Manitowoc’s state representative in Madison is calling the passage of a future hunt a momentous occasion.
A bill that would allow the hunting of sandhill cranes and create wakeboarding limits passed the Wisconsin Assembly by a voice vote last Thursday (February 19th).
Rep. Paul Tittl has been at the forefront of getting the bill passed, which included his work on the Wisconsin Committee on Sporting and Heritage.
He tells Seehafernews.com that it took five months to look at how the sandhill crane population has grown in the state.
Rep. Tittl says the birds eat seedlings planted in the ground by farmers, causing crop damage, specifically soybeans, green beans, and potatoes, just to name a few.
He also says it will take two years to create an official hunt.
The Wisconsin DNR and the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife would need to review data, as they regulate all migratory birds.
“They’ll set limits every year, they’ll set seasons every year,” he noted. “It will be done in a safe, efficient manner to not denigrate the flock of sandhill cranes.”
The bill caused some controversy among Democrats, who voiced their displeasure after it was passed.
The Wisconsin Radio Network reported that the hunt was tacked onto a wake-surfing bill.
Rep. Tittl noted that changed later, adding, “They also did, later in the day, pass it as a stand-alone bill as well. It was attached as a substitute amendment with wakeboarding. And I think there was some people in our caucus that loved the sandhill cranes (bill) but didn’t like the wakeboarding. So, they made them vote for that.”
Tittl says he then saw something he’s never seen during his 13 years in Madison.
“We actually have two chances of it going to the state senate,” he explained. “And now the state senate can pick one of two bills to pass, and either one of them has sandhill crane hunts on them.”
The first bill is the one voted on with wake surfing, while the other is just a joint resolution for the sandhill crane hunt by itself.
When the bill will be voted on in the Wisconsin Senate is not yet known.
