Look what I shot today

I see more of these in the Snoqualmie River valley every year. I THINK they are tundra swans. They seem to know we can't shoot them.

They fly over, well within range, almost every time I am out pheasant hunting.

It looks like the adult's bill has some yellow which makes it a Tundra. Pretty birds, and nice to see the two young one's.

Seen a few times when they were mistaken for Snow Geese. Fortunately, the hunter's shooting ability and game ID were about equal.

Dunno how they taste, but sure would look good on the Thanksgiving table.

I love seeing them. Their in-flight chatter is much less annoying than the Canada Goose.

Pretty good, I think. They are hunted (legally) in some parts of the mid-west, I think. Along with Sandhill Cranes. Eat much the same food as geese.

They are in the Chehalis River valley too.

Yep, they have a Sandhill season in several states. There the locals call them prime rib of the sky . . .

Here is an interesting dialogue regarding to possibility of a future swan season in Washington from the Washington Advisory Group.



http://www.refugeforums.com/refuge/showthread.php?t=904572

One of the difficulties of a swan season soon in WA is the abundance of Trumpeters, which are threatened, I believe. I can tell them apart, on the ground, with good glass, but not as a fly-by.

I love the"creak, creak, creak" as they fly over.