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Went on my first Sandhill crane hunt last Saturday and I loved it! We had an Extrema 2, Silver Hunter, and a Browning Gold 10ga out in the field with us. I wasn't sure what shells to use but ended up using 3.5" #2 and #4. Was BB or BBB a better option? I am guessing this is similar to Goose Hunting. Heading back out this weekend to get some more birds in the ground. "Let me start off with two words: Made in America" | ||
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Are they really good to eat? There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t. – John Green, author | |||
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Shot size would depend on whether your pass shooting or decoying. They are rather large birds and can be dangerous if wounded. I'd never allow a retriever to go after a cripple unless they are highly trained on Crane retrieval or they could lose an eye. I've shot them with T shot pass shooting as you have less damage for mounting. #1's or BB's work well. They are considered excellent Bill. Many Texan's grill them with the breast stuffed with Jalapeno's and other ingredients. Gray Ghost Hunting Safaris http://grayghostsafaris.com Phone: 615-860-4333 Email: hunts@grayghostsafaris.com NRA Benefactor DSC Professional Member SCI Member RMEF Life Member NWTF Guardian Life Sponsor NAHC Life Member Rowland Ward - SCI Scorer Took the wife the Eastern Cape for her first hunt: http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6881000262 Hunting in the Stormberg, Winterberg and Hankey Mountains of the Eastern Cape 2018 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4801073142 Hunting the Eastern Cape, RSA May 22nd - June 15th 2007 http://forums.accuratereloadin...=810104007#810104007 16 Days in Zimbabwe: Leopard, plains game, fowl and more: http://forums.accuratereloadin...=212108409#212108409 Natal: Rhino, Croc, Nyala, Bushbuck and more http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6341092311 Recent hunt in the Eastern Cape, August 2010: Pics added http://forums.accuratereloadin...261039941#9261039941 10 days in the Stormberg Mountains http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7781081322 Back in the Stormberg Mountains with friends: May-June 2017 http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6001078232 "Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading" - Thomas Jefferson Every morning the Zebra wakes up knowing it must outrun the fastest Lion if it wants to stay alive. Every morning the Lion wakes up knowing it must outrun the slowest Zebra or it will starve. It makes no difference if you are a Zebra or a Lion; when the Sun comes up in Africa, you must wake up running...... "If you're being chased by a Lion, you don't have to be faster than the Lion, you just have to be faster than the person next to you." | |||
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The bird meat was great! We even went back out this past weekend and got 3 limits in short order. I sold my 12ga and bought a 10ga. Even with 3.5” shells the 10ga was doing so much better than the 12. I’m a believer. Maybe this year I will try a goose hunt  "Let me start off with two words: Made in America" | |||
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I have taken numerous Sandhills over the past 4 years hunting in Jackson county Texas. I use an SP10 with 1.75oz #2 Hevi-Shot. I have also used Dead Coyote, 00 buck-lead, and 2.375oz of Hevi #5. I love hunting Sandhills. The breast meat is fantastic as is the heart, liver, and gizzards. Andy B We Band of Bubbas N.R.A Life Member TDR Cummins Power All The Way Certified member of the Whompers Club | |||
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Just shutting the bastards up makes shooting them worthwhile.  Gotta be among the ugliest bird calls out there.Grizz Indeed, no human being has yet lived under conditions which, considering the prevailing climates of the past, can be regarded as normal. John E Pfeiffer, The Emergence of Man Those who can't skin, can hold a leg. Abraham Lincoln Only one war at a time. Abe Again. | |||
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Grizz, actually I love the sound of a couple of thousand Sandhills half a mile up. Reminds of Nebraska. There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t. – John Green, author | |||
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Maybe this year I will book a Goose hunt. Crane was too much fun. Made me sell my 28" 3.5" 12ga Browning Silver Hunter and picked up a 10ga 28" Browning Gold  . Sure lays them down even at 60+ yards.When there are thousands in the air you don't hear the "purr" inbetween the caws...just sounds like a constant noise like dialtone. Impressive to see thousands coming at you and knowing you can shoot when they are in range "Let me start off with two words: Made in America" | |||
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FYI. Legal to use lead shot as they are not considered waterfowl. Might have state laws that prohibit it. | |||
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Lead is legal in Texas as long as you are not hunting waterfowl at the same time. Federal used to make a 3 inch 12 gauge #2 copper plated lead that was awesome. "Never, ever, book a hunt with Jeri Booth or Detail Company Adventures" | |||
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Update -- 2018-2019 season was a success on the Sandhill Crane as well. These cotton fields I have access to hold the birds for usually 4 weeks during the migration. 10ga T shot is my favorite for them. I'll upload some photos and share them this evening. I used a hand call this year and that worked great. Could visibly see the groups hear the call and turn and come straight in. Maybe next year I will get coffin blinds and decoys. "Let me start off with two words: Made in America" | |||
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I’ve never hunted Sandhills, but have wanted to for quite a few years. I find it interesting that guys shoot 10 gauges, so my question is ‘How far are most Sandhills shot?’ I’ve been hunting waterfowl for over 50 years and for the last 35+ years, 95% of my shots have been with a 2 3/4” 12 gauge. That includes shooting lots of geese. I normally shoot 4’s but when goose hunting specifically I usually drop down to 2’s. I’ve never shot a 3 1/2” 12 gauge or 10 gauge. Ever. I’m simply curious... do guys need to shoot these bigger guns for cranes? I have an invitation to come hunt them and figured I just bring a 3” 12 gauge and shoot Hevishot, probably 2’s or BB’s. Am I thinking wrong? | |||
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Have hunted Sandhills in the Texas Panhandle many times. The Federal 3 inch copper plated lead (if still available) was lethal in a 12 gauge. If not available I would go with HeviShot. Expensive, yes, but a small part of the overall cost of the hunt. "Never, ever, book a hunt with Jeri Booth or Detail Company Adventures" | |||
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I have hunted sandhills in the Panhandle a few times and it was fun and the meat good too. We limited out early and went to brunch each time. Our guide was a taxidermist and his decoys were stuffed sandhill cranes.  On each hunt he had us wait until the birds landed in the decoys and then we tossed the blind cover over us to our back and began shooting- Limits in short order.He used a 20 gauge and killed a limit with one shot each. He gave his birds to his hunters. I used my Parker 12 ga , another a 10 gauge, and so on, but truthfully a 20 gauge is all that is needed if the gunner can shoot. If your 20 ga kills quail, just shoot the crane in the head and it is dead. The dog work is fun to watch as they are hard charging and bust wounded birds before they are pecked. Good sport and good eating. NRA Life Benefactor Member, DRSS, DWWC, Whittington Center,Android Reloading Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/ | |||
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