Sandhill crane calling at Navarino State Wildlife Area in Shawano County, April 4, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
DODGE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — They’re being called one of the best conservation success stories in the state.
Experts say Wisconsin sandhill cranes were hunted to the brink of extinction, but now, their population has soared to around 100,000.
State leaders and others are meeting to address the situation.
Inside the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center, the very first Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes session comes to order. Republican State Representative Paul Tittl from Manitowoc is the chair.
“Sandhill cranes have made a remarkable comeback here in Wisconsin. And we just want to know what we can do and how we can best control the population. And help the farmers out. And to basically look at all angles. We have a very diverse committee,” said State Rep. Paul Tittl, R-Manitowoc.
Tittl says one issue involves crop damage. He says in the spring, sandhill cranes can pick freshly-planted corn causing damage to fields. According to the committee report, there were about 200 complaints in the state last year, with self-reporting damages of about $1.8 million.
“Our biggest concern in Wisconsin right now is solving the problem of crop depredation. Making sure we come up with some sustainable ways to help farmers that experience damage on crops from cranes,” said Rich Bielfuss, International Crane Foundation president and CEO.
Bielfuss says seeds, treated with a non-toxic solution, leave cranes with a bad taste in their mouths. He says there are more birds on the landscape, but he’s not ready to endorse a hunting season.
“Yes, the population in Wisconsin is such that you could have a sustainable hunt of the birds. We know, but it isn’t so much can we, but should we. And is it what we really want here in the state here?” he asked.
“I had proposed a season, but even if we did propose a season, it would take at least two years. U.S. Fish & Wildlife has to approve it. After that, then they would set up some parameters with our DNR,” said Tittl.
Legislative officials say more committee meetings are planned in the near future.
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