Yes, writers to their forum (I’ve been denied access) have shot something they probably shouldn’t have shot, a Greater Sandhill Crane. They were looking at ducks and all of a sudden shot a 6′ tall migratory bird.
We watch these birds come up north and land every spring to mate, nest and raise their colts. Even though I have a cooking blog I do not specialize in Greater Sandhill Cranes because I’d rather see them on the Preserve we abut and watch them with their young, teaching them to find food, and to fly.
I’ve always said I’d rather shoot them with a camera instead of a gun.
This year they had two colts that learned to fly early, as last year they lost one to a fox. You can easily see all four looking for food.
All I can say is that I’m glad these and several other pairs, who mate for life, live and breed on protected lands. These hunting sites won’t let anyone in, even if they’ve tagged this blog. No, I don’t know the best way to cook illegally caught Sandhill Crane. Nor will I help you gut it, de-feather it or cook it.
Also, please try to look at the bird you’re aiming at before you pull the trigger, fellas. Maybe that pre-dawn six-pack is kicking in.
And hunters, before you swarm in on me, we got us some wild hogs. I draw the line at protected species, will not give you recipes for dodo bird, and don’t hunt. Keep up the poaching ’til you’re caught, guys. Have fun in HuntingNet-ness. Dee
Cooking with Dee 