Taylor Clark
LJI Reporter
The Ville de Gatineau hopes to reduce the presence of migratory birds and protect crops by allowing hunting on agricultural land.
Council approved a pilot program submitted by Rivière-Blanche district councillor Jean Lessard at its meeting on May 14.
While it wasn’t a city-wide issue, Lessard said the pilot program came as a request from farmers who have faced “significant financial losses” trying to manage the birds.
“(They) want to have the same right as the MRCs … to be able to take up arms to destroy these migratory birds,” said Lessard.
Running from mid-September to December, the program will allow farmers to hunt 10 birds per day on cultivated land. Council would later analyze the results of the short-term measure.
“Elsewhere, it works. That doesn’t mean it will succeed in destroying everything, but it has an impact.”
Photo caption: A pilot program proposed by Rivière-Blanche district councillor Jean Lessard aims to assist farmers in mitigating migratory birds and protecting their crops.
Photo credit: Screenshot from Mêlée de presse du 14 mai 2024 – Caucus préparatoire