Sandhill Cranes

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rbreedi1

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Dayton, TN
I drew a permit this year, first time I will be hunting for them. Anyone hunted them the past two seasons? Looking for any tips on how to hunt them and equipment needed. Thanks!
 
I have no clue, but congratulations.

I saw a show on tv not long ago about someone getting one.
From what I could tell it takes a HEAVY load to bring one down!!
 
ive never hunted sandhills, but good luck! I have hunted tundra swans in NC a few times though, and even as big as they are, a standard 3 1/2" BB hevi metal will fold them up just like a goose. The trick is not to be fooled by their size and lead them too much. A lot of guys will miss those bigger birds by leading them too much.
 
I drew a tag also.

There's not a ton of information out there about hunting them in TN, but it should be fun trying to figure it out. I plan on making some calls to TWRA in the coming weeks to hear what their thoughts on how I should go about it are.
 
Not sure if it is ethical or legal but they will be standing in the sloughs up and down the river. Park your boat on the riverside of the island or peninsula that creates the slough. Then sneak through the woods and shoot them where they are standing. If you want to shoot them flying then scout out where they are eating or resting and hide and wait.
 
BIGB":2g7ww4pa said:
Not sure if it is ethical or legal but they will be standing in the sloughs up and down the river. Park your boat on the riverside of the island or peninsula that creates the slough. Then sneak through the woods and shoot them where they are standing. If you want to shoot them flying then scout out where they are eating or resting and hide and wait.
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Thanks for the info. I'll check the regs and see if this is legal.
 
Thanks for the replies guys, looking forward to getting after them. From what I've read so far is have a good heavy goose load and one of the easiest ways is to locate an area they are using and hide and pass shoot as they come in. Also saw that they like to land on high areas in a field.
 
Hunted them in Oklahoma, believe it or not they are easier to knock down than a goose. Very easy to break a wing, we shot 1's and BBs and knocked them down out to 40 yds with no issues. Never hunted them in TN
 
Might check with the guys on the waterfowl forum at kentuckyhunting.net. Been a few guys take them since a season opened in Ky. From what I have read it is mainly pass shooting once you locate a feed area. When up in NW Indiana there was a fish and wildlife area not far from me, Jasper Pulaski that is a major stop over for them fall and spring. Nothing to go see 10 to 15 thousand in one field but Indiana has no season on them. Highly Protected up there to the tune of around 5 grand a crane.
 
Thanks guys, I heard some flying over while deer hunting yesterday evening in Rhea county. They must be starting to trickle in
 
Check out crane wreckers guide service. They have some good videos of their hunts online.
 
Anyone had any luck yet? They are really late this year, haven't seen the numbers that's usual this time. Took a ride around to look at and just seen a couple small groups of 5-10. Hopefully we get some cold weather by Jan 1st to push some big numbers down.
 
I took a ride last weekend looking for them. Couldn't find them outside the refuge. I did see a few flying, but not many. I've never paid much attention to them, so I couldn't say what is normal or not. From what I understand, the later it is, the more of them that are around. I plan on hitting it hard around Christmas and trying to fill my tags.
 
Yeah Im hoping we get a good push by the 1st. I don't understand why they don't let it run til end of duck season. These 70's this weekend isn't gonna help!
 
113 Sandhill Cranes killed this year. Well under the 400+ they killed last year. They simply weren't here due to warm weather.
 

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