Being an iconic Wisconsin bird species and an amazing conservation success story is not enough to protect Sandhill Cranes.

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance opposes a sandhill crane hunt.
Wisconsin provides critical breeding grounds for these iconic birds, and a hunt poses uncertainties and dangers to this population.

Fall 2021: sandhill crane hunt bill introduced

In October 2021, a package of bills that included a variety of hunting-related proposals was fast-tracked for consideration by the Wisconsin Legislature. The package, and especially the Sandhill Crane hunt bill, was introduced without input from experts, conservation groups, or stakeholders (like you). This brought widespread opposition from the public, conservation groups (including our organization and the International Crane Foundation), and many in the hunting and fishing community. Numerous Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (then Madison Audubon) members answered the call to contact their legislators and join us to testify at the Senate hearing. Despite overwhelming opposition, the Senate committee voted to move the crane hunt bill forward for consideration by the Wisconsin Senate or State Assembly.

Spring 2022: Sandhill Crane Hunt Bill Does not pass

The two companion bills (SB-620 and AB-667) proposing a crane hunt were considered by legislature, but neither passed in March 2022 (read more in the Wisconsin State Journal).

Spring 2024: sandhill crane hunt is unpopular among wisconsinites

The International Crane Foundation (ICF) published the results of a statewide study from 2023 conducted in close collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. The response clearly shows that most Wisconsinites are not in favor of a Sandhill Crane hunt—and ever fewer (less than 5% of respondents) were very likely to participate in one.

SUmmer and fall 2024: Legislative study Committee On sandHill Cranes held

Despite this, the Legislative Council announced the formation of a 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 committee’s purpose was to focus on the agricultural impact of cranes in our state, with part of the stated scope to “consider whether the Department of Natural Resources should seek federal approval to establish a hunting season for sandhill cranes.” Once again, bird conservation organizations were not included in the initial discussions or planning of the committee and its objectives—research has shown that a Sandhill Crane hunt is not an effective way to prevent crop depredation.

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance was invited and proactively applied to join the committee, and though we were not selected, were glad that our partners at ICF and Wisconsin’s Green Fire were (read more in our July 1 blog post). Our team continued to closely follow the issue, and were disappointed when the first few meetings spent almost no time on the complex issue of crop damage, instead focusing on the feasibility of a hunt (read more in our September 25 blog post).

We hoped that the result of the committee would be a draft bill centered around proven solutions to crop damage that will support farmers without including a Sandhill Crane hunting season, which is not a solution for crop damage. The committee voted 8-4 to recommend introducing combined legislation rather than separate bills on reimbursement for farmers and a Sandhill Crane hunt. We were disappointed about the outcome, as were other bird conservation organizations (read more in this statement from ICF). After the vote, the bill was moved forward to the Joint Legislative Council (JLC).

Where we are now, and what’s next

Right now (as of February 6, 2025), the draft is under review of the JLC. Next, the bill (with edits) will be prepared for possible introduction to the assembly before being referred to the appropriate committee.

In early February 2025, the Governor’s office announced proposed budget investments to support farmers AND Sandhill Cranes in Wisconsin. The proposal includes cost-share funding for treating corn seeds, a method that has been proven to discourage cranes from damaging crops in the spring. The proposed budget allocates “more than $3.7 million to reimburse corn farmers up to 50 percent of the total cost of purchasing seed treatment that discourages fowl, especially Sandhill Cranes, from eating their seed.”

We strongly support the Governor’s plan, as it offers a real solution for Wisconsin farmers. A crane hunt has not been shown to be a viable, affordable, or palatable option in Wisconsin. 

Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance is remaining in communication with our partners and with the broader alliance of bird conservation organizations throughout the state on this important issue. Stay tuned for more information on how we can continue to work together and advocate for Sandhill Cranes in Wisconsin.

Update (February 2025): We are closely following what happens to the bill after review by the Joint Legislative Council. to stay in the loop, sign up for our email list to receive action alerts.

This proposed funding budget increase for seed treatment is a great step in the right direction for Sandhill Crane conservation, but it needs your voice and support.

Wherever you may live in the state, if cranes are important to you, please consider contacting your legislators to tell them why, and ask them to vote against a Sandhill Crane hunt. We recommend touching on each of these points, using your own experiences and words:

• That you want them to vote in favor of the seed treatment section of the budget.

• That you want them to vote against a Sandhill Crane hunt.

• Why Sandhill Cranes matter to you, and/or a strong memory of experiencing something incredible relating to Sandhill Cranes.

• What it would mean to you if Sandhill Crane populations declined.

• If you are a hunter and/or angler and/or farmer, please describe this.

“Don’t stuff sandhill crane hunt down throat of Wisconsin. It will only divide us,” by Tim Eisele, Dave Clausen, and Mark Martin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; January 12, 2025

“Sandhill crane study committee supports one draft bill, opposes another and doesn't vote on third,” by Paul Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; December 11, 2024

“Study committee considers draft legislation to hunt sandhill cranes, aid corn growers,” by Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio; November 13, 2024

“As sandhill cranes ruin crops, Wisconsin weighs chemicals and hunting,” by Andrew Bahl, The Cap Times; September 18, 2024

“Wisconsin Legislature studies sandhill crane management, potential hunt,” by Liam Beran, Isthmus; August 5, 2024

“2024 Legislative Council Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes,” by the Legislative Council; June 28, 2024

“Very few Wisconsinites support a Sandhill Crane hunt according to a statewide survey,” by International Crane Foundation; March 12, 2024

“Good riddance to Sandhill Crane hunting season—at least for now,” by editorial board, Wisconsin State Journal; March 25, 2022

“Sandhill Crane hunt: a threat that doesn’t resolve crop depredation,” by Rich Beilfuss, International Crane Foundation, and eight Wisconsin Audubon chapters, WiscNews; February 19, 2022

“Still a ‘No’ for Sandhill Crane hunt,” by Topf Wells, Madison Audubon; November 5, 2021

“Bay Area Birds: Say ‘no’ to sandhill crane season,” by Charlie Frisk, Green Bay Press Times; November 2, 2021

“Sandhill Crane hunting in Wisconsin,” by Stanley Temple, Aldo Leopold Foundation and UW–Madison; October 28, 2021

“Sandhill Cranes, crop depredation, and hunting in Wisconsin,” by International Crane Foundation; October 26, 2021

“One conservation group’s take on Wisconsin’s proposed sandhill crane hunt,” by Susan Bence, WUWM 89.7 FM; October 26, 2021

“Sandhill Crane Hunt (updated),” by Wisconsin Society for Ornithology; October 25, 2021

“Proposed sandhill crane hunting season brings mixed reaction in Northeast Wisconsin,” by Eric Peterson, FOX 11 News; October 25, 2021

“Wisconsin conservation groups say they were left out of talks on sandhill crane season, other hunting bills,” by Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; October 19, 2021

“Sandhill Crane hunting: View from a hunter,” by Topf Wells (Madison Audubon board member); October 18, 2021

“Let’s talk about Sandhill Cranes,” by Madison Audubon; October 12, 2021

Local Audubon chapters work to conserve and celebrate birds and habitats. The Wisconsin chapters listed below, collectively representing 45 counties and 6,500+ members across the state, oppose the Sandhill Crane hunt.

Banner photo: Sandhill Cranes by Monica Hall