SR 20: An Update on Proposed Sandhill Crane Hunt in Michigan

Senate Resolution 20, a proposal to designate the Sandhill Crane a game species and establish a hunting season in Michigan, was again heard by the Michigan Senate Committee on Natural Resources in early 2021. The committee refrained from pushing the resolution through at their March 3 meeting due to discrepancies in some of the data provided, but ultimately approved it at their March 17 meeting for it to be reviewed by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC). If the Commission decides to approve the resolution, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be the next legislative body to review and advise on the implementation of this resolution in the future.

What’s Next?

At the time of this publication, the specific date of when the legislation will be discussed by the NRC had not yet been determined. We will notify our supporters of any helpful action that can be taken on behalf of Sandhill Cranes as well as updates to this issue when additional details are shared by the Commission.

Michigan Audubon’s staff and volunteers, including wildlife biologists and ornithologists, will work directly with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to communicate essential considerations for this proposal from a natural history perspective.

Thank you! Michigan Audubon would like to thank everyone who voiced their concerns, again, with the hope of protecting both resident and migrant Sandhill Cranes in our state at such a vulnerable time in history. It is our intention to appeal to the governor for more ethical, ecologically sound management of natural resources and wildlife. 

How to learn more and stay tuned: Visit michiganaudubon.org/advocacy for more articles, links, and resources related to advocating for the Sandhill Crane in Michigan and learn more about how you can give back to birds. To ensure you’re following the latest news from Michigan Audubon, sign up for our eNews at michiganaudubon.org.

Featured photo: Sandhill Crane by Sandy Powell | APA

This article appeared in the 2021 Spring Jack Pine Warbler.