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Today's Poll: Should it be legal to hunt swans for food?

By Howard B. Owens
C. M. Barons

Most of the migratory swans in the Great Lakes Region concentrate at the western lakes: Superior and Michigan. Previous hunting of Trumpeter Swans nearly decimated the population; estimates of Trumpeter Swan number, about 650. Most of the swans currently migrating between the sub-Arctic and Great Lakes Region are Whistler Swans.

The swans in WNY are primarily domesticated or formerly-domesticated. The species often seen in the Ontario region, Hudson Valley and Long Island are Mute Swans. Mute Swans are an invasive species indigenous to Europe- brought here in the 1800s. Mute Swans were domesticated, intended as pets to adorn ornamental ponds. Many have entered into the wild; their population in New York ranges to about 2000. Their size demands consumption of considerable vegetation, and they often uproot entire plants, making them a nuisance.

May 13, 2014, 2:32pm Permalink
Kyle Slocum

Management of animal populations by humans is required when humans have become the alpha predator in an environment (For example: The entirety of NYS). Modern hunting regulation is a productive and preferable management technique to overpopulation and the consequences that result from it.

When people refuse to separate their sentimentality from their reason they make poor decisions. Bobcats are beautiful creatures, right up until they snatch fluffy or junior for lunch. Raccoons are too, right up until their sudden overpopulation leads to a rabies epidemic which spreads to other species.

We have a choice, manage our wildlife or let mother nature do it. Something tells me that the opponents of regulated hunting will not be happy with mother nature's answers to these problems.

May 13, 2014, 8:13pm Permalink
Steve Hackett

"Hey hun!....whats for dinner tonight?"....."I was thinking swan and potatoes....green beans sound good for a veggy steve?".....As long as you barbaque the swan dear , that sounds great!"....ugh!

May 13, 2014, 9:30pm Permalink
Scott Ogle

"We have a choice, manage our wildlife or let mother nature do it. Something tells me that the opponents of regulated hunting will not be happy with mother nature's answers to these problems."

Excellent small essay, Kyle. One that (somewhat) sentimental non-hunters like myself must understand and remember.

May 14, 2014, 11:16am Permalink

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