By Blake Jackson
Wisconsin’s legislative study committee recently discussed five proposals aiming to address the state’s growing sandhill crane population, including a proposal to allow hunting the birds.
The committee, composed of lawmakers, farmers, and conservationists, debated whether hunting would manage crane numbers and mitigate crop damage caused by the species, which rebounded from near extinction in the 1800s to more than 110,000 in recent counts. These large populations have resulted in significant crop losses, particularly for corn and potato growers, totaling nearly $2 million last year.
A bill to permit a crane hunt would need approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), as federal law restricts hunting migratory birds. If authorized, state permits would allow limited hunting, with residents paying $20 per season and nonresidents $100.
Conservationists, including Anne Lacy of the International Crane Foundation, urged caution, citing the need for an updated management plan, as the current one—established in 2010—might not reflect the current environmental and population conditions. Meleesa Johnson from Wisconsin’s Green Fire echoed concerns, arguing the state should update the plan before permitting hunting.
Some committee members, such as Rep. Paul Tittl, believe federal approval ensures population safety, while Todd Schaller of the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association suggested Wisconsin’s hunt wouldn’t harm the crane population. Other committee discussions included setting up reimbursement accounts for farmers affected by crane damage, estimated to cost up to $45 million to protect crops using Avipel, a crane deterrent seed treatment.
Bruce Ross, Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s executive director, introduced documents on the crane population to inform committee members, though some conservationists argued these documents weren’t unbiased findings. In response, committee members made changes to the documents to reflect broader perspectives.
A 2021 survey by the University of Wisconsin-Madison found only 17% of Wisconsinites support a hunting season for sandhill cranes, adding complexity to the proposal’s public support. The committee will reconvene on December 10 to vote on the final legislation package, balancing the interests of farmers, conservationists, and state agencies.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dszc
Categories: Wisconsin, Crops, Corn