Sandhill cranes will be legally hunted for the first time in specific regions of Quebec and northern Ontario. In Quebec, the hunting season will span 14 days, running from September 12 to September 25, and will be limited to farmland in Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. These regions were selected following a prolonged evaluation by the Canadian Wildlife Service for Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) due to concerns raised by agricultural unions about the birds damaging crops.
After nearly a decade of research on the species’ growth, the Canadian Wildlife Service determined that a controlled harvest of sandhill cranes could be sustainable in both provinces. The population of these birds has grown significantly from around 30,000 to over 100,000 in the past two decades. Despite facing extinction a century ago due to unsustainable hunting practices, the sandhill crane population is now thriving.
Hunters with specific permits will be allowed to harvest one sandhill crane per day, with strict regulations in place to ensure responsible hunting. To prevent mistaken identity during hunting, the ECCC has developed educational materials to help distinguish sandhill cranes from other bird species.
The aim of the hunting season is not to significantly reduce crane numbers to prevent agricultural damage but to offer recreational opportunities for hunters. Farmers, although optimistic, have faced challenges with sandhill cranes damaging their fields, leading to the issuance of Damage and Danger permits outside of the hunting season to manage disruptions caused by the birds.
While the hunt is currently limited to two regions in Quebec, there is a possibility of expansion in the future based on the evaluation of the season’s sustainability. The Canadian Wildlife Service will assess the impact of the hunt after four years, with potential considerations for expansion to other regions if deemed viable.