Thank you for trying to protect these beautiful birds. Texas wildlife laws consider swans a non-game species, which means there can be no hunting of the birds. Mute swans in Texas (like many states) are considered exotic because there are two factions (one stating that the birds are part of feral flocks perpetrated from captive swans brought to the U.S. and the other faction that believes that the swans migrated from the Bering Strait into Canada, and eventually residing in the U.S.). Both are probably correct to a certain extent, but because of declining public funding, these birds along with cardinals, pelicans, cormorants and others have been discriminately singled out to be killed/controlled by govt. wildlife agencies to receive funding. Makes no sense to us as you remove one species only to be overrun by another and then land up having to kill the over populated new species.

Many "purists" believe that if a species is not from a certain area, they should be killed. However, swans have been in the U.S. since the beginning of time. The Trumperter and Tundra swans are recognized as being native and are federally protected, although some states will allow the hunting of the Tundra swan.

Many feel that the Mute Swans are aggressive and displace other wildlife or destroy aquatic habitat from the Trumpeter or Tundra Swan. This is another accepted practicum that is unbelievable. A Mute Swan weighs 30 lbs. A Trumpeter Swan weighs 40 lbs. If a larger animal wants a habitat, the larger animal is usually going to win the fight. Additionally, if a Mute Swan is going to eat the aquatic vegetation destroying it from the Trumpeter Swan, how does a 30 lb bird eat more than a 40 lb bird? What is going to happen when you eradicate the smaller swans and the larger swans take over. Are we going to start eradicating the Trumpeter Swans from eating themselves out of house and home?

Sorry for the education in state laws, but thought you might like to understand where the originate. Usually, from someone who does not understand the specific species and is biased toward other species.

In any case, Texas wildlife laws regarding swans can be found at (www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/.../pwd_bk_k0700_1014.pdf)

or google Texas Wildlife Laws: Waterfowl Swans.

Additionally, harrassing, teasing, harming of any wildlife is usually a violation of animal cruelty laws. So, you might also reference Animal Cruelty laws in Texas and in your area. Usually, even local ordinances under Animal Control have laws against animal cruelty. Hope this helps. The Regal Swan