As the temperatures finally begin to drop with the delayed onset of autumn, one thing remains constant since spring: the echoing bugle-like calls of Sandhill Crane pairs throughout Wisconsin. Such calls have inspired many with their regal majesty, from the great Aldo Leopold to a much younger version of myself sitting in my backyard on a brisk fall afternoon. Nonetheless, Sandhill Cranes have long been a hallmark of Wisconsin wildlife and a symbol of conservation success in the state. Despite this, they are not free of long standing political disputes in the state.

A Conservation Success Story

Sandhill Cranes, although now a common sight in the Wisconsin outdoors, have not always seen such success. In fact, these much revered birds were nearly hunted to extinction in the late 19th century. Thankfully, the story of the Sandhill Crane does not end there. The passing of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 prohibited any illegal take of over 1,100 species of migratory birds without a permit, thus protecting the Sandhill Crane. The case of the Sandhill Crane has long been seen as an example of how well-designed and enforced environmental legislation can lead to the direct benefit of species on the brink of extinction. Thanks to this legal protection, Wisconsin Sandhill Crane numbers have rebounded from an estimated 12 mating pairs in 1937, to around 50,000 today. Given this dramatic population recovery, the Sandhill Crane is no longer listed as threatened or endangered in the state of Wisconsin.

The Hunt

Left: Adult Whooping Crane, Right: Adult Sandhill Crane Image Sources: David McGowen & jhayes44 via Canva

With the modern success of the Sandhill Crane, there have been increasing cases of farmer-crane conflicts as crane pairs occupy farm fields in search of corn seeds and open, vegetated habitats. This conflict’s reported economic effect cost Wisconsin farmers over 1 million dollars in crop damages. One proposed idea to limit these conflicts, as well as allow farmers to receive compensation for their damages, is a fall Sandhill Crane hunt. With their legacy as a conservation success, the idea of a Sandhill Crane hunt has created a contentious debate among farmers, legislators, and conservationists. Historically, poorly regulated hunting was the primary reason for the near-extinction of the Sandhill Crane. Outside of lowering crane populations in an attempt to decrease conflicts, a proposed hunt would legally allow farmers to file claims for crane-related damages through the Wildlife Damage Abatement Program.

The Great Debate

There’s just one problem… Very few Wisconsinites support the idea of a crane hunt. According to a study done by the International Crane Foundation in tandem with the University of Wisconsin, only 17.4 percent of Wisconsin residents support the idea of a Sandhill Crane hunt. On top of this, less than 5 percent of the 2,769 surveyed said that they’d participate in the hunt, with barely a third of  those saying they’d be willing to pay anymore than $15 to participate; meaning that funding from hunting permits would most likely not be enough to fully reimburse those who file damage reports. Outside of its minimal support among constituents, there rises the issue of the endangered whooping crane. While adult whooping cranes have a distinct white coloration as adults, juveniles have brownish feathering not unlike that of Sandhill Cranes. This leads to concerns over the potential confusion between the two crane species by ill-informed hunters. The Wisconsin whooping crane population hovers at an estimated 55. Even one accidental killing would be detrimental to the population.

What Now?

Image Source: https://savingcranes.org/2024/09/cranelicenseplate/ Artwork by Jay Jocham

A legislative committee made up of farmers, legislators, and conservationists routinely convenes to discuss the future of crane population management in the state. Their ongoing work aims to accumulate opinions and provide recommendations to the legislature. The most recent legal attempt for a crane hunt, a push by Republican lawmakers in 2021, failed. Organizations like the International Crane Foundation (ICF) are invaluable in research on balancing the needs of farmers while avoiding a hunt. The ICF helped craft a possible future solution that would allow for less agricultural conflicts while conserving the safety of Wisconsin’s cranes–avipel seed treatment. When applied to corn seeds before planting, this non-toxic treatment has been seen to stop cranes from feeding on corn while allowing them to reside in agricultural fields to forage for non-crop food sources.

While the future of Sandhill Crane management in the state is far from certain, there is something you can do to help the future of these iconic birds. With the purchase of a Wisconsin Cranes license plate through the Wisconsin DOT, $25 from each registration goes to the ICF’s efforts in reintroducing the Whooping Crane as well as finding resolutions to crane-related crop damage. While the future of Sandhill Cranes in Wisconsin is very much uncertain and the debate is sure to rage on, it’s best to remember what got us to the point where a debate can even be had and do our best to ensure we don’t repeat the mistakes of our past.

For More

• Check out all the amazing work that the International Crane Foundation is doing to research and conserve cranes all around the world
  • Listen to more on their work:

• Sandhill’s aren’t the only crane in Wisconsin! Check out this previous Nature Net News article on whooping cranes!
• The debate truly does rage on, here’s a Wisconsin Public Radio article on the ongoing debate over a crane hunt in Wisconsin
• Dig into the annual crane migration patterns over Wisconsin with this piece from Wisconsin Life:

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News from Nature Net Members​​

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Aldo Leopold Nature Center	Henry Vilas Zoo	Horicon Marsh
Can’t get enough of birds and other Wisconsin wildlife? Join Naturalist Doug Taylor for a walk from the Aldo Leopold Nature Center into the Edna Taylor Conservation Park for this installment of Bird & Nature Adventures on October 26th .	Looking for fun Halloween plans? Come on down to Henry Vilas Zoo on October 27th for Boo at the Zoo! A sure way to enjoy the spooky season with your family.	In need of something for your child to do before your Halloween festivities? Check out this festive rendition of Little Naturalists: Pumpkin Science at the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center.​

For Families:	For Educators:	Upcoming Events:
Looking for ways to get you and your child outdoors while the weather still permits? Nature Net’s member sites have plenty of activities and events going on for the whole family! Check a couple out and you may just have found your weekend plans!	Want to help your class connect with and learn about the environment? Fill out our Nature Express application for the opportunity to receive up to $300 for your creative ideas. Applications close October 31st, so make sure to get yours in!	Just because it’s getting colder doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the outdoors! Take a look at Nature Net’s Events Calendar for all sorts of fun activities to get you outside and enjoying nature this Fall!

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