By Chad Love

Sandhill cranes are big, beautiful, abundant, delicious and widely hunted - just not in the southeastern states. But now the state of Tennessee wants to change that. Predictably, it's upsetting some people.

From this story Tennessean.com:
A once minuscule group of sandhill cranes that migrates through the Southeast has succeeded in rebounding to a healthy population, but it could spell trouble for the big bird in Tennessee. The state wildlife agency has a plan that, if approved, would allow hunting of the species as early as next year. The change would make Tennessee the only Southeastern state with a season on sandhill cranes. Birders are questioning the wisdom, however, of letting hunters shoot at the red-capped, grey-blue cranes, which are the focus of the state's largest wildlife viewing event.

People flock from around the region to see them congregated in winter by the thousands and sometimes tens of thousands at the Hiwassee Refuge northeast of Chattanooga. "There is no reason to hunt that bird ˜ a 4-foot-tall bird like that," longtime birder Michael Bierly said. "They say it's going to be limited hunting, but limited for how long?" The leadership of the Tennessee Ornithological Society is more circumspect. "Our big concern is the precedent of taking a non-game species and making it a game species," said Dick Preston, group president. The nonprofit Tennessee Wildlife Federation, which asked for the change, doesn't see a problem. "There are several people who would like to be able to hunt them on a limited basis in the state," said Mike Butler, CEO of the conservation, hunting and fishing advocacy group. "Regulated hunting has never been responsible for the decline of a species in the United States. By definition, it's regulated."

Tennessee's situation with sandhill cranes is different from that of most states because of the numbers of the birds that gather in one place within its borders. The state estimates that 48,000 stopped to rest or stay over last winter in the refuge on Chickamauga Lake, where the Hiwassee River joins the Tennessee River.

Your thoughts? Do you think the numbers and relatively small number of crane hunters (compared to other waterfowlers) justify giving the sandhill crane gamebird status, or should it be left alone?

Comments (13)

from buckhunter wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

I have said this before. There is no greater compliment to a game management plan than a planned hunting season where there was once none. It means the numbers has increase to a self sustaining amount and can then be used to produce revenue and recreation for the state.

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from jamesti wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

this bird is the same as any animal. the population has rebounded and needs to be controlled. it is good for the flock just as it is for anyone else. i'm telling you, one case of bird flu in an overly populated flock would be a disaster and game and fish will get the brunt of the blame! it would not be pretty.

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from Walt Smith wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

Heck I live in Michigan and hearing everybody swear how tasty they are I might have to find one that died of unnatural causes!

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from shane wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

Bald Eagles have also recovered very well in most places. Let's have a hunting season for them too.

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from jamesti wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

the bald eagle is our national symbol by the way.

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from Sayfu wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

There's a very popular sandhill crane season here in SE Idaho. They take a heavy load, big bird, and are good eating. My friend just bought a tag, and will hunt them for the first time this season. I see them near the North Fork of the Snake when flyfishing.

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from Coachcl wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

Good sign that they have recovered. Have a organized controlled hunt. Protect the population.

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from Ed J wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

Uh, Their hunted in North Dakota and have been for years.

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from jamesti wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

i don't suppose i should get my hopes up about a hunt in new york.

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from tkbone wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

What's involved in hunting them? Do you call them in to a blind, use decoys, etc? I can't imagine the initial season is going to be too sporting if they have no experience with being hunted in Tennessee. It may end up resembling the rest of the SEC taking down hapless victims at Neyland Stadium this year!

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from thedraketaker wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

haha i can see it now, i birdwatcher just nonchalantly watchin a sandhill crane and that joker folds and hits the dirt, that would be a funny sight.

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from Sayfu wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

My buddies each got one yesterday. You can decoy, and camo in a field, but they just stationed on a known hi-way. The one guy shot tungsten I know. He spends the money for that stuff, and is really impressed with it on geese.

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from Sayfu wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

Should have said, EACH got one yesterday. The one guy cooked his up, and said it was rather tasteless. The other guy said he would smoke his.

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from buckhunter wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

I have said this before. There is no greater compliment to a game management plan than a planned hunting season where there was once none. It means the numbers has increase to a self sustaining amount and can then be used to produce revenue and recreation for the state.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from jamesti wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

this bird is the same as any animal. the population has rebounded and needs to be controlled. it is good for the flock just as it is for anyone else. i'm telling you, one case of bird flu in an overly populated flock would be a disaster and game and fish will get the brunt of the blame! it would not be pretty.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Walt Smith wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

Heck I live in Michigan and hearing everybody swear how tasty they are I might have to find one that died of unnatural causes!

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from shane wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

Bald Eagles have also recovered very well in most places. Let's have a hunting season for them too.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from jamesti wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

the bald eagle is our national symbol by the way.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Sayfu wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

There's a very popular sandhill crane season here in SE Idaho. They take a heavy load, big bird, and are good eating. My friend just bought a tag, and will hunt them for the first time this season. I see them near the North Fork of the Snake when flyfishing.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Coachcl wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

Good sign that they have recovered. Have a organized controlled hunt. Protect the population.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Ed J wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

Uh, Their hunted in North Dakota and have been for years.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from jamesti wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

i don't suppose i should get my hopes up about a hunt in new york.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from tkbone wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

What's involved in hunting them? Do you call them in to a blind, use decoys, etc? I can't imagine the initial season is going to be too sporting if they have no experience with being hunted in Tennessee. It may end up resembling the rest of the SEC taking down hapless victims at Neyland Stadium this year!

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Sayfu wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

My buddies each got one yesterday. You can decoy, and camo in a field, but they just stationed on a known hi-way. The one guy shot tungsten I know. He spends the money for that stuff, and is really impressed with it on geese.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Sayfu wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

Should have said, EACH got one yesterday. The one guy cooked his up, and said it was rather tasteless. The other guy said he would smoke his.

0 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from thedraketaker wrote 1 year 37 weeks ago

haha i can see it now, i birdwatcher just nonchalantly watchin a sandhill crane and that joker folds and hits the dirt, that would be a funny sight.

-2 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

Post a Comment

 

All submitted comments are subject to the rules set forth in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.