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Whooping cranes reported in KY; species off-limits to hunting

Federally endangered species has been seen as nearby as Barren County, in last two weeks. Large flocks of snow geese have been spotted in Kentucky, as well as tundra swans and trumpeter swans
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From Kentucky Fish & Wildlife

FRANKFORT, KY (Wed 9 Dec 2015) – Wildlife biologists have confirmed the presence of five federally protected whooping cranes in Hopkins County. Whooping cranes also have been spotted in Barren and several other Kentucky counties in the last two weeks.

Biologists with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources caution hunters to be mindful of the possibility of the presence of whooping cranes in their hunting areas.



The whooping crane is a federally endangered bird that may not be hunted. The Eastern Population of whooping cranes migrates between Wisconsin and Florida with their main migration corridor taking them through west-central Kentucky. There are approximately 100 whooping cranes in this population.

Whooping cranes are solid white with black wingtips. They have a red crown. Adults may have a wingspan of 7 ˝ feet and stand up to 5 feet tall on stilted legs. Juvenile birds are similar to the adults, but will have patches of brown or tan mixed in with the white. Both adult and juvenile whooping cranes are currently present in Kentucky.

Whooping cranes are similar in silhouette to sandhill cranes. However, sandhill cranes have gray bodies and are smaller than whooping cranes. Whooping cranes may associate with sandhill cranes so caution must be used while hunting sandhill cranes.

Kentucky’s sandhill crane hunting season begins December 12, 2015 and continues through January 10, 2016, or until 400 sandhill cranes have been taken. Hunters must apply for this quota hunt. Drawn hunters must successfully complete an online sandhill crane identification course before they can receive a permit.

Hunters should be aware of other large-bodied birds which may appear similar to whooping cranes.

Large flocks of snow geese may be present in western areas of Kentucky and small groups may be present statewide. Snow geese are white-bodied birds with black wingtips. They do not have stilted legs.

Tundra swans and trumpeter swans have also been reported across Kentucky. Swans are large, solid white birds with wingspans approaching 7 feet. They do not have stilted legs. Swans may not be hunted in Kentucky.

Hunters should always be sure of their target before firing a gun, regardless of the species being hunted.


This story was posted on 2015-12-09 17:55:56
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Birds of Kentucky: Whooping Cranes



2015-12-09 - Hopkins County, KY - Photo from Kentucky Fish & Wildlife.
Wildlife biologists have confirmed the presence of five federally protected whooping cranes in Hopkins County. Whooping cranes also have been spotted in Barren and several other Kentucky counties in the last two weeks. From Kentucky Fish & Wildlife

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