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Friday, January 21, 2011

A New Plan for the Eastern Population of Sandhill Cranes

I am happy and relieved to report that the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Commission voted today to defer the hunting of sandhill cranes for two years in the state of Tennessee because they wish to see more data on the eastern population's growth and stability.  This is a victory for sandhill cranes and for all of us. It is a decision that puts the species first, and that gives everyone a chance to revisit the important issues--the science behind the Management Plan and the inclusion of all parties in decision-making. For this I am very grateful.
The full Commission decision was preceded by the Wildlife Management Committee meeting on Thursday of this week which allowed for presentations and discussion from both points of view.  The presentations were informative, respectful and thorough, and I cannot say enough about how I appreciated witnessing this part of the process.

Following the presentations, the Wildlife Management Committee held a vote which determined their recommendation to the full Commission. The committee's decision was not made easily. Commissioners varied in their thinking about the issue, however, they came to a consensus and made a decision--we need more data. Following their vote, the committee gave the conservation community a mandate regarding opposing views on the issue of hunting sandhill cranes--"talk to each other, come to a meeting of the minds. We will be at this decision point again in two years and the decision may go the other way."

Of these two issues--science and consensus--science is the issue that needs our immediate attention at this juncture. Kentucky and other states have expressed intent to follow Tennessee in requesting sandhill crane hunting seasons for the eastern population. The question remains, does the Management Plan for the Eastern Population have the science to support the hunting objective that is currently included in the Plan? Many of us would like to see that science revisited; there are many deficiencies in available knowledge about the Eastern Population that are identified within the Plan, itself. Additionally, some kind of equitable representation of opposing views on that level seems warranted, since any state that hunts the Eastern Population impacts the entire population.
I am encouraging individual conservationists and conservation organizations to send their own letters of concern and inquiry to USFWS.
I appreciate the work of USFWS and the Migratory Bird Program, as well as, the flyway counsels and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and its Commission. With the combined efforts of these agencies, private conservation organizations and individual citizens, we can continue to have a positive influence on the welfare of wild species and their habitat.

9 comments:

  1. Thank God.
    Way to go, Vickie!! (And everyone else who wrote letters and petitioned and rabble-roused)

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  2. Kudos to you, Vickie. I know you worked hard on behalf of the Sandhill Cranes. I appreciate your efforts.

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  3. Vicky I am so proud of the people of Tennessee and you for the good news.

    The management plan needs to really be looked at now.

    Thanks so much from the citizens of Wisconsin for taking the time to make all of us aware of the problems of the sandhills in the eastern flyway.

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  4. This is such incredibly good news I am very much relieved at present. You have done a fabulous job with his issue Vickie but, of course, we can't stop now. I have signed the petition and am spreading the word on the letters to request a new management plan for the Sandhill Cranes.

    Again, thank you for all the work you have done on their behalf. We must continue to keep this fight in the bird conservation consciousness for the next two years so we don't have to revisit the same arguments we are dealing with now.

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  5. Thank you, Larry. I want to add to the following to your comments. I was one of many people in Tennessee who worked tirelessly to influence this decision. I want to thank TWRA for the comment period that allowed everyone to have a voice, and the TWRC for their time, diligence and wisdom in making a difficult decision. We now have more time to work together, solve problems and add to our knowledge of the eastern population of sandhill cranes.

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  6. Vickie, so proud of the efforts by you and others from your state! Now let us all hope that nothing will happen in the future to overturn this great accomplishment~

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  7. Thank you Vickie for your all out efforts on behalf of the cranes. I am glad common sense and cool heads won the day; now we have some time to gather the scientific data to support the ban.

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  8. This is a great news! Thank you Vickie for all your hard work!

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  9. That first photo is wonderful. I was lucky enough to see some nesting SandHill Cranes last winter. I didn't realize it until I downloaded the photos that there were 2 wee ones with them. I was thrilled. I can sometime hear SandHill Cranes from my house but havn't been able to find them.

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