Sandhill Crane foraging in wetlands (photo by Arlene Koziol).
Over the summer, we notified our members about the Legislative Council Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes. Legislative Council study committees are created to provide deeper opportunities for the legislature and the public to come together in the same room, with the intention of fairly addressing complex issues in a way not possible during the legislative session. The stated scope of this particular committee is to address the impact of crop damage by cranes:
“The committee shall examine population trends and determine whether any changes to state law would effectively address the incidence and consequences of crop damage caused by sandhill cranes in this state. As part of a comprehensive review of policy options, the committee may consider whether the Department of Natural Resources should seek federal approval to establish a hunting season for sandhill cranes. The committee shall recommend legislation to manage the population of sandhill cranes and address the agricultural impact of sandhill cranes.”
Led by chair Rep. Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc) and vice-chair Sen. Romaine Robert Quinn (R-Cameron), the study committee has met twice so far: once in August and again in September (both of those links allow you to watch the meeting recordings after signing up for a free WisconsinEye account). SoWBA staff and members attended both as public observers.
The first meeting focused on the current status of the eastern population of Sandhill Cranes, which includes those that live in Wisconsin. Despite the committee’s stated charge, the majority of the meeting was spent presenting and discussing the possibility and supposed benefits of a Sandhill Crane hunting season, and almost no time was spent on the issue of crop damage.
The second meeting did include presentations with information about the impact of cranes on crops, status and limitations of the state wildlife damage and abatement program, and information about existing deterrents. The committee also reviewed details about the USFWS depredation permits, which allow farmers to shoot and kill cranes on their land if they are causing damage to crops. In order to obtain these permits, corn farmers must prove they have first used Avipel, a chemical deterrent applied to seed which has been shown to be highly effective in preventing damage from all birds. Farmers would like more support to address the added expense or inconvenience of applying Avipel.
To date, the study committee has not reviewed any information demonstrating that a fall crane hunting season would be effective in reducing crop damage, which primarily occurs in the spring. At both meetings, multiple presenters raised this question. According to the International Crane Foundation, there is no data to suggest that even the spring depredation permits issued by the USFWS are effective in controlling corn crop damage.
We hope the committee will review perspectives and information from experts that are focused on science-based and fiscally-sound solutions for crop damage by cranes, and explore the following:
Law. Legislators could change the state statute to allow Sandhill Cranes to be included in the wildlife damage abatement program without the requirement of a hunting season. They may also need to review if any changes are needed to statutes to allow for additional sources of funding for the wildlife damage abatement program.
Funding models. Per the presentation given by the legislative council staff, there are many questions about the financial feasibility of a crane hunt, which seems unlikely to cover the increased scope and expenses of the wildlife damage abatement program if cranes are to be included. The committee should consider alternative or new funding sources for the wildlife damage abatement program to help farmers.
Access to proven solutions. Avipel is an effective method for reducing corn crop damage by birds and many farmers want to use it. The committee could consider ways to support farmers in using this or other proven deterrents.
Risks and concerns with a hunting season. A crane hunt is not a solution to the problem of crop damage. Yet, any discussion about a hunting season should still rightly include possible risks, which have not been presented to the committee thus far. For example, how could a hunt affect the populations of other species that are visually similar to cranes and could be mistakenly harmed, such as the globally-endangered Whooping Crane or the now-recovering Trumpeter Swan? What about the opinion of Wisconsinites? According to a recent study, the vast majority of Wisconsinites are not in favor of a crane hunt. And how will allowing a hunting season be perceived by the growing number of people in the birding community, and impact the way they spend their tourism dollars in Wisconsin?
The committee is slated to meet next on October 1 at 10AM in the Capitol, Room 412 East. The chair has stated that at the third meeting the committee would be hearing from hunters and a representative of a bird conservation organization (see full agenda here). We once again encourage anyone who is interested or concerned about this issue to attend.
