Sandhill Cranes

[10-Ring]

Seems that every winter they come through here (Wilson County) earlier and earlier. Saw them here in March this past spring. I saw them on Saturday and could hear a flock right at dark this evening. They may well have bedded down behind my house. I'm fascinated by these birds for some reason. They have a distinct sound and you typically hear them before you see them. And they are usually flying very high. 

Edited November 28, 2023 by 10-Ring

[jhc77]

I remember about 2 years ago they came across Spring Hill. I was doing some truck training. I didn’t know what that noise was or where it was coming from! I looked straight up and there they flew. Way up too. Seemed like a miles stretch of birds. I got back in a truck after I knew what they were and how many. 

[KahrMan]

You can hunt them in TN but you have to apply for a draw.  They only give out like 500-700 permits for sandhills.  With a permit you are allowed to kill 2 birds.  

 

When I hunted them down in Texas we used layout blinds in cut corn fields with a lot of decoys to get them to land.

They are tough birds to bring down but they are fantastic eating. In Texas you can shoot 3 per day.

 

[papa61]

I had a small coy pond where we used to live. They will clean one out if you don't watch.  

[peejman]

They winter at the Hiawassee wildlife refuge near Cleveland.