Hunters take 92 sandhill cranes during season

Posted: Friday, January 25, 2013 12:00 pm

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Hunters killed 92 sandhill cranes in Kentucky’s second hunting season for the bird. That’s 42 more than were killed in the previous season.
Most of the birds killed were in Hardin and Barren counties on private land. No more than 400 birds could be hunted during the season. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Migratory Bird Specialist Rocky Pritchert told WFPL in Louisville the department considers the season a success.
Pritchert says the highest estimates had between 100 and 200 birds being shot.
Three hundred and thirty-two hunters were given permits this year.
There are about 84,000 birds in the eastern population of sandhill cranes. It would have to fall to about 30,000 before Kentucky cancels the planned three years of hunting.

Published in The Messenger 1.25.13