In Wisconsin, the estimated breeding pairs were reduced to only 25 pairs in the 1930's.  Since that time hunting bans and habitat protection have helped Sandhill Crane populations to slowly recover.  The average age for the first successful breeding is 4 years old. Some pairs take as long as eight years to produce a single chick (these are called "Colts").  A 22 year study showed that out of every ten nests only one Colt will survive!  Now, Wisconsin has the Whooping Crane on the Endangered Species list!  These cranes are sometimes hard to identify and it gets even worse because the two species often associate with one another!  Efforts are being made to increase the Whooping Crane numbers and hopefully get them off the endangered species list.  There is no reason to hunt Sandhill cranes and by doing so put Whooping Cranes in the line of fire!  This hunt has to stop!  These beautiful creatures belong to all of us...not just Wisconsin!  We have to let the governor of Wisconsin know we are watching him destroy these graceful beauties and the people of America are tired of watching animals & birds become extinct one at a time!