MUTE SWANS: BAD (Translation: They can’t be hunted)
TRUMPETER SWANS: GOOD (Translation: They can be hunted)
by Anne Muller
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text]
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
After reading this article by Emma Misiaszek, cnycentral.com/news/local/manlius-battles-decs-mandate-sterilize-swans-or-swap-for-native-species, I was filled with memories of the many flyway meetings I’d attended. I was also filled with disgust, shock, and grave concern that, once again, the Bureau of Wildlife (BOW), a small division that profits from the sale of firearms and ammunition within the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), is attempting to baffle and confuse the public into seeing the mute swan as bad and the trumpeter swan as good. Each of BOW’s self-serving reasons to replace the mutes with trumpeters can be easily countered, and I am happy that Manlius is sticking to its guns and saying, “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.”
In this article, it was reported that the game agency wanted to eliminate mute swans and replace them with trumpeters. When Manlius’ mayor objected, the game agency said the remaining four mute swans would have to be kept from reproducing surgically, or only all males or all females would be allowed to stay in the pond.
The frightening truth is that BOW’s purpose is to eliminate mutes entirely from the NY environment.
Mute swans have lived in our country since the mid-1800s. They bring immense pleasure and peace to their many admirers, which Manlius’ residents can vouch for. Yet, BOW wants mute swans eliminated and replaced with trumpeter swans who will remain aloof, migrate, and can be hunted without causing the same stir.
BOW’S ARGUMENTS
BOW’s arguments are that mute swans are aggressive; uproot submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV); degrade waters; and aren’t native.
While they claim that mute swans are aggressive toward native birds, they fail to mention that aggression only occurs when they are protecting their nests and young, as would be the case with any species. Isn’t it then puzzling to suggest replacing mutes with trumpeter swans whose aggression would have a greater impact as they are larger and heavier than mutes? In fact, trumpeters are the largest waterfowl in the world with wingspans that average 6 feet; there are even reports of trumpeters with 10 foot wingspans. (That’s exactly why hunters like to kill them as trophies.)
In the Manlius article, BOW claims that mutes forage and uproot submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) important for many native fish and wildlife species. Isn’t it then puzzling to suggest replacing mutes with trumpeters, as trumpeters require even more SAV and have longer necks to dig deeper than mutes?
BOW further claims that mutes have potential impacts on native plants and wildlife, they conflict with human interests, degrade waters used for drinking, swimming or shell fishing, and, if that’s not enough, they pose direct threats to human health and safety. One would think that there’s no more dangerous species on the planet than the mute swan. Isn’t it then puzzling to suggest replacing mutes with trumpeters when all of these terrible threats to the environment that BOW claims are caused by the mute swan would apply even more so to the trumpeter swan, the largest aquatic bird in the world?
IN A NUTSHELL
Mutes are seen as a detriment to increasing trumpeter swan populations throughout the state as they occupy the areas where trumpeters could be. In fact BOW’s game managers have actually euthanized mutes in NYS.
Mutes don’t make a good “game” species in that they don’t migrate. They tend to become permanent residents of parks and areas with a human population. They’re anathema to game agents as they attract human fans who keep a watchful eye on them. That’s not what game managers want. To have hunting, the birds need to fly and definitely should not have a fan club that would be shocked and infuriated by seeing them shot.
In BOW’s effort to replace mutes with trumpeters, BOW needs to remove public sympathy. But neither mute swans nor the public will allow that. Wildlife Watch urges Manlius to continue to protect the mute swan and continue to oppose BOW’s outrageous demands. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
UNDERSTANDING THE GOAL OF SWAN MANAGEMENT
BOW’s obsession with ridding Manlius of mute swans and “replacing” them with trumpeters only makes sense when viewed through the lens of “waterfowl management” meaning the management of waterfowl for hunting.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As mentioned above, I have attended five waterfowl management meetings that included swan management. It’s where I first learned that there were, and still are, efforts underway to turn the trumpeter into a game (huntable) species for the benefit of those who are clamoring to kill them.
“Flyway” meetings are held throughout the country to bring waterfowl managers together from various states along a flyway [Zoom may be used now] to haggle over hunting seasons and bag limits (the number of birds a hunter can kill). One special interest group consists of managers who solely focus on trumpeter swan hunting.
CREATING A “GAME” SPECIES
BOW in NY works with other states to bring the trumpeter swan to a point of sufficient population to allow hunting to begin. Currently, nine states have trumpeter swan hunting: Alaska, Nevada, North Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Idaho.
Turning a species into a “game species” (one that can be hunted) can be a decades-long process of removing natural predators, habitat manipulation, and putting laws and regulations into effect that would eventually lead to the conditions required for hunting. Even beavers are used to create and expand wetlands for waterfowl. In keeping with the game managers lack of concern for individual wild animals, once the beavers have done their job, BOW sics trappers on them.
SNAFUS TO BE OVERCOME
IS IT A TUNDRA OR TRUMPETER?
While tundra swan hunting is legal in many states, trumpeter swan hunting isn’t. In order for states to implement hunting seasons on trumpeters, the population has to increase. What do you do when trumpeters and tundra swans fly together and look similar?
The US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) decided to “educate swan hunters” about how to recognize the difference so they could avoid hunting trumpeters in states where it’s still illegal.
Instead of protecting both species from hunters, the FWS ask hunters to notice that the trumpeter has a straight bill, while the tundra swan’s bill is slightly curved. Even if hunters wanted to accommodate the law, it is an impossible task. Even the most diligent hunter would not be able to distinguish the species based on the bill curve while the birds are flying at a distance. This distinction is both laughable and shocking, but speaks to the basic indifference to even their “conservation” goals.
If a state wants to allow the hunting of trumpeters, the species needs to be removed from the state’s threatened species list. While for C.A.S.H. it’s nothing to celebrate, that has just occurred in Ohio. Here’s Governor DeWine’s announcement: The delisting culminates a 28-year effort by the ODNR Division of Wildlife to restore a population of trumpeter swans in Ohio. Please see the link below and understand what it means.
Governor Dewine Announces Trumpeter Swans Removed From Threatened Species List[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
To understand wildlife management’s obsession with hunting to the exclusion of, say, wildlife watching, we have to know that this small government entity is supported by the excise tax on firearms and ammunition, and hunting license sales.
To understand how obsessive and horrific swan hunting is, please see this video. For more information, see our former articles here:
You can also search on our website for “mute swans.” abolishsporthunting.org
DEMONIZING MUTE SWANS WORKS
To demonize mute swans, game agencies often work with local government and homeowner associations as you will see in this video that was provided to Karen Stamper who works to protect mute swans in Michigan.
Karen Stamper wrote on May 6, 2024:
The Lake Doster Home Owner Association (HOA) in Gun Plain Township MI, had a pair of docile mute swans shot and killed on their lake, and no rules were followed regarding permitting or notifying the residents on the lake. A few people filed police reports, but are afraid to speak up because they are
afraid of the HOA bullies and losing privileges on the lake.
The HOA did not notify any members that this was going to happen and that there would be people shooting swans on the lake while people were on it, or on their docks, etc. The kids were also home from school that day. 2 people were having their morning coffee and watching the birds like they do every morning and had witnessed the shootings. The first swan was run over by the boat and then shot 2 or 3 times. Unfortunately, you cannot see the man on his dock right in the direction of where the shooters were shooting the swans.
Karen has shared many photos of mutes who’ve been run down by wreckcreational boaters, hit with firecrackers, and shot. That, in addition to the deliberate killing of mutes by game agents!
Karen often does FOIA requests to expose the swan abuse that she witnesses every day. She wrote:
I have a few FOIAs out there. They wanted over $1000 for one, because I asked them how many mute swans were removed in 2022 & 2023 for human-swan conflicts and wanted to know if those reports were investigated before the swans were removed. I also wanted to know how they were disposed of and I also wanted the current Mute Swan count. They told me it would take a lot of man hours to locate the information.
I tell you, for a government agency trying to eradicate an entire species of swan, you would think they would have all this info at their fingertips.
You can reach Karen here if you would like to help or report mute swan killing or abuse. karenstamper2022@gmail.com