Service Special Agent Timothy Santel reported that three trumpeters have been illegally killed in Illinois during this hunting season. "We want hunters to be aware that trumpeter swans out there and that they are a protected species," Santel said. "Were asking hunters to take an extra moment to look at their target and make sure they are not shooting at a swan."
The trumpeter is one of three species of swans which may be found in Illinois, and all three are protected by state law. Others include the tundra swan and the non-migratory mute swan. Both the trumpeter and the tundra swan are also protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Trumpeter swans are considerably larger than other sport-hunted waterfowl species, weighing up to 38 pounds and measuring 5 feet in length. The trumpeters plumage is snowy white and the wingspan can reach 8 feet. By comparison, the largest Canada geese weigh up to 12 pounds.
Trumpeter swans are slowly making a comeback from low populations. In some states, such as Wisconsin, efforts are underway to reintroduce trumpeter swans to bolster their populations. They are often found wintering in Illinois, and it is during winter migrations that trumpeters are sometimes mistakenly shot during waterfowl seasons.
Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, trumpeters are protected and are not considered a game species. Even accidental shootings are misdemeanor violations of the Act and carry maximum penalties of $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, up to six months in prison, and possible loss of hunting privileges. In 1995, three Decatur, Illinois, men were fined a total of nearly $4,000 and had hunting privileges suspended for shooting three young trumpeter swans that were part of Wisconsins recovery effort.
For more information or to report a possible wildlife law violation, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 217-793-9554 or the Target Illinois Poacher (TIP) hotline at 800-252 0163.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
