Sandhill cranes

[Blacktail135]

 Had 10 sandhill cranes land on my place this evening. Watched them for about 2 hours through the spotter before they left, heading south. Oldest granddaughter wanted to know if we can hunt them. Nope, not those I said. She’s got a new retriever and is chomping at the bit to bird hunt (ducks and geese).

[callturner]

I shot a couple in eastern Montana a few years ago. DONT let your dog go after cripples . I was told the same and did it any how. My male chessie got stuck twice while trying to retrieve it. I finally go him called back so I could swat it.

[Alchase]

Had 10 sandhill cranes land on my place this evening. Watched them for about 2 hours through the spotter before they left, heading south. Oldest granddaughter wanted to know if we can hunt them. Nope, not those I said. She’s got a new retriever and is chomping at the bit to bird hunt (ducks and geese).

The wife and I spent a weekend at Trout Lake Lodge summer of 2014. We took a drive to the Conboy Wildlife Refuge, there was a huge flock of Sandhill Cranes. We were engrossed watching them do their dance where they jump 10-20 feet straight up and flutter down. They are awesome to watch, and we took some amazing video. The nice sized herd of elk we also saw was like icing on the cake.

 

[huntingfool7]

I shot a couple in eastern Montana a few years ago. DONT let your dog go after cripples . I was told the same and did it any how. My male chessie got stuck twice while trying to retrieve it. I finally go him called back so I could swat it.

x2  I had the same issue.  Dog looked like it was trying to retrieve a sword fighter.  I ended up in a head first tackle and choke out to minimize the damage.  They eat good. 

[Pegasus]

I shot a couple in eastern Montana a few years ago. DONT let your dog go after cripples . I was told the same and did it any how. My male chessie got stuck twice while trying to retrieve it. I finally go him called back so I could swat it.

x2  I had the same issue.  Dog looked like it was trying to retrieve a sword fighter.  I ended up in a head first tackle and choke out to minimize the damage.  They eat good.

Do they taste as good as eagles?

[h2ofowlr]

They are the flying ribeye of the sky.  They eat well.  A ton of them winter in SW Washington.  All around Vancouver lake, Ridgefield and Sauvies Island in Oregon.

[huntingfool7]

Do they taste as good as eagles?

Swan is better on the table than crane.  Ridiculous that WA doesn't have a season on either.
Eagle tastes like k'yote.

[Pegasus]

Do they taste as good as eagles?

Swan is better on the table than crane.  Ridiculous that WA doesn't have a season on either.
Eagle tastes like k'yote.

If they don't taste like eagles do they taste like blue herons?

[huntingfool7]

I've never eaten a blue heron as there is no season on them anywhere that I'm aware of.   
There is no shortage of cranes or swans in Washington state and both are interesting game birds and well suited for the table.  There is no legitimate game management reason that we don't have a season on either in Washington.  Comparing them to eagles and cranes is a personal perspective bias that has no basis in wildlife management.

[Karl Blanchard]

I want to try a Sandhill something fierce.  Looks delicious.

[JimmyHoffa]

Do they taste as good as eagles?

Swan is better on the table than crane.  Ridiculous that WA doesn't have a season on either.
Eagle tastes like k'yote.

Bald or golden?  The bald eagles I assume are pretty nasty as they eat some pretty rank stuff.  Goldens are probably much better.
I've heard sandhill tastes kind of like steak.  I know I had it when young, but can't remember. 

[Humptulips]

Can someone explain to me why some states have seasons on Sandhill Cranes and Tundra Swans and some like WA do not. I know Federal Migratory bird but what gets some a season over others?

[Pegasus]

Can someone explain to me why some states have seasons on Sandhill Cranes and Tundra Swans and some like WA do not. I know Federal Migratory bird but what gets some a season over others?

Populations, major flyway routes and reciprocal treaties with Canada and Mexico.

[huntingfool7]

Can someone explain to me why some states have seasons on Sandhill Cranes and Tundra Swans and some like WA do not. I know Federal Migratory bird but what gets some a season over others?

Primarily politics.  In states with tundra swan season, a set number of permits are issued through a lottery system.  Similar to a deer tag here in Washington, a permit allows for one swan.  Sandhill cranes have a set season and a bag limit.

ETA- Washington will have a swan season right after we have a wolf season.  The similarities between the two having seasons are much more similar than eagles and herons as table fare.

[Humptulips]

Hard for me to think it is  population when I see a thousand swans in a field or several thousand cranes lift off from a lake.