Farmers Offer Incentives to Sandhill Crane Hunters

By Jason Beck - Idaho Department of Fish and Game The sandhill crane once appeared headed for the endangered species list, but recovery efforts have proven successful, and the birds are doing well in southeast Idaho. In some areas they are doing so well that they can cause serious damage to grain crops. Crop losses in Caribou County used to be a serious problem, but a coordinated program has made it possible for landowners to appreciate these unique birds along with hunters and bird watchers. During the summer, while crops are growing, a group of grain growers each sets aside 50 to 100 acres of grain as a lure crop. The landowners agree to let cranes use those fields so that the birds have a place to go when they are scared from other cropland. In return, the landowners get a payment through an endowment set up with the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The payments aren't enough to cover the full value of the lure crops, but they are enough to make a difference. The second part of the crane success story in Caribou County requires hunters. To help farmers discourage damage to their fields by sandhill cranes during the fall, hunts were established in certain areas of eastern and southeastern Idaho. Only a small number of crane tags are available. It is not enough to harm the crane population, but when the landowner and crane hunters team up, it can help "teach" the cranes which fields were set aside for feeding and which fields are off- limits. After several years of improved relationships between area farmers and hunters, the farmers decided to give back. It started last year with the first landowner-sponsored drawing for crane hunters. This year a dozen landowners have pitched in to buy a new shotgun that will be handed out to another lucky crane hunter. A drawing for the shotgun will take place after the conclusion of the sandhill crane hunting season in October. The shotgun is on display at Soda Shooting Sports in Soda Springs. The drawing is open to crane hunters in crane unit 1, which includes parts of Caribou and Bear Lake Counties. To qualify for the drawing for the shotgun, successful hunters must present their validated unit 1 crane tag and harvested crane at Soda Shooting Sports or one of the participating landowners. If hunters need to register their birds after hours, or if they need a spot to hunt, or wish to borrow sandhill crane decoys free of charge, they can contact Sid Cellan at 208-390-7057. All of the crane permits are available over the counter at Fish and Game offices and vendors until they are sold out. Though many landowners welcome sandhill crane hunting in their fields, hunters are reminded to always ask first before hunting on private property. For questions about hunting sandhill cranes in southeast Idaho, please contact Jason Beck, landowner/sportsmen coordinator with Fish and Game, at 208-232-4703. Jason Beck is the landowner/sportsman coordinator in the Southeast Region.