By George Ermert, WWA Board Member and Policy Committee Chair
This article appeared in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s December 2025 Newsletter edition.
Pictured above, WWA Executive Director Brad Heidel and Vice President Todd Schaller testify at the State Capitol in favor of legislation to bring a responsible sandhill crane hunt to Wisconsin.
On Wednesday, November 19, the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage held a public hearing on Senate Bill 112, which would – among other things – allow a responsible sandhill crane hunting season in Wisconsin.
WWA Vice President Todd Schaller and Executive Director Brad Heidel were among the numerous conservation organizations that came to testify in favor of the legislation to authorize a responsible sandhill crane season in Wisconsin.
WWA Executive Director Brad Heidel astutely told committee members, “There will be a lot of emotional testimony shared today. However, as representatives and those entrusted to uphold our state’s constitution, it is your responsibility to make a recommendation based on the facts and science – not emotion. Our supporters are overwhelming in support of a responsible / common sense / science-based Sandhill crane hunt.”
In addition to WWA, several other key conservation organizations testified or supported the legislation at the nearly four-hour hearing. This included: Delta Waterfowl, Safari Club International, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress.
The public hearing on Senate Bill 112 is just the latest step in WWA’s efforts to help bring a scientifically supported, responsible sandhill crane season to Wisconsin.
Over the last several years, WWA has been working to compile the background research and data needed to educate lawmakers, hunters, and the public on this issue. We have met with relevant stakeholders (on both sides of the issue) to educate and engage them. And we have been actively talking to decision makers about the issue.
In 2024, WWA was asked to participate in the Legislative Council Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes. The Committee’s scope was:
The study committee is directed to review and recommend options for legislation relating to the management of Wisconsin’s sandhill crane population. The committee shall examine population trends and determine whether any changes to state law would effectively address the incidence and consequences of crop damage caused by sandhill cranes in this state. As part of a comprehensive review of policy options, the committee may consider whether the Department of Natural Resources should seek federal approval to establish a hunting season for sandhill cranes. The committee shall recommend legislation to manage the population of sandhill cranes and address the agricultural impact of sandhill cranes.
WWA’s Vice President – and former Chief Warden of the Wisconsin DNR – Todd Schaller served as a public member of the committee. The Committee, whose membership included state lawmakers, farmers, hunting conservation groups, and non-hunting conservation groups, met five times between August and December of 2024 and heard dozens of hours of testimony from state / federal agencies and individuals associated with all sides of this issue. The bills authorizing a sandhill crane hunt currently before the legislature are the result of the thoughtful and diligent work of the Legislative Council Study Committee on Sandhill Cranes. WWA and our coalition partners are working to advance the bills this legislative session.
WWA is hoping for a favorable Senate Committee vote on Senate Bill 112 before the end of the year, and for the Wisconsin Assembly Sporting Heritage Committee to hold a hearing soon on Assembly Bill 117, a companion bill that would also establish a sandhill crane hunt.
