This estimte froma 12.5 percent sample of crane hunters is, at 
the 95-percent level of confidence, between limits of 27 and 658. 
Response bias error was removed from these data through the use 
of techniques developed by Atwood (1959). 
(1) Crippling loss: During the hunting season periodic aerial and 
ground checks were made on the crane roosting sites and feeding situa~ 
tions for the purpose of detecting crippled cranes. Only three birds 
fitting this category were found - one on the Lewiston Lake roost, one 
on Bitter Lake Refuge roost, and one in a field. 
Each hunter checked was asked if cranes were hit but not retrieved, 
and there were 31 affirmative answers to this question. It is not 
believed, however, that all of these "hits" resulted in fatally injured 
birds, as observations made in the field indicated that shots which 
only "dusted" the feathers of a crane were reported as "hit, but not 
retrieved." 
(m) ort and table qualities: All hunters contacted expressed 
their respect for the crane as a game bird. Its extremely cautious and 
suspicious nature placed the advantage on the side of the bird, The 
sporting quality was especially touted by those hunters using decoys, 
who rated the sport equal to, or better than, goose hunting. 
The crane prepared for the dinner table was also highly praised. 
Many methods of cooking were used, ranging from roasting to charcoal 
broiling. The breast meat, which is dark, was compared to that of the 
duck or goose, but much drier. The meat of the wings and legs was com- 
pared to turkey. 
(n) ‘rane response to hunting: As indicated previously, sandhill 
cranes are extremely wary. They possess keen eyesight and are quick to 
detect any objectsand movements they are not accustomd to seeing during 
the course of their daily activities and to avoid them. 
All evidence points to the fact that harassment, resulting from 
the light hunting pressure, triggered the hasty movement of cranes out 
of New Mexico after the first week of the season. This indicates that 
sandhill cranes are extremely sensitive to disturbance on their feeding 
grounds and while moving to and from their roosting areas. 
Discussion 
The cooperative study of the sandhill crane hunting season, described 
in this report, provided data which indicate that future controlled hunt- 
ing seasons in the eastern New Mexico and west Texas area would not be 
detrimental to either the greater or lesser sandhill crane populations. 
16 
