ABSTRACT 
The first open season for hunting sandhill cranes in the 
United States was permitted during January 1961, in the eastern 
counties of New Mexico. The population of these birds in the area 
of hunting was 150,000 before the season opened. After one week of 
hunting and throughout the remainder of the season the population 
dropped to 1,500 birds due to moving out of the area into west Texas. 
An estimated 1,446 hunters participated and shot an estimated 542 
cranes, or 1.7 percent of those present in the area. Weights and 
measurements of all cranes which passed through checking stations 
indicated none of the race known as greater sandhill crane had been 
taken. Sex ratio of checked cranes was 59 males to 60 females. Age 
ratio was 107 adults to 30 immatures. Food eaten consisted almost 
entirely of grain sorghums and green alfalfa. 
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