The federal government is considering allowing sandhill cranes to be hunted in northern Ontario, potentially starting this fall. The Canadian Wildlife Service is proposing a controlled hunting season to manage the growing crane populations that are causing crop damage, a first for Ontario. This proposal comes after years of advocacy from hunters and farmers.
Christopher Sharp, a population management biologist at the Canadian Wildlife Service, mentioned that they have been approached by the agricultural and hunting communities since 2003. Environmental data collection in Ontario and Quebec has provided insights into the crane population dynamics and their interactions with farmers, leading to the evaluation supporting the proposed hunting season.
The eastern population of sandhill cranes in Ontario and Quebec has seen a significant increase in numbers over the past few decades, now reaching levels capable of sustaining a controlled harvest. This success story contrasts with their near-extinction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to unregulated hunting and habitat destruction.
The proposed hunt would be limited to specific regions in northern Ontario where cranes are abundant during fall migration. It would last for two weeks, with hunters allowed to harvest one crane per day in designated areas. Hunters would need relevant provincial and federal permits to participate.
Interest in hunting sandhill cranes is expected to be moderate, with the meat being dubbed the “ribeye of the sky” by some hunters for its quality. Sandhill crane meat is described as tender and delicious, similar to grass-fed steak. The proposed hunting season is open for public feedback until February 12.
