Conservation Policy Branch
300 Water Street
Peterborough Ontario
K9J 8M5 
Phone: (705) 755-1940 
Fax: (705) 755-2901

To submit a comment online, click the submit button below:

(opens in new window) 
Additional Information:

The documents linked below are provided for the purposes of enhancing public consultation.
All links will open in a new window

1. Ontario hunting regulation (665/98)
2. Ontario wildlife schedules regulation (6
69/98)
3. Ontario open seasons regulation (670/98)
4. Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation A
ct

...”

The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario is not responsible for any consequences arising from missed Registry notices. Under the Environmental Bill of Rights, the Environmental Registry site at http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ is the authoritative source for public notices about environmental matters being proposed by Ontario government ministries.