A bill has been introduced in the Wisconsin Legislature to open sandhill crane hunting in the state as well as provide financial support to farmers.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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2:50
For the third time in 14 years, a bill to open a sandhill crane hunting season in Wisconsin has been introduced in the Legislature.
The previous proposals failed to advance to the governor, even though they were authored by Republicans and introduced in a Republican-controlled Assembly and Senate. One even failed to get out of committee.
The coming months will tell if the Republican caucus – which still controls both chambers – has more support for the latest version of a crane hunting bill. The proposal is called SB112 in the Senate and AB117 in the Assembly.
Sandhill cranes were nearly eliminated from Wisconsin a century ago but thanks to state and federal protections and environmental improvements the birds have increased substantially in number. Wisconsin hosted an average of 51,000 cranes from 2018-22, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The increased population of sandhill cranes in Wisconsin has led to crane-caused crop damage estimated at $1.9 million annually, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Most of the crop damage in Wisconsin occurs in spring when cranes eat newly-planted corn. Other losses occur later in the year to crops including peas and potatoes.Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
The current crane hunting bill is different from its predecessors in two basic respects: it was prepared by the 2024 Legislative Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes and it includes new measures to provide financial compensation to farmers.
The Legislative Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes met five times last year to consider issues related to cranes in Wisconsin.
Since committee chair Rep. Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc, and author of the 2021 crane hunting bill) selected the group’s membership with a majority of representatives and individuals on record in support of crane hunting, it wasn’t a surprise when it voted 8-4 in favor of a crane hunting proposal.
The draft bill was advanced to the Joint Legislative Council which, as is customary, in turn introduced it in the Legislature.
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The bill would direct the Department of Natural Resources to initiate a crane hunt in the state as well as provide a cost-share to farmers to treat corn with a seed coating to deter cranes and increase the agricultural damage surcharge on all Wisconsin hunting licenses to allow farmers compensation for crane damage.
The proposal would require $1.875 million of general tax dollars (called GPR) in fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. Combined with a 50% cost share, the state funding would reimburse producers for seed treatment covering 300,000 acres of corn, according to a Wisconsin Legislative Council estimate.
If crane hunting were allowed in Wisconsin, farmers could apply for compensation for crane-caused agricultural damage. However, since the claims could exceed what is currently available in the fund, the bill would tack on from $1 to $4 to all Wisconsin hunting licenses, raising an estimated additional $1.3 million for the state’s wildlife damage claim fund.
It will remain to be seen whether the proposal’s mix of a new hunting opportunity and financial support for farmers bundled with additional costs to tax payers and hunters will help or hurt the bill’s odds of passing the Assembly and Senate.
Sen. Romaine Quinn (R-Cameron), vice chair of the crane study committee, said in December the Republican caucus has mixed support on issues of sandhill crane management but he thought the bill advanced by the crane committee would have the best chance to make it through the GOP-controlled Legislature and budget-writing committee.
Sen. Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit), also a member of the crane study committee, said he didn’t see compelling evidence to authorize a crane hunt in Wisconsin and his constituents didn’t want one. When he polled voters in his district 63% were opposed, 18% were in support and 18% didn’t answer, Spreitzer said.
In the only social science work on the issue in Wisconsin, a 2023 study by the University of Wisconsin Survey Center found 47.6% of its panel of state residents opposed crane hunting while 35% were neutral and 17.6% supported it.
It’s not clear whether Gov. Tony Evers would sign or veto the bill should it come to his desk. However he may have foreshadowed his preference on the issue in his 2025-27 state budget. Evers included a proposal to provide $3.7 million to reimburse corn farmers up to 50% of the cost of crane-deterring seed treatment. It does not include a crane hunting option.
Senate Bill 112 and Assembly Bill 117 would set the base cost of a crane hunting permit at $20 for a resident and $100 for a nonresident.
The Senate and Assembly versions of the bill were heard and referred March 7 and 11, respectively, to committees in their chambers.
The Senate version of the bill, SB112, was assigned to the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage. It is chaired by Sen. Rob Stafsholt (R-New Richmond); the vice chair is John Jagler (R-Watertown).
And AB117 was assigned to the Assembly Committee on Sporting Heritage. The committee is chaired by Rep. Treig Pronschinske (R-Mondovi). Rep. Paul Tittl (R-Manitowoc), who led the Legislative Study Commitee on Sandhill Cranes and authored the unsuccessful 2021 bill on crane hunting, is vice chair.
As of March 21 neither committee had scheduled a hearing for the bill.
Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame virtual ceremonies: The Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame will hold virtual ceremonies April 5 to honor its 2025 inductees, J. Baird Callicott, David Carlson and Robert Freckmann.
The WCHF was established in 1985. Its slogan is “Celebrating, Advancing, and Sharing Wisconsin’s Conservation Legacy.”
One-hundred twelve members have been inducted since its inception, including Frederick and Frances Hamerstrom, Aldo Leopold, John Muir and Gaylord Nelson.
The April 5 induction ceremonies will be held via Zoom. Each will feature speeches and presentations. Callicott’s induction is scheduled at 2 p.m. Carlson’s at 4 p.m. and Freckmann’s at 6 p.m.
For additional information on the WCHF, including how to support the organization and to register for the April 5 induction ceremonies, visit www.wchf.org.
Exposing the Big Game 