By Jennifer Lazewski, WSO Executive Director
WSO spoke for our birds in a presentation before the Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes by Executive Director Jennifer Lazewski on October 1, 2024. To counter the characterization of hunters that opposition is based solely on emotion, WSO provided plenty of facts and figures to show that birders contribute to science, that hunt decisions include social considerations as well as science, and that birders and other wildlife watchers outnumber hunters and spend more on their activities by significant margins.
Birders have a stake in Wisconsin natural resources. Politicians and hunting organizations should be seeking our assistance in cooperative efforts to improve conservation funding and action rather than sowing division with this continued persistence to get a hunt that few actually want. Neither a majority of residents nor a majority of hunters are in favor of hunting Sandhill Cranes (according to the only scientific survey).
Other speakers on October 1 covered Sandhill Crane population dynamics with two different perspectives, the federal hunt approval process, and a hunting organization perspective from the leading proponent of this hunt. The September 4 meeting covered crop damages, wildlife damage payments, and federal permits that allow Sandhill Crane killing to prevent crop damage.
No other speakers are expected as the study committee turns toward producing possible legislation drafts before the end of the year.
You can view WSO's presentation slides here. Other program slides and meeting recordings are available on the study committee webpage.
