H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife reported that only 50 Sandhill Cranes were killed at their inaugural hunting season, December 17th 2011 to January 15th, 2012. Their department had set a quota for 400 birds for this season. There’s an estimated count of approximately 20,000 sandhill cranes in the areas near the Barren River Lake.

Sandhill Cranes in flight

This hunting decision has been criticized  because the population of cranes is not creating any environmental damage. In fact they are using that area as a stopover while migrating. The department despite the resistance for this controversial action has decided to continue the hunting season for three more years and get more data before reevaluating this issue.

I for one oppose this measure of killing the birds just because it seems to them there are “Too many” Is this the way we should decide what animals should die or live? I would be more in agreement if they have proof that because the crane population is too large are destroying property or attacking people, maybe invading downtown like in the sic-fi  movies.

I think that we are living an era of exaggerations and excesses. The mediocrity of government officials and lack of common sense.

“You tell me if I’m wrong.”

Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101