CRAZY FOR CRANES
Sandhill Cranes offer a challenging hunt and delicious rewards. Nicknamed “ribeye in the sky,” the sandhill crane is juicy, tender and delicious. Once dismissed as tough and unpalatable, thanks to modern wild game cookery, this source of flavourful wild protein is now a waterfowl hunter’s favourite. And each fall, hunters flock to the Saskatchewan in search of this wary wader.
In early August, sandhill cranes begin their southward migration, stopping enroute in southern Saskatchewan to rest and feed, fueling the next long leg of their journey. Hearing their call marks one of my favourite times of the year. And in my family, waterfowl season always starts with a crane hunt.
During September and until about mid-October, cranes are plentiful in Saskatchewan, and the hunting action is hot.
Finding Sandhill Cranes
Sandhill cranes are abundant across Saskatchewan’s grain belt, congregating in large flocks wherever there is water for roosting. Twice a day, they fly to and from the fields, feeding on a rich buffet of crops, grasshoppers, and other tidbits, returning to the shallow marshes to rest mid-day. Cranes’ tell-tale slow wingbeats, unique call, and distinctive body shape alert hunters to foraging cranes even from a distance.
Saskatchewan’s dense network of gravel roads makes scouting new hunting spots a breeze. The more challenging part is getting permission to hunt private land at this busy time of year for farmers who own it. Even so, public lands offer excellent opportunities too and are well worth investigating for do-it-yourself hunts.
Hunting Methods
Sandhill cranes are accessible to any hunter. They don’t require specialty gear to get started. A crane was the first bird my wife ever shot. On a foggy September morning, a lone crane winged its way past our position, and a well-timed shot dropped it from the sky. From that point forward, she was hooked on hunting!
Pass shooting is the easiest, low-budget technique for bagging birds. Sandhill crane behaviour makes this tactic particularly effective. Cranes fly in small flocks, follow predictable flight lines, and fly low, usually well within easy shot gunning range.
A hunter positioned along the cranes’ general flight path is likely to have good luck. The biggest trick is pinpointing the specific flight lines. Many a hunt, I’ve scouted and located the ‘perfect spot’ only to have the cranes flank me by 200 metres. Because many small flocks are often spaced out over an hour or more, it is tempting to move to a ‘better spot’ one with more flocks overhead. But moving doesn’t guarantee more action. Many times, if I move, the flocks appear to be going over the place where I was just sitting.
THE USE OF DECOYS
Decoying coaxes sandhills in even closer. New crane hunters marvel the first time they see these gangly birds drifting towards the decoys, lowering their landing gear. Several companies now offer sandhill crane decoys. Full-bodied decoys feature incredible life-like detail, while silhouette decoys are lighter and easier to deploy.
The raucous gurgling call of the sandhill crane can be mimicked with a mouth call. While calls are not necessary, I feel they draw cranes’ attention to the decoys, after which the visual appeal does the rest. When I imagine what prehistoric birds sounded like, the crane call comes to mind. Fun fact, the earliest Sandhill Crane fossil is estimated at 2.5 million years old! Maybe I’m not so far off.
Cranes have good eyesight and can easily detect unnatural motion. A well-camouflaged A-frame-style blind works well, as do layout blinds. One of my favourite methods of hunting cranes uses a ghillie suit for hiding in the open field and a handful of decoys. In less than ten minutes, I can set decoys and be ready to shoot at incoming birds.
Self-Guided versus Fully Outfitted Hunts
Crane hunting is well within reach of any hunter. So, your choice between a do-it-yourself or a guided hunt depends on your budget and how much work you’re willing to put in. Guided hunts offer many advantages and luxuries. Outfitters find the birds, get landowner permission, supply the blinds, and decoys plus have an experienced guide for calling and cleaning birds. At the end of the hunt, there’s a hot meal ready and waiting. It doesn’t get much better. Some of my best sandhill crane hunts have been with Saskatchewan’s premier outfitters.
MANY GREAT SASKATCHEWAN OUTFITTERS
Saskatchewan Outfitters realize the unique opportunity crane hunting provides, and many offer exclusive sandhill crane hunts. Prairie Sky Outfitters is one such business. Hunters round out their waterfowl hunting experience with morning goose hunts and afternoon crane or duck hunts. A genuine mixed bag hunt!
Dogs and Sandhills
Sandhill cranes are big birds. Standing up to 1.4 metres (4.5 feet) tall and equipped with large, mighty wings, sharp toenails, and dagger-like bills, they can inflict some severe damage to a dog. Some hunters leave their dogs at home for crane hunts, or while others don’t send them after wounded birds. Larger breeds capable of tackling a large Canada goose can usually outwit and dispatch a crippled crane, but they may still experience collateral damage.
PREPARING THE BIRD
Plucking and roasting a whole crane was standard cookery in the past, and in my experience is not the best way. Parting out a bird to use the prime cuts (breast meat) as you would steak, then using the legs and thighs in stews, uses the entire bird to its best advantage. Rusty red feathers indicate juveniles. While butchering, it’s easy to tell younger tender birds from older, tougher ones by the texture of the muscle and how the skin attaches to the meat. In my kitchen, old birds are transformed into jerky and younger birds pan fried as steaks to perfection.
Parting Shots
The central flyway of Saskatchewan offers outstanding crane hunting opportunities. Generous limits and skilled outfitters provide non-stop hunting action, and self-guided hunts are easily accomplished even for rookies. Sandhill cranes provide an abundance of tasty meat long after the hunt. A hunt for Saskatchewan ribeye-in-the-sky is a bucket-list hunt for every serious waterfowl hunter.
Crane Hunting Gear
The essential equipment includes a modern shotgun capable of shooting non-toxic shot, typically 12-gauge by anything 10- to 20-gauge is okay. A non-toxic shotshell with a heavy load of number 2 shot works well, and as a bonus, this shotgun/load combination works equally well on large ducks and geese. Choke choice is based on shooting scenario; a modified choke over decoys and an improved-modified to full (steel) for pass shooting. Camouflage is important, especially a face mask (shining unmasked faces peering up from a blind are a dead giveaway). Beyond these basics, decoys and calls add the next level of enjoyment to the hunt.