[TN-Bird] Excellent article by Richard Simms on Nooga.com re: Sandhill Crane hunt issue
- From: viclcsw@xxxxxxx
- To: tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 7 Jul 2013 23:03:12 -0400 (EDT)
Richard Simms makes some good points in his July 7 article on Nooga.com
http://www.nooga.com/162363/sandhill-crane-hunting-debate-is-back-for-round-two/
Vickie Henderson
Knoxville, TN
Knox County
Article pasted below in case the link fails:
Nooga.com
Sandhill crane hunting debate is back for round two
By Richard Simms
Thousands of sandhill cranes migrate through our area each winter, attracting
thousands of birdwatchers to the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge. Biologists say
populations are high enough to support birdwatching and hunting. (Photo:
Contributed)
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First eastern sandhill crane season begins Dec. 17
If you believe a recent public opinion survey, Tennessee Wildlife Resources
Agency biologists face an uphill battle in implementing a hunting season for
sandhill cranes in Southeast Tennessee.
Sandhill cranes are large, gangly, heron-like birds. Their haunting calls are
frequently overhead as they migrate through the area in the fall and back north
in late winter. Thousands of the birds routinely congregate on TWRA'sHiwassee
Wildlife Refuge in Meigs County. Hundreds or thousands of birdwatchers are
attracted there to view the sandhills throughout the winter, especially during
the special Sandhill Crane Festival held every January.
However, over the years, there have been some complaints from area farmers
about the birds damaging crops, and hunting enthusiasts argue that sandhill
crane populations have grown well beyond the point to support a regulated
hunting season. Hunters say the birds are extremely tasty, referring to them as
"rib-eyes in the sky." At least 13 other states already offer sandhill crane
hunting seasons.
About two years ago, the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission considered a
sandhill crane hunting season. The proposal brought fierce debate, with hunting
proponents on one side and the avid birdwatching community on the other side.
The TFWC wimped out on a vote and "deferred" the proposal for more study.
That study period is over, and TWRA staff biologists have returned to the
commission with the hunting season proposal again. Because sandhills are
migratory birds, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has ultimate control over
hunting seasons. Then, individual states can choose to opt in or not. In
Tennessee, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recommended a potential
60-day sandhill crane season, with 775 permits available (three birds per
permit). The sandhill crane zone would be restricted to the southeastern
portion of the state (south of I-40, east of Highway 56), where the majority of
the birds migrate.
TWRA is soliciting public comment, and the birdwatching community is gathering
en masse, flooding Web pages and email inboxes with information (and in some
cases, disinformation). Meanwhile, as before, the pro-hunting community is
surprisingly silent.
Though not actively lobbying, hunting proponents quickly offer excellent
arguments when asked. Many rightfully point out that the dollars generated by
hunting licenses are largely responsible for the protection and enhancement of
nearly all wildlife populations, including sandhill cranes.
"Why shouldn’t we hunt them? It’s historically how we manage and use wildlife.
When things are considered good table fare, when they’ve traditionally been
hunted and you have a healthy population, we’ve always said we’ll hunt them,"
Mike Butler, executive director of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, said.
Indeed, about the same time Tennessee wildlife regulators wimped out on a
sandhill season, Kentucky wildlife regulators had the guts to move ahead,
passing a sandhill hunting season in spite of the protests. Concerns about a
sandhill slaughter by some in the anti-sandhill hunting community ended up
being unnecessary to our north. Kentucky hunters showed lackluster interest.
During the first season, hunters took only 50 sandhill cranes. Last season,
they took only 92.
Those protesting the Tennessee season now are saying that hunters will be
allowed to kill 2,325 sandhill cranes. Though that is true on paper, as
Kentucky has shown, the real-life result is likely to be only a miniscule
fraction of that number.
However, one overwhelming point the anti-sandhill hunting crowd does have in
its favor is the scientific public opinion survey that was commissioned and
paid for by TWRA. That survey shows that the overwhelming majority of the
general populace is opposed to hunting sandhill cranes. And even among avid
hunters, there is less than a majority in support of a sandhill season.
According to the scientific survey, 84 percent of all Tennesseans approve of
hunting in general. However, a mere 19 percent support hunting sandhill cranes,
while 62 percent are opposed. And even among survey respondents who said they
were avid hunters, only 42 percent supported a sandhill hunt and 35 percent
opposed.
Two years ago (before any scientific surveys), I professed my own opinion
publicly, much to the dismay of my hunting friends.
I am a hunter and a serious supporter of the rights of hunters. But in this
case, I've heard virtually no one in my personal hunting network actively
lobbying to go sandhill crane hunting. My perception is that most are like me,
a few hundred hunters who simply want "the right" to hunt sandhills whether
they will actually do it or not.
On the other hand, I see thousands (maybe tens of thousands) of nonhunters who
have come to love the cranes, and as a result, they have a far greater
appreciation for wildlife in general. And if we all work together rather than
squaring off in our opposite corners, we can accomplish great things in the
future.
Therefore, in this case, as a hunter and a hardcore supporter of the rights of
hunters, I am willing to surrender the sandhill crane battle in hopes the two
sides can ultimately join hands and win the war.
Nothing has happened to change my opinion, except now there is a scientific
survey that proves many other hunters share my opinion.
Do you want to share your opinion?
If so, first please share it with TWRA by sending them an email. Use the
subject line "Sandhill Crane." The formal comment period will be open until
Aug. 10. Comments can also be mailed to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources
Agency, ATTN: Sandhill Crane Hunt, P.O. Box 40747, Nashville, TN 37204.
Then, please share your opinion below. I dare you.
Richard Simms is a contributing writer, focusing on outdoor sports. The
opinions expressed in this column belong solely to the author, not Nooga.com or
its employees.
Accessed: Sunday, July 7th 2013
http://www.nooga.com/162363/sandhill-crane-hunting-debate-is-back-for-round-two
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