While a growing sandhill crane population can be exciting for bird watchers, it’s less exciting for some local landowners. Sandhill cranes, known for their loud call that can be heard miles away and their crimson crown and tall gray body, are known to cause some problems for farmers. The Division of Wildlife Resources shares that sandhill cranes are opportunistic eaters, grazing on plants, grains, insects, snakes and mice. For farmers, this can be frustrating, as the cranes can damage crops by digging up tubers and agricultural seeds. “Changes in weather patterns may mean a significant increase in the number of birds that become permanent residents of the area, especially in the winter months,” shares DWR Outreach Manager Tonya Kieffer-Selby. “This, of course, is excellent for bird-watchers, but it can prove to be troublesome for local farmers.” The crop damage the cranes cause is one of the main reasons the DWR has been working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Pacific Flyway Council to offer more crane-hunting permits in the area. For more information, contact the DWR Vernal office at 435-781-9453.
