Hunting The Ribeye In The Sky!
All types of hunting hold special charms. The long wait of getting deer to come into bow range, the speed of upland birds and the ridiculousness of Prairie Dogging. Each present challenges, require unique skills and connect with the hunter in their own special way. So, when anyone talks about hunting a new species hunters perk up their ears and immediately imagine their own trophy picture. When I first heard about Sandhill Crane hunting, I knew I had to make that picture real.
Each year duck hunters harvest over 6.5 million Mallard, Teals and Woodies. About 2.6 million Geese are dropped. Sandhill Cranes make up less then 0.003% of the Migratory Bird Harvest. If you’re reading this and say to yourself, I have never hunted Sandhill Cranes; you are in the vast majority of Hunters.
The experience is amazing. Sandhills move in massive swirling flocks though the central flyway. Standing nearly 4 foot tall they can have wing spans of 7 feet. They come to calls and decoys in a loud staccato bugling that is equal parts beautiful and terrifying. Fossil records suggest the Sandhills are possibly 10 million years old and certainly older than any other bird species. Until those folks at Jurassic Park get the kinks worked out this is as close as we are getting to hunting pterodactyls.
My first experience with SandHills
Tucked in the blinds we watched them come from 150 feet up across a mile of open field. Responding to our guide’s skillful call they wheeled and turned towards us. Blood starts pounding, vison shrinks as they flare to drop down among the spread. After what seemed like hours the command sounds “kill em.” I have a JTS AK12 and I hammed down the safety as I rise. I was staring at one bird on the ground and as I brought the gun down, he started to rise. I fired and to my endless joy I see him drop right back down. 4 other birds from this group joined him on the ground. Every shooter armed with a JTS Shotgun had added to the soup. In the aftermath the adrenaline buzz was simply amazing.
Called the Rib Eye of the sky these large hardy birds provide the best meat found on the wing. With a texture more like beef they stand up to hot, fast cooking methods and are best eaten like a steak.
A quick word of warning; Sandhills have survived 10 million years. They are both smart and tough. If you want hunting success; connect with talented guides who really understand these birds who also have dogs that know how to handle them. Cranes have 3-inch sharp strong beaks that can injure or kill a dog and if they can’t fly, they will fight.
A word about our guide; Sand Creek Outfitters in Cherokee Oklahoma. A good guide knows the birds and how to set up. A great Guide takes your success personally. The Sand Creek crew are the hardest working most dedicated crew I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Their knowledge of the land, birds and hunting skill was as expected; excellent. That should be true with any guide. What really set this crew apart is that you knew from the moment you stepped into their beautiful lodge that these folks cared about making this a lifetime hunt. They know that most people; even dedicated waterfowl hunters have never experienced Sandhills, and they made sure we could put beads on birds.
These hunts fill up fast so reserve your spot early.
Please visit Sand Creek outfitters at:
Huntsandhillcranes.com or call 580-884-7806
Let them know JTS Shotguns and Final Descent Outdoors Sent you