The Canadian Wildlife Service is proposing the reintroduction of sandhill cranes to the menu in northern Ontario, with a potential hunting season starting this fall. This move would mark the first legal hunting opportunity for the species in Ontario, following requests from hunters and farmers concerned about crop damage by increasing crane populations.
Christopher Sharp, a population management biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service, mentioned that the proposal comes after years of engagement with the agricultural and hunting communities. Data collection efforts by Environment and Climate Change Canada in Ontario and Quebec provided insights into crane behavior, migration patterns, and conflicts with farmers, leading to the evaluation supporting the proposed hunting season.
Sandhill cranes in Canada consist of two main populations, with the eastern population in Ontario and Quebec witnessing a significant increase in numbers over the past few decades. The species, once at risk of extinction due to historical factors like unregulated hunting and wetland destruction, has rebounded, now thriving in agricultural landscapes.
To address the conflicts with farmers, the proposed hunting season would be limited to specific areas in northern Ontario where cranes are abundant during fall migration. The season would last two weeks, allowing hunters to harvest one crane per day in designated areas. Hunters would need both a provincial small game license and a federal migratory bird hunting permit to participate.
Public feedback on the proposed hunting season is open until February 12. Interest in hunting sandhill cranes is anticipated to be moderate, with the meat being dubbed the “ribeye of the sky” by some hunters for its quality and taste. Sharp emphasized the importance of a cautious approach to ensure sustainability and conservation efforts.