Mute Swans In Michigan - Destructive Alien Species

Michigan does seem a bit weird, when it comes to some birds. They are protected here...but hunted in southern states. I don't really follow much about birds (I pretty much only hunt deer anymore). I do know doves, swans, and cranes are hunted elsewhere, while they are protected here. Not sure what flavor of swans call my lake home...but I do know, they are total arseholes.

 

We have them out here too. Fish and Wildlife admits they are an invasive species but will not allow hunters to shoot them because they are swans. Other non native “invasive” species they have done their best to destroy but certain species like Mute swans, horses and burros they protect.

 

Minnesota protects them too, simply because co's cant tell them apart from trumpeters but if I see one its dead

 

I see your point byrdman and I understand where you're coming from. However, I believe they are an important part of the ecosystem. I believe they would look quite good taxidermied using the Frost technique. Have you heard of it? It's a very successful technique that leaves animals fully preserved with little effort on your part.

 

They use to be listed under unprotected, when the hell did that change?

 

It changed when that darn Republican Brian Johnson messed around with the laws of the land. He has no idea what they do to us taxidermists and the land on which we acquire our animals.

 

Let's not get political, please.

 

I'm sorry

 

I'm sorry. I oughtn't impose upon you my political beliefs

 

I've just been annoyed at the direction our country is moving and my inability to guide or shape my future. Just like we aren't able to decide the protection status of the mute swan. I feel unable to protect the future I want for myself. All I want is to be able to work on my craft and improve upon my skills.

 

Go gettem. You can always improve .

 

Joe,
First I’d like to say that was quite well written.

I also do understand your point about mute swans being slightly harmful to the environment.

However, after doing a little research of my own I found that, in fact, these geese have lived since they were imported from Europe in the mid 1800s to early 1900s.

Thus I’m of the thinking that because there hasn’t been significant detrimental impact on the environment.

While there have been incidents of actions affecting the animal and plant populations of I don’t believe they are yet at the danger level of needing to be hunted.

I believe that humans don’t deserve to be judge, jury and executioner of an animal species. Things like this happen all the time and naturally the world eventually brings it self back to order.

 

I did a bit of digging, out of curiosity. What I found was a bit dated(2012), but apparently people can get permits to kill these swans, and/or destroy nests and eggs. What, if anything has changed since that article...I dunno, and I don't have a whole lot of cares about it. It did say they planned on ridding us of about 85-90% of them...but I see more and more on my lake over the years.

 

I do agree that they may be a growing problem in some communities but that’s doesn’t always mean mass genocide is the answer.

Know, Fermis, that I’m not saying that’s what you think, but there are people who do.

 

Wipe em out. They do not enhance the ecosystem in any conceivable way, in fact their aggression displaces native waterfowl, so that is enough reason to take em out. I prefer that we don't wait to see if this released pet becomes a more serious problem. How's that working in the everglades with non-native reptiles or more widespread issues such as carp of all varieties and snake heads?

 

3bears,
Not to offend you, but bullish attitudes like this are what ruin whole ecosystems

People who believe that they alone have the power to play God and determine what is good for an ecosystem.

As I said earlier I’m of the belief that that initially seemingly detrimental additions we’ll be fixed by nature in one way or another.

 

Well then again wiping out an entire species is quite difficult. Take the tumbleweeds that run rampant here and in the rest of the plains. We've been trying for quite a long time and still no luck. But if they are invasive, definitely kill them. I wish I could help.

With a little bit of an edit, Yourmom. Here is the problem with your logic. They are invasive, and do not contribute positively to the ecosystem. Killing them off would not destroy the ecosystem, but benefit it

 

I don't get offended that easy, and I don't believe for even a second to be God or anything close to it, but I do thank God for giving a brain and the ability to use it. Those dimwits that released those birds into and ecosystem made that decision and it is our job to right that wrong not to wait and see. What cost will be paid for the wait and see attitude?
"Bullish attitudes" are what is needed to use logic and science to protect our natural world and not emotions, but unfortunately all too often the powers that be relent to the feel good know nothing do gooders, ecosystems be damned.