Mute Swan

[tealitup]

So I was out yesterday and notice some swans coming in. I identified them (after looking them up) as a mute swan. These swans are classified as a non-native invasive species in Minnesota.

Does this classify them as being able to harvest them? or are they protected? I could not find any information about them on the DNR site.

thoughts?

[dan z]

I know you used to bevable to shoot them but, dont know if you still can cut em

[jbell1981]

An interesting question. I thought it was legal, but like you, could not find anything to prove it.

It does say that any bird not specifically listed at unprotected is protected but I don't think that would apply to invasive species.

I sent an email to a couple people at the dnr and will post the responce as soon as I get one.

[tealitup]

Thanks - it would look great as a mount -

had to pass on them because I did not know.

[KG243]

Good luck with that mount! I cant imagine that they would be legal to shoot, but this would'nnt be the first time I was wrong! Good Luck if you can!

[PerchJrkr]

I know it used to say in the book that they were not protected and you could shoot them.

[browndog]

The safest course of action would be to call the local CO and clear it with them. I can just imagine the calls to the tip line when you pull the trigger on a mute swan.

Good luck.

[gundy89]

Even if legal, I don't think I'd roll the dice with that one. You screw that ID up and you're in some big time trouble. Not to mention anyone watching will see a swan go down. To each their own, but be careful.

[jbell1981]

Have you seen a mute swan? It would be very hard to screw that up, unless your blind I guess.

Still waiting to hear from the DNR, it ussually takes a day or 2 to get a response.

[jbell1981]

Mute/Trumpeter/Tundra

Mute

Trumpeter

[Johnny_Da_Der]

Making the ID on a moving swan at 30-40 yds out? Not worth the risk. If I see a swan go down I am on the phone with TIP in about 3 seconds, they can make the ID.

[HeIsLegend]

If it flys it dies.

[browndog]

water swat them

[Swill]

I would pass on it, but not because it is legal or not legal, it just looks cool!

[icehousebob]

If I were sure of the ID, I think I would take them. Many years ago, there was a private release of a handful of them in Chesapeake Bay. They now number in the thousands and are ruining the habitat for the native birds. The Game&Fish out there tried an eradication program and the screaming from the bunny-huggers made them stop it. Its best to solve a small problem before it gets larger-- and gets its own press agent and cheering section.

[Johnny_Da_Der]

If it flys it dies.

[SledNeck]

cut em all, Jack

[brdhunter]

If it flys it dies.

Huh, tell me how its flying after u get tagged? Its bound to happen. Been there, done that. (wasn't a swan, some little bird I never heard of, thought it was a snipe).

Saw someone shoot a swan on opener, he got tagged, and we got checked. No tags here, but I don't think he was too happy

[browndog]

Originally Posted By: HeIsLegend

If it flys it dies.

Originally Posted By: browndog

water swat them

You two are REALLY COOL! And FUNNY! and NOT TROLLS! CONGRATULATIONS!

Yes, I do shoot swans. In ND. and water them there.

[tealitup]

So, if I go to the same place sometime this week should I shoot it?

And yes, the bird WAS for sure a Mute Swan - it was only about 10 feet from me.

[Johnny_Da_Der]

Yes, I do shoot swans. In ND. and water them there.

If you wanna legally take a bird go right ahead. And if you want to water swat them go right ahead too. I don't, but you are free to do what you want in accordance with the law. Just leave the MN swans alone and we are good.

The "if it flies, it dies" or the "shoot and release" mentalities don't help the cause of responsible hunters. They bring a bad name to those of us that ID birds before shooting and harvest what we kill. People that broadcast these immature mentalities, regardless of whether they follow it or not, might as well be collecting a check from PETA or some other anti-hunting group. They sure as [PoorWordUsage] aren't helping my cause and provide ammunition, so to speak, for those against my cause.

[hanson]

So, if I go to the same place sometime this week should I shoot it?

Here's what I would suggest... contact your local CO and tell him there has been a Mute Swan frequenting your waterfowling hole and ask him. I don't care how many people online here tell you that you can or cannot shoot the swan, contact the CO as he will be responding to the complaint of someone shooting a swan.

The Mute Swan is indeed on Minnesota's Invasive Species list. This material is available on the MN DNR HSOforum for your happy reading. I just spent a bit of time researching this and could NOT find anywhere in the waterfowling regs or the invasive species information the right to shoot one of these birds. It does however tell you to contact the Invasive Species office or your local CO if you encounter an invasive species.

I would definitely start with a phone call to the CO however. They may have a procedure in place for dealing with these birds.

I've personally never had to deal with this so I don't know the answer, however I agree with some other folks here about calling TIP if I see anyone shooting ANY kind of swan. I would do my due diligence before pulling the trigger on any big white bird.

[browndog]

Originally Posted By: browndog

Yes, I do shoot swans. In ND. and water them there.

If you wanna legally take a bird go right ahead. And if you want to water swat them go right ahead too. I don't, but you are free to do what you want in accordance with the law. Just leave the MN swans alone and we are good.

The "if it flies, it dies" or the "shoot and release" mentalities don't help the cause of responsible hunters. They bring a bad name to those of us that ID birds before shooting and harvest what we kill. People that broadcast these immature mentalities, regardless of whether they follow it or not, might as well be collecting a check from PETA or some other anti-hunting group. They sure as [PoorWordUsage] aren't helping my cause and provide ammunition, so to speak, for those against my cause.

You are like the guy that told me I couldn't use my Mojo because the lake I was on had a WMA attached to it. And I had to reply that if I can't use my Mojo you can't use your outboard because those are not allowed on WMA's either. Or are you the guy that reported me to the CO because I was not picking up my birds and when the CO met me at the access I said these ducks(four drake mallards, 1 gadwall and 1 spooner). Just because I was not running out after my ducks each and every time I shot one down like you and instead I was sending my dog to get them. Just because someone does something different than you does not make it wrong or illegal.

[Johnny_Da_Der]

Just because someone does something different than you does not make it wrong or illegal.

Find where I said this. Find where I implied this. You can't.

[riverrat56]

You didn't "say" it but the negetive attitude towards other hunting "ethics" that were differnt than yours that conveyed that attitude.