The following is an article appearing in The Tennessee Warbler August, 2008 Page 6. It was prepared by Richard Connors, president of the Tennessee Ornithological Society. Wallace Coffey is forwarding this article so that non-TOS members can be made aware: (the headline to the article is:) TOS Statement on Hunting Sandhill Cranes Earlier this year the Tennessee Wildlife Federation (formerly Tennessee Conservation League), an independent organization representing hunters, requested Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) move to implement hunting of Sandhill Cranes. There had been rumors before, but the public TWRA Commissioners' meeting this winter brought it to light in the press. TWRA is to begin a detailed study of Sandhill Cranes which may take years to complete. Here is excerpt from TOS Conservation Policy Committee co-chair Melinda Welton's research this spring: "What will first be needed is a management plan that TWRA hopes to complete by March 2009. The plan will need to include an intensive monitoring program." and this "could be very expensive. Currently there are no states in either the Atlantic or Mississippi Flyways with SACR hunting seasons. After TWRA completes the management plan they will bring it to both of these flyways for their approval. The plan will then be submitted to the USFWS who will work with the two flyways to make a decision. They expect the process to take 3 to 5 years." One problem is endangered Whooping Crane associating with Sandhill Cranes. No amount of hunter training will assure that no Whooping Cranes would be shot. In the Eastern flyway Whooping Cranes are still being introduced. Problem of feeding: cranes are eating crops, some of which is meant for waterfowl. TWRA has been spending resources feeding and managing cranes. Hiwassee Refuge and Tennessee in general, was originally thought to be stop-over territory only. As you know, many stay through the winter if there is food to eat (if you feed them they will stay). Some crop damage has been documented and a few farmers have gotten permits, which allow them to "remove" up to 25 birds on their property. None have actually been shot by farmers yet, as the "problem" birds moved on before any action could be taken. Hunting and shooting as means of scaring them off, forcing the flock to move on, is the management technique TWRA has come up with. The Sandhill Crane population is increasing, but hunting may not be the answer to population control. One result of all this is that TWRA will no longer sponsor the Crane Days at Hiwassee Refuge and will no longer feed cranes there. It is unfortunate that they are turning their backs on what was previously deemed "watchable wildlife". We recommend TWRA simply stop feeding cranes specifically and see if this takes care of the problem. In our view, Sandhill Crane and Whooping Crane viewing is more valuable than all other considerations combined. Tennessee Ornithological Society does not support hunting of Sandhill Cranes in Tennessee. Below is statement drafted by TOS Conservation Policy Committee and approved by the TOS Board of Directors at the spring 2008 meeting: "The Tennessee Ornithological Society does not at this time endorse a hunting season on Sandhill Cranes. While crop depredation may be a problem, we believe other management techniques to reduce depredation and slow the crane population growth should be fully implemented prior to the opening of crane hunting. These include active efforts to reduce the short-stopping and concentrating of cranes. We also support research on the economic impact of both crop depredation and cranewatching." =================NOTES TO SUBSCRIBER===================== The TN-Bird Net requires you to SIGN YOUR MESSAGE with first and last name, CITY (TOWN) and state abbreviation. 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