http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/07/19/crane-hunting/
I am curious if any of the 14 Audubon chapters in Minnesota or the Conservation Comte of MOU was aware of this action by MNDNR? Was there a comment period published in the Federal Register (for FWS) or the State Register (for DNR)? From the few other msgs about this on Saturday, I must not be the only oblivious and ignorant MOU person out there. Also, if either Ron Refsnider (retired USFWS) or Bob Russell (FWS) have any comment. Actually I should only address the request to Ron (ex-classmate) since he is no longer an employee. (These guys are both scientists & ornithologists and huge conservationists, so this is not at all personal. They are also very friendly and honest and knowledgeable. (I think I make my point.) They are two people with knowledge of the agency.) I am curious how the FWS decides how to allow a season on a migratory bird and make it a game species? Obviously, there are exemptions to the protections of the 1918 Migratory Bird Act for exotic species and game species (e.g. waterfowl). . Also I know DNR staff read the MOU email, but no one notified re the crane issue. 800 or 900 MOU listserv people might have had some influence with the agencies if they had knowledge and took the time to react. Clearly, I could do my own research, and I am looking for shortcuts. I should google 'SHCR and MN' for starters. I do remember the note a few months ago that MN was thinking about a season on sandhills, and I fwded it to a few people. I did not write any letters or make any phone calls. I am surprised that this issue is now final and I didn't know about the formal proposal. I am not trying to start a verbal 'dust-up'. But if any one who knows anything about the process that occurred and would be willing to communicate with the rest of us rubes, I would appreciate it. A link to the FR or SR notices would be useful. Or the contact info for someone at either agency. The one guy at DNR is mentioned in the article, but staffers are usually better resources than supervisors in govt agencies. I don't think cranes of any species should be huntable or hunted anywhere in the world. On the other hand, I am not so fond of gulls actually and there seems to be a sustainable population of ring-billed gulls in particular in the state. :=>) so the oil gusher is finally stopped and now Minnesotans can hunt sandhill cranes. oh the humanity!!! oh humankind!! Gordon Andersson St Paul ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
