The federal government is considering allowing the hunting of sandhill cranes in northern Ontario, potentially starting this autumn. The Canadian Wildlife Service has proposed a limited hunting season to manage sandhill crane populations in specific regions of the north. This marks the first time that hunting the species would be legally permitted in Ontario.
After years of advocacy from hunters and farmers citing crop damage by increasing crane populations, the proposal has been put forward. Christopher Sharp, a population management biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service, mentioned that data collection was conducted to evaluate the situation with sandhill cranes in Ontario and Quebec, including conflict levels with farmers and migration patterns.
Sandhill cranes in Canada consist of two main populations. The eastern population, found in Ontario and Quebec, has grown significantly over the years and now stands at around 100,000 birds. This growth has allowed for the consideration of a controlled harvest. The species faced near-extinction in the past due to unregulated hunting and habitat destruction.
The proposal aims to limit sandhill crane hunting to areas of northern Ontario where the birds are most abundant during fall migration. The hunting season would last for two weeks, with hunters restricted to harvesting one crane per day in selected regions. To participate, hunters would need appropriate licenses.
Interest in hunting sandhill cranes is expected to be moderate but steady, with the meat being referred to as the “ribeye of the sky” by some hunters. The proposed hunting season is open for public feedback until February 12.