It is currently illegal to hunt Sandhill Cranes in the State of Wisconsin. This has been a hot topic and an issue of great debate over the last few years. Many are pushing for a reversal on this law, opening a season that allows the harvest of Sandhill Cranes. I personally agree with this and believe that it is time to open the cranes to hunting.
Sandhills were originally closed to hunting around the country because of dwindling numbers due to over harvest. The birds were market hunted along with other species of cranes for their meat as well as their beautiful feathers. In western states that currently allow hunting the birds are known as the “rib eye of the sky”, due to the delightful flavor of their meat. The cranes were over hunted to extremely low numbers in the early 1900’s. With good reason, regulations where put in place to save the species and protect them from extinction.
Today, the birds have made an astonishing come back, thanks to organizations such as the International Crane Foundation based in Baraboo Wisconsin. The ICF has worked hard to restore the population of Sandhill and other cranes throughout the country. According to the ICF the current population of Sandhills is approximately 650,000 birds. With the increased health of the Sandhill population, many states (mostly western) have opened seasons for hunting the birds.
The population of Sandhills has rebounded in Wisconsin as it has in other states, yet we cannot harvest them. There is no longer a solid argument as to why individuals should not be able to harvest Sandhills in Wisconsin. We finally have a healthy population, possibly overpopulated in certain areas of the state, but still we drag our feet on the issue. I can appreciate that many people enjoy the aesthetic value of the birds and enjoy viewing them, and a hunting season for the birds would not intrude on those viewing opportunities. Many hunters and landowners would like to harvest the birds simply because they are annoying. I hear this all the time, and it is not a legitimate reason for hunting cranes, but there are some good ones.
Sandhill cranes cause significant damage to crops such as corn and other grains, creating an economic loss for farmers. The birds main source of food is grains, which leads them to farm fields for an easy meal. While it is possible that the population will level off naturally, we currently have no method of controlling the increasing population of Sandhill cranes in Wisconsin. As with other animals, hunters are one of the most effective methods of population control. Hunting of Sandhill Cranes could also bring in more revenue for the DNR and other conservation agencies that work to manage the cranes and other wildlife. The sale of a permit for Sandhill hunting would provide funding to further protect Crane habitat and conservation. Hunting Sandhill cranes is also fun. It is another type of hunting that provides new recreation opportunities. Finally, let’s not forget that they taste great. I have not personally tried Sandhill Crane, but it had to get it’s nickname somehow (“rib eye of the sky”).
Now I am definitely not advocating an all out war on the cranes as some may suggest, even though they are very loud, obnoxious and can cause significant damage to crop fields. But I do think that it is time to introduce a well managed hunting season for Sandhill Cranes. Even the ICF which is one of the main organizations that made the population of cranes what it is today, is not against the hunting of cranes. So why are Sandhills still closed to hunting in Wisconsin?
Much of this information was obtained through “Should Wisconsin allow a hunting season for sandhill cranes?” by: Scott Stankowski.
2 comments:
Allowing cranes to be hunted would jeopardize my future experiences. What if I was to see a crane get killed by a hunter? It could turn a serene and peaceful experience into a bloody massacre that would haunt me permanently. It would destroy my desire to enjoy birdwatching and replace it with fear.
The fact that cranes could possibly be destroying crops is not a valid enough reason to hunt them. There are other methods to controlling crop damage other than allowing hunting. Humans are always going to consider wildlife a nuisance on their activities. This has been the justification for hunting in the past; one that is often led to species becoming threatened or endangered.
In addition, I feel like deciding to open a hunting season for cranes is a rash decision at the moment. There is a lot of controversy surrounding this issue. According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission, many individuals are vehemently opposed to hunting sandhill cranes because their population estimates may not be that accurate. Even more of concern to their decision-making was hat endangered whooping cranes can easily be mistaken for sandhill cranes. Endangered and protected species and sub-species can fly with other flocks. I do not believe that every hunter would avoid shooting a flock if they noticed a protected crane. In areas that allow sandhill cranes to be hunted, hunters are told that they will likely see whooping cranes. Is every hunter precise enough with their target to ensure that they do not kill an endangered species? The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission decided against allowing a sandhill crane hunt because of these reasons. Wisconsin would be wise to do the same. Whooping cranes are severely endangered and cannot stand a loss.
In Wisconsin cranes have been brought back from the brink of disappearance and they are a symbol of pride for this state. We are fortunate to be able to enjoy their prehistoric grace. I doubt that many individuals who oppose hunting would describe cranes as loud and obnoxious. They are majestic birds with a beautiful song.
Brasher, Bryan “Decision on sandhill crane hunt delayed for two years.” The Commercial Appeal. Memphis Commercial Appeal, 23 Jan. 2011. Web. 16 Nov. 2011.
I consider myself a hunter of sorts, and I believe that the controlled and monitored hunting of these cranes would be an obvious answer to controll the flock. I have never had this "rib-eye- of the sky," but I do enjoy the taste of game birds.
I think the arguement was clear and logical as to the reasons behind a controlled harvest of these birds. Crop damage and species over-population are the strong points, and people that understand bird populations will agree with these main points. However, when making this argument, I would leave out the fact that this bird is annoying (however true it may be). My main question for you is how would you suggest we go about opening a season? Should the WDNR put a lotery system on the hunt? Should there be a system like our current turkey hunting rules and regulations?
-Korey
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