Sandhill Crane
hunting regulations.
Huntable in 20 states — 1 with general season, 19 draw / limited entry. Click any state for the state-specific page.
Sandhill cranes are tall, gray, long-legged migratory birds that breed across the Northern US and Canada and winter from Texas and New Mexico into Mexico. Continental populations have rebounded to the point that several states now offer hunting seasons, primarily targeting the Mid-Continent population. Mature birds weigh 8-12 pounds.
Quota-restricted draw permits are the norm. Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky run various crane hunts. The hunt is similar to goose hunting — decoys, blinds in flooded ag fields, calling. Crane meat is highly regarded and widely called "ribeye of the sky."
Hunting regulations change. The information on this page reflects what we know about species presence and hunt availability based on state agency listings. For current season dates, bag limits, weapon restrictions, tag requirements, and reporting obligations, verify directly with your state wildlife agency. You are responsible for confirming current regulations before hunting.
Where sandhill crane can be hunted
20 states- AlabamaAlabama Wildlife & Freshwater FisheriesDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- AlaskaAlaska Department of Fish and GameYGeneral seasonVerify →
- ArizonaArizona Game and Fish DepartmentDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- ColoradoColorado Parks and WildlifeDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- IdahoIdaho Department of Fish and GameDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- KansasKansas Department of Wildlife and ParksDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- KentuckyKentucky Department of Fish and WildlifeDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- MinnesotaMinnesota DNRDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- MontanaMontana Fish, Wildlife & ParksDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- NebraskaNebraska Game and Parks CommissionDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- NevadaNevada Department of WildlifeDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- New MexicoNew Mexico Department of Game and FishDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- North DakotaND Game and Fish DepartmentDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- OklahomaOklahoma Department of Wildlife ConservationDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- South DakotaSD Game, Fish and ParksDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- TennesseeTennessee Wildlife Resources AgencyDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- TexasTexas Parks and WildlifeDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- UtahUtah Division of Wildlife ResourcesDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- WashingtonWashington Department of Fish and WildlifeDDraw / limited entryVerify →
- WyomingWyoming Game and Fish DepartmentDDraw / limited entryVerify →
Browse all species or download Bield: Hunt to start tracking sits and patterns by species and zone.