MADISON, Wis. (WRN) — Waterfowl hunters need to double check their targets this season.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters that all wild swans are protected in Wisconsin. Other large white birds like American white pelicans and whooping cranes are also illegal to hunt.
Trumpeter swans are between 4.5 to 5 feet long and have a wingspan over 7 feet, tundra swans are a little smaller but are best distinguished by their high pitch call. Both are white with black bills.
The population of the once-endangered trumpeter swan now exceeds 15,000 since their successful reintroduction by the DNR.