TENNESSEE SANDHILL CRANE HUNTING PROPOSAL UPDATE

The proposal to hunt sandhill cranes in Tennessee has been overturned for a two year period with a six to one vote at the TWRA meeting in Nashville today.  The cranes are safe.  In short:

WE WON                      
All the writing of letters to the commissioners of TWRA and TWRC were worth the effort.  The phone calls and newspaper articles written by concerned non hunters was worth it.  The emails to the Governor both sitting and incumbent were worth it.  This is happy news and I, for one, am relieved that the cranes will remain safe in their refuge at Hiwassi, Tennessee.  We must keep in mind that it is a two year reprieve for the cranes.  The issue will resurface again in two years.  The non hunting citizens of the state must find  ways to become more united in order to affect a more powerful influence on the agencies governing the future of the sandhill cranes.  For now;  thank you for your support and efforts.  And, the sandhill cranes thank you....

A COLD MISERABLE DAY and just some thoughts about cranes

click on photos to enlarge

I had hoped to get the canoe on the water today but I feared rain.  The wind was up before I was this morning but, abated shortly after 7AM.  I didn't feel like struggling against the current so grabbed the dogs and headed to the old state park.  I believe it's getting colder out.  I got a chill on my neck that has traveled down my back and I can't get rid of it.  I feel as cold as that picture to the left appears.

It's always nice to come across an old wooden fence.  The one to the right is a new find.  This old park is full of surprises.  Old fences pull at my soul.  They are reminiscent of times past.  They have character.  They conjure up visions of perspiring field workers and men dressed in gray clambering over them.

The interesting thing about old, ancient fences is that they usually are standing alone, held up by shrubbery or low hanging tree limbs that have grown between the boards lending support to the fence's structure.  Rarely do I find a building associated with an old wooden fence.  In the case of the fence to the left and above;  there is remnants of a log building.  Only one course of rotten logs remains of the structure.  Interesting...

I decided to stay off the trail and the road that disappears into the lake.  We would bushwhack through the forest.   A single row of rotting logs form the substructure of a long departed building.  It just appeared out of nowhere.  It makes one wonder what else is out here.

A termite infested and woodpecker riddled tree is about to fall.  It is rotten through and through.  It's demise guarantees life to others.  There is a reason for death in nature.

The termites eat the rotting wood of the tree;  the woodpeckers eat the termites and raptors prey on the woodpeckers.  It's the circle of life.

We broke out of the woods and onto the old ruin grounds.  The air was definitely getting colder.  Why can't I stay warm.  It's just a dreary, cold, damp day.  We probably should have stayed home.  But, I owe it to the dogs to get them to the woods.  Dogs need to seek.  It's in their genes.  To not allow a dog to seek and explore is to torture it.  They need to exhaust themselves seeking and wandering.
Douglas is seeking below:  He's seeking a squirrel

I guess my disgust with this sandhill crane hunt coming up is working hand in hand with the cold to make me chilly.  The older I get, the less I seem to understand the thought process that revolves around protecting wildlife.  Do we as humans complicate the wildlife issues to a technological degree that supersedes common sense approaches to wildlife problems and issues?  Is the taking of wild lives with a gun always the answer when they incur some minor offense to humans?  Do we as, wildlife stewards, find the gun the most expedient way of dealing with a troublesome wildlife problem?  In some cases I understand.  In the case of the sandhill cranes;  their only sin has been to come back from near extinction in great enough numbers to guarantee their existence.  I think the sin is to penalize them for their success.

CONVERSATION WITH A SANDHILL CRANE

I saw him standing there alone in the bog as I walked  around the huge rotten tree stump that separated us.  He was very tall and old too.  His primary's were ruffled and some missing.  He must have come a long way yet, he stood tall and straight;  a proud representation of his species.

I said, "Old one, how do you fare today and why are you alone?"

He replied in a hoarse voice, "I've come here alone to think.  I can not think when in the company of so many."

I asked, "what is it you are contemplating?"

And this is what he said:

I am confused where I fit in.

Are my kind not wanted anymore?

We're persecuted every turn,

Will we prevail if we endure?

What sacrifice do humans ask,

How many of us have to die,

To satisfy the urge to kill,

And rid us from the sky?

Are we so foul to look upon,

Repulsive in your sight?

We can not change our habits now,

And, we know not how to fight.

At your mercy we remain,

Targets one and all.

We hope the urge to kill is short,

So few of us will fall.

We once were looked upon in awe,

Our wings across the sky.

Would warm the hearts of man and child

To see us soar on high.

Persecuted now we are;

On unholy soil we stand.

What used to be our habitat

Will soon be bloody sand.

Sir, how many of us must you kill,

To satiate your lust?

How many must be sacrificed,

Til we regain your trust?

We cranes are but one link of chain,

That encircles life on earth.

I beg of you don't break that link

And falsify our birth.

Then he said;  "What say you now, to that sir?"

I looked directly into his eyes and could not respond.  With tears streaming down my cheek I lowered my head in shame.  I felt the wind from his powerful wings fan across me as he disappeared into the sky.  A miserable sense of loss came over me and I felt shame....

A LAST POSTING ABOUT THE PROPOSED CRANE HUNT

As you may imagine; this proposed crane hunt is an irritating issue to me.   TWRA commission will vote whether to have the hunt or not tomorrow, Thursday January 20, 2011.  I can guarantee the hunt will be sanctioned.  You know my position in this issue.  I am new to this state, 7 years, and I'm still feeling my way around the political arena and trying to figure out who does what and is responsible for which laws that govern our wildlife.  I had focused my full attention on (TWRC) Tennessee Wildlife Resource Commission and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), the agency responsible for upholding resource law.  TWRC dictates what TWRA can and can not do.  Now, however, another player comes to light;  The Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF).  I am finding out that the TWF has been pushing TWRA to have a sandhill crane hunt for years.  The TWF has not even surfaced in any discussions I have heard about this hunting proposal.  All comments by me and others have been directed solely toward TWRC and TWRA.  The mission statement of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation is:

Our mission is to champion the conservation, sound management and enjoyment of Tennessee's wildlife and natural resources for current and future generations through stewardship, advocacy and education.
Guess what;  they are a hunters advocacy group that carries the political backing of the state.  Don't believe me?  Check out the link below and count how many times the word hunter or hunting is written.  Then look for the term non hunter:

http://www.tnwf.org/tnwf/

Out of the left side of their mouth they talk about stewardship, education and the how to preserve, control and promote wildlife.  There's even a cute wildlife license plate available for purchase.  The other corner of the mouth is all about hunting.  "There's even a hunting for the hungry program."  It seems there are an endless stream of reasons to hunt (kill) animals than there are to just let them be and enjoy them.  Read that site.  This agency is the biggie that carries the weight and makes the hunting recommendations.  They apply the pressure to the regulating state agencies.

Why am I bringing this all up at this late date?  Because people need to be aware of what's going on with their wildlife.  I know I'm not making any friends in the hunting community here but, the situation is what it is and it's very one sided.  This brings me to an observation.  The fact that the unawareness of the TWF has not even entered into the hunting proposal equation indicates that the citizens of Tennessee are not informed.  Look;  TWF pushes the TWRC for a crane hunt;  TWRC puts it on TWRA's table to prepare a plan and arrive at an implementation date;  the hunt has the go ahead from TRF, TWRC, TWRA and the vote is tomorrow.  Believe me when I say TWRA knew this hunt would occur at it's inception regardless of opposition to it.   What has the opposition done to confront the issue?  We send letters to the TWRA commissioners and later to the TWRC commission.  A few letters have been sent to the sitting governor and also to the incumbent governor.  A very few of us have written a couple newspapers stating opposition to the proposed hunt.  Mostly though;  we whine, cry and scream "What a shame to kill a crane."   Some well informed birders and professional ornithologists in the group of non hunters have submitted impassioned pleas for the cranes and have even stated alternative means of controlling the populations at Hiwassi.   It won't work.  When the Chairman of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation makes the statement "if things are good table fare, we hunt them.", there is not much hope of overthrowing this crane hunt.  Chairman Mike Butler made that comment.  My final analysis is as follows and, it is nothing new if you've been reading my blog or articles concerning this proposed crane hunt:

Everything I have written above is a strong indicator that the citizens of Tennessee are not an informed citizenry when it comes to wildlife issues.  If they were;  this crane hunt would have been an issue with non hunters long before it progressed to the stage of public awareness when it did.  Remember this;  the sandhill cranes belong to everyone in Tennessee, not just those who enjoy or prefer hunting as a measure of controlling population.  It seems that every agency assigned stewardship of our wildlife does indeed prefer hunting as "the" control measure.   It all comes down to the dollar.  Unfortunately, that is the case in these times.  Tennessee has an opportunity here to change the face of the public's interaction with wildlife agencies and hunters.  Non hunters need to:

1.   Act as a unified group under leadership.  The leadership could be bird clubs keeping the finger on the pulse of political action.  Communicate between clubs and stay abreast of activities within the state that affect wildlife and birds especially.  Print letters in newspapers raising awareness to unpopular issues concerning birds and wildlife.

2.   Watch this Tennessee Wildlife Federation closely and monitor their web site.  They are often times the catalyst for unpopular wildlife mandates.  Go public through newspapers when wildlife, habitat and birds are threatened by inappropriate hunting activities.

3.   Non hunters have got to find a way to contribute to the TWRA.  It must happen.  This is mandatory!  I know it is a distasteful idea with non hunters to supply funds to an agency that supports hunting.  THINK!  Look at the big picture.  If every concerned non hunter pays exactly the cost of a hunting license to TWRA they will instantly be counted.  Here's how:
A box will be supplied on the hunting license to be checked off by the non hunter.  The box could be simply called non hunter.  The fee for the license collected.  Many things happen after one season.  TWRA realizes a landslide in income.  TWRA now counts the non hunters contributions and compares it with the hunter's contribution.  Whoa!  "whats this, they say?"   More non hunters have purchased licenses than did hunters.  I'll bet at least the sales would be half and half in the worse scenario.  Now what?

Now, the non hunters are counted, their revenue is counted and they have a very powerful say in the operations that affect wildlife in the state.  Not only will the birding community benefit but, the mammals, wildlife restoration projects, wetlands and all other programs affecting wildlife will have the interaction and/or intervention of the non hunting community.  Also, public professionals could now be brought into table discussions pertaining to the hunting of certain species.  No longer would the state run agencies have the only say about how our wildlife should be manipulated.  It's a win situation for non hunters.  All we have to do is get over the idea that by buying a hunting license is funding hunting.   The big picture must be viewed here.

My last comment is this:   I still have not seen this so called "for and against" count concerning the proposed hunt.  I heard a comment yesterday that the fore's and against were about even.  I'm not sure where these numbers come from.  But, I say this;  if it's that close than shame on every concerned person in the state that has not written or called the commissioners of TWRC or TWRA  in opposition to this proposed hunt.  There should not be any close vote.  The non hunting faction of this state far outnumbers hunters.  A close count between the two indicates a lackadaisical, sit back and watch attitude by non hunters.  If it is the case, then you have helped the destruction of every sandhill crane that plummets dead to earth.   I'll say no more about this issue.

Please visit the following link to learn more.  The site is operated by a very informed nationally known writer.  She speaks loudly for the cranes:

http://juliezickefoose.blogspot.com/2010/12/sandhill-crane-hunting.html

COMPLIMENTARY POSTING FOR POTENTIAL PUPPY ADOPTORS

If you click on the photos they will enlarge.  My name is Gary and I help Janet with dog rescue.  These two little guys have been with me on the premises since they were born.  They are a delight to be with.  If you can find it in your hearts to adopt these little dogs;  you have a pair of adorable winners.  They're healthy and ready to investigate the world. I hope I haven't spoiled them too much.   Good luck in your decision.

CRANE HUNTING PROPOSAL UPDATE

The vote whether to have a crane hunt or not will take place this coming Thursday in Nashville.  I am afraid the deck is stacked against the cranes.  I only now found out that the Tennessee Wildlife Federation has been prodding Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, TWRA, for years to have a hunt.  They say the crane population warrants it.  Mike Butler, the Executive Director of the Federation, makes a statement on the web site that "if things are considered good table fare, we hunt them."  (hunt is incorrect.  What an ignorant statement to make from a man in that position!   (Kill is the appropriate term)  He also poses the question, "the question to ask is why shouldn't we hunt them?"  If he has to ask that question at this stage of the game; he's had his head in the sand, or someplace else,  all year.  As far as "if it's good to eat, we hunt it" goes;  bald eagles are great fare I'm told.  They taste better than sandhill cranes some say.  This is nuts!  Every state agency is out to kill cranes.  It's that simple.  The bottom line is that the non hunters in this state need to find a vehicle with which they can channel funds into the TWRA in order to have a serious voice in issues concerning wildlife.  That, in my mind is putting a check mark in a box on the hunting license labeled non hunter and paying for the hunting license.  Non hunters can then be counted in numbers and dollars.  Furthermore, non hunters need to be more vocal and take an active participation in the wildlife they love.  Show concern through letters, internet action and phone calls.
I'm still waiting to see the results of the TWRA census that states the count of those for and against the killing of sandhill cranes and still have not been able to find it, if it exists at all.  I may be wrong but, I would at least hope the no's would far outweigh the yea's.   Of course, there is the possibility that the bulk of non hunters just don't want involved or just watching to see how things turn out, much like voting in this country.  If ya don't want to get involved;  then shut up and quit griping.
The WNOX Morning Show interviewed a lady named Vicky Henderson this morning.  She is a treasure of knowledge where cranes and wildlife in general are concerned.  It should be able to be heard live stream via computer shortly.

To summarize;  with the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, TWRA, TWRC and the hunters all wanting to kill cranes;  it looks like the hunt will transpire.  And, I say again;  what a noble challenge to shoot a sandhill crane!  What an achievement!  Can't wait to get home and show the kids what I did today!   What has the term Sportsman fallen to in this day and age?  It is not applicable here in this case.
Here,s the link to that site I mentioned above:

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110114/NEWS01/101140325/Proposal-to-hunt-sandhill-cranes-upsets-bird-lovers

In closing check out the movie below.  Wonder if we should have a hunting season on all the stuff in the film?  Seems to be a lot of em and I'll bet they're good to eat too.  Yum.  Really;  why can't we just leave some things alone.  Just let it be?

PROPOSED CRANE HUNT IN TENNESSEE

 

 Would you like to gaze in wonder at a the amazing sight of a graceful sandhill crane in flight or would you rather see it being held up by the neck in death by a proud, smiling sportsman?

He's writing a biased and one sided entry here, you say.  Here's how I see it.  A little bit about me;
I was raised on a farm in Western Pennsylvania and come from a family who not only looked forward to hunting season but, in the early years, actually relied upon hunting to supply meat for the ice box.  Farmers didn't make much back in the late fifties and early sixties.  I have been an avid hunter up until about eleven years ago.  I traded in my shotgun, rifle and pistols for a camera.  There came a time in my life when I couldn't justify killing wildlife for the sake of a participation in an annual season called Hunting Season.  I gain far greater satisfaction photographing the wild things in the wild places rather than killing them.  I lost the justification for pointing a gun at wildlife.  That's just me.  I, however, would not deny any person his privilege to hold a valid hunting license and take game legally according to law.  The process of participating in the practice of hunting is each individuals right.  This is still a free United States of America.   I have friends who are hunters and I do not condemn  the legal practice of hunting that they enjoy.  Now;  about this proposed crane hunt that Tennessee is proposing; why I am against it and how I view the term "hunting" when applied to the killing of cranes.  A brief history may be in order here.  I won't apply dates or any solid numbers as I don't have time to research right now.  But, I do know the background well enough to create the scenario of what has happened here in Tennessee concerning sandhill cranes.

Some time ago, 18 years I believe, a refuge for ducks was designed at Hiwassie, Tennessee.  Grain was planted for the ducks and the area was protected from human intrusion.  I believe something like 40 acres of grain was initially planted.  This is a good thing.  The Eastern flyway for the sandhill cranes, however,  is directly above the new duck refuge and, the grain directly below the flyway.  The cranes started stopping off at Hiwassie while on their migration routes to eat the ready available food.   TWRA says Whoa!  The cranes are eating all the grain for the ducks.  We gotta plant more.  And, more they planted.  The grain fields were increased to twice the size.  80 acres of grain was now offered.  Again and again the cranes stopped off at Hiwassie for the rich feast.  Something new began to happen.  Fewer and fewer cranes were leaving to continue their journeys on the migration route.  Now the food source was really taxed with the addition of these "reluctant to leave" cranes.  They were staying months longer than they should have.  When the refuge grain was depleted;  they started in on the farmers fields.  This brief, off the top of my head history brings us to today.  TWRA now states that the cranes are of a number that will allow them to be hunted.  They use the farmers complaints as a strong justification for the hunt.  The sportsmen, as I understand it, are for the hunt.  Not all are for it but, enough to weigh the scales in favor of the hunt.  TWRA states that the kill will only deplete 2% of the total number of the flock.  Ok;  if the cranes are devestating the farmer's fields to the point of ruination;  what is a 2% reduction in cranes going to solve?   What's 2% of 40,000 cranes?   800 cranes or near that.   The answer to the issue is simple.  Stop feeding the cranes and they won't stop anymore.  They'll go away.   But the hunting option appears to be the more savory decision. 


The hunters do supply TWRA with the revenues to operate with.  State taxes are not diverted to the agency.  The non hunters, however, do not invest funds with TWRA.   Who do you think the resource managers will really listen to?  There's more to this but, I'm reluctant to write a book here.  It's an overview if you will.


I say the following in summary:  I absolutely can not see how the word "hunting" can be applied to the taking of cranes.  Slaughter is a more appropriate term to describe the killing of this amazing bird.  They are big and ungainly on land and very slow when taking flight.  Once underway in the sky their speed can only be rated as ultra slow.  They gain elevation slowly and fly about as fast as a great blue heron.  I'm sure everyone is familiar with that wetlands bird.  To point a shotgun at these birds is like shooting fish in a barrel.  Where is the sport?  Where is the glory and the bragging rights?  How can a "sportsman" feel any pride in the killing of one of these magnificent birds?  I have found pictures on the internet of multiple hunters standing in line holding up dead cranes by the neck, dozens of dead cranes,  and actually smiling and acting proud about their accomplishments.  No, hunting does not apply in this case.  Shooting this slow moving ancient bird with a modern shotgun is slaughter.  The pellets will hit the bird, feathers will fly off, and the great bird will crumple to earth.   End of story.   I have considered myself a sportsman all my life but, if this crane hunt is approved and grown adult men, who call themselves sportsmen,  go afield and wantonly slaughter sandhill cranes in this state then I will gladly relinquish my association with the term sportsman.  The willful killing of these birds by men with guns is nothing less than shameful!  And shame on TWRA for not having the management ethics to "just say no" for once to the hunters.  Hunters already have a full plate of wildlife to eat.  And, cranes really suck on the cuisine list as a desirable meat.


TWRA will accept comments up to and including Wed this week from the public regarding opinions concerning the upcoming hunt that will run concurrent with the duck season.    Mailing and emailing addresses are below in the blurb I copied from the TWRA web site.  I would suggest to continue the mailings and emails even after the end date of opinion acceptance from the public.  Remember the following:


These imperiled cranes belong to the public of the state of Tennessee.  They are mine.  They are yours.  They are your children's.  They belong to us!  They do not belong to any one faction just because that group funnels money into the organization responsible for stewardship of "our" wildlife.  I am not known for diplomacy and I can guarantee I've upset a lot of folks with this blog entry.  The thought of killing sandhill cranes is shameful!   The idea of it casts a very dark shadow on the organization we all trust to preserve our wildlife and habitat.  And if the killing starts;  that organization will lose trust and validity in the eyes of people who wish to preserve wildlife;  not slaughter it.  And so it should....



Tennessee crane hunting
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency will continue to accept comments through Wednesday on a proposed 2011-12 hunting season for sandhill cranes.
The breeding, migration and wintering range of the Eastern Population of sandhill cranes is located within the Mississippi and Atlantic flyways. That population has seen significant growth during the past 30-40 years, and the birds are beginning to cause significant damage to agricultural lands.
The 2010 midwinter count documented more than 40,000 sandhill cranes in southeastern Tennessee. Some believe a hunting season is necessary to keep the birds' population and their effects on agriculture in check.
However, some bird enthusiasts are opposed to a hunting season for cranes.
Comments may be submitted by mail to: Sandhill Crane Comments, TWRA, Wildlife Management Division, P.O. 40747, Nashville, TN 37204 or e-mailed to TWRA.Comment@tn.gov. Be sure to include "Sandhill Crane Comments" on the subject line of your e-mailed submission.

QUIET WILDERNESS & SLIDE SHOW

The boat in the slides is called a Gheenoe.  I believe it is one of only two in Tennessee.  They are made to order in Titusville, Florida and used for shallow water fishing there.  I had mine built with raised decks fore and aft which makes it a more usable platform for photography.  The raised deck in front affords Douglas a secure place to ride.  These boats will travel in water as shallow as six inches and allows me to wander off the lakes and up shallow channels that reach into the mountains.  Hope you like the slide show.  I'm sort of hung up on the tune.  Yanni wrote it for his mother.  It is called Felitsa, her name.

Copy and paste the link below into  your browser to view a Summer visit to Slick Rock Creek on Calderwood Dam in North Carolina.  It may work if you just click on it.

http://picasaweb.google.com/loucksgl61/AWintersDayPaddle#5562604503710626450