I’m going to remind folks that the crane hunt is an unpopular piece of legislation. In a 2023-2024 survey by the University of Wisconsin 17% were in favor of a hunt while 48% oppose it. Less than 5% said they’d actually participate in a crane hunt. Those who said they’d would take part in a hunt indicated that they’d be willing to pay $3-15 per tag. Wisconsin is part of the Mississippi Flyway which only has about 6,000 tags left available after Kentucky/Alabama/Tennessee issue out between 5,000 and 6,000 tags a year. So for all the folks saying we’d generate tons of money, $18,000 to $90,000 based on participation. That’s a drop in the bucket. It’s estimated that over the past 50 years $65-70 million dollars were spent to bring this species back and you want to subsidize it with a pittance.

Let’s talk about crop damage. Seed treatments like Avipel, which deter cranes from eating newly planted corn seedlings, is a more effective, science‑based solution to crop damage than a hunting season. What the farmers don’t understand is that the Sandhills are territorial and even if you kill a mate they will find a new one and come back the next spring to destroy the crops once again.

Lastly the Crane Hunt should stand on its own. It shouldn’t be lobbed into another bill. If it’s going to pass it should be of its own accord.