When hunting Sandhill Cranes, knowing the right place to aim is essential for an effective and ethical kill. Sandhill Cranes are large birds with long necks and legs, so targeting the vital organs can be more challenging than with other game birds. By understanding crane anatomy and shot placement, hunters can increase their chances of a clean harvest.
Anatomy of a Sandhill Crane
Sandhill Cranes have an elongated body shape with a long neck and legs. Their body length ranges from 3 to 5 feet and they have a wingspan of 5 to 7 feet. Some key aspects of Sandhill Crane anatomy to note for shot placement include:
- Long neck and head – The neck makes up about 1/3 of their full body length.
- Narrow torso – The wings and body are narrow in width.
- Large breastbone – The breastbone (sternum) protrudes outward.
- Long legs – The legs extend far below the body.
Knowing this anatomy helps determine what areas provide the most effective target zones. The long neck, narrow torso, and extended legs make cranes challenging targets compared to more compact birds.
Ideal Aim Points on a Sandhill Crane
When hunting Sandhill Cranes, the optimal areas to aim for are the head, neck, and upper breast to impact major organs and nerve centers:
- Head – A head shot will hit the cranial region and brain, resulting in instant death.
- Neck – The neck contains the spine and spinal cord. Hitting these will cause paralysis and kill the bird.
- Upper breast – The upper breast contains vital organs like the heart and lungs. Striking these areas will lead to rapid death.
These areas contain the critical anatomical targets to strive for. Aiming for the legs or lower abdomen is not advised and may lead to wounded birds or non-fatal hits.
Best Shot Angles for Sandhill Cranes
Considering a Sandhill Crane’s body profile, some shot angles increase the chance of hitting the vital target zones. Recommended shot angles include:
- Broadside – A perpendicular side shot allows access to the head, neck, and wing. This presents the largest target area.
- Quartering away – A shot with the bird facing away at an angle exposes the head and neck.
- Overhead – A high shot down on the bird’s back can strike the spine and neck.
Frontal and rear shots are not advised. A front shot risks missing the small head and neck area. A rear shot must penetrate through the body to reach vital organs, increasing the chance of wounding.
Shots at cranes in flight or on the ground both require aiming for the head and upper neck region when leading the bird or estimating angle.
Shotgun Chokes and Loads for Sandhill Cranes
The equipment used also influences shot effectiveness on Sandhill Cranes. Ideal shotgun chokes and loads include:
- Modified or Full Choke – Tighter choke constrictions keep the shot pattern dense at longer ranges.
- No. 2 to BB Steel Shot – Larger steel pellets retain energy downrange and penetrate the crane’s dense feathers.
- High Velocity Loads – Fast shot speeds maximize the shot energy on impact.
This combination of chokes, shot size, and velocity provide the necessary pattern density and energy for clean kills on these large birds. Heavier loads with 1 1/4 to 1 1/8 oz of shot are also recommended to provide ample shot density.
Maximum Effective Hunting Range
Ethical hunting also requires limiting shots to suitable distances you can consistently hit the vital target areas. Recommended maximum hunting ranges for Sandhill Cranes are:
- 30-40 yards with a 12 or 20 gauge semi-auto shotgun.
- 40-50 yards with a 10 or 12 gauge semi-auto shotgun
- 30 yards or less with older pump action shotguns.
Extending shots beyond these distances increases the likelihood of wounded birds or non-fatal hits. Limiting your effective range ensures the shot provides adequate pattern density and energy.
Proper Gun Mounting and Shooting Fundamentals
Correct shooting form and gun mounting help accuracy and aim when targeting Sandhill Cranes:
- Mount the shotgun snugly into the shoulder pocket to absorb recoil.
- Establish a solid cheek weld on the stock comb for alignment.
- Anchor the lead elbow down to pivot and swing smoothly.
- Lean forward with the torso for balance and stability.
- Use a relaxed but purposeful grip for smoother trigger control.
- Swing through the target and follow through after the shot.
These fundamentals will lead to accurate and ethical hits on cranes. Rushed or improper shooting form increases the likelihood of misses, poor shot placement, and wounded birds.
Patterning Your Shotgun
Patterning your shotgun on paper prior to the season ensures your ammo and chokes are performing properly. To pattern a shotgun:
- Use the same ammo size, brand, and choke you will hunt with.
- Set up a large paper target at 30-40 yards (ideal crane shooting range).
- Fire 3-5 aimed shots at the blank paper and examine the pattern.
- The shot should produce a dense, even pattern in a 30-inch circle.
- Adjust chokes or ammunition until the desired density is achieved.
This practice verifies your equipment can deliver tight, uniform patterns for efficient crane kills. Uneven patterns or excessive spread will lead to poor hit rates and wounding losses.
Hunting Ethics and Preparation
In addition to anatomy, equipment, and shooting skills, ethical crane hunting requires proper preparation and a mindset for clean kills:
- Know your effective range limits and only take high percentage shots within those ranges.
- Strive to remain concealed and still when birds are approaching.
- Select shot sizes and ammunition effective for crane hunting.
- Focus fully on bird safety and wounded bird retrieval.
- Practice repeatedly at the shooting range before the season.
- Maintain shooting skills and conditioning year-round.
- Only attempt shots you can confidently execute.
With the right mindset and diligent preparation, you will be ready to make accurate shots on cranes when hunting opportunities present themselves.
Lead and Timing on Moving Cranes
When targeting cranes in flight, proper lead and timing are essential for hits. Key tips include:
- Establish the bird’s flight speed and trajectory as soon as possible.
- Mount the gun and get ready ahead of the bird’s flight path.
- Lead the bird’s head by an estimated 2-3 feet for close shots.
- Lead up to 6 feet or more for fast birds at longer ranges.
- Swing smoothly with the bird and fire when the lead feels right.
- Follow through after the shot to verify timing.
It takes practice to estimate proper leads on flying cranes. Learning the techniques above and shooting clay targets on the range will prepare you for shot opportunities.
Recommended Hunting Shotguns for Sandhill Cranes
Having the right shotgun for Sandhill Cranes improves accuracy, effective range, and shot efficiency. Ideal crane hunting shotguns include:
| Gauge | Barrel Length | Choke | Recommended Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Gauge | 26″-30″ | Full | Remington SP-10, Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 |
| 12 Gauge | 26″-30″ | Full or Modified | Browning A5, Mossberg 930, Remington V3 |
| 20 Gauge | 26″-28″ | Modified or Improved Cylinder | Weatherby SA-08, Benelli Montefeltro |
Heavier 10 or 12 gauge models allow efficient crane kills out to 40+ yards when proper shot placement is used. Lightweight 20 gauges can also be effective on these birds at closer ranges. An autoloader shotgun helps ensure fast follow up shots.
Shotgun Shooting Techniques for Cranes
Two primary shotgun shooting methods can be used when targeting Sandhill Cranes:
Sustained Lead
- Maintain lead on a flying bird from behind and through the shot.
- Requires less lead estimation adjustment after the initial set up.
- Helpful for crossing shots on birds at different distances.
- Requires more practice reading bird speed and trajectories.
Swing Through
- Start behind the bird and swing through to lead it.
- Pull the trigger when the bead or sight reaches the target area.
- Averages out changing distances to the bird.
- Easier for beginners to learn but requires timing.
Both sustained lead and swing through have pros and cons. Trying both will help determine your preferred technique.
Shot Placement Tips by Range
Recommended aiming points vary based on shooting distance. Use these shot placement tips for typical crane hunting ranges:
| Range | Shot Placement |
|---|---|
| 30 yards and closer | Upper neck and head |
| 30-40 yards | Head and upper neck |
| 40-50 yards | Neck and head only |
As distance increases, a more precise neck and head shot is required. Limit shots beyond 50 yards for ethical kills and reduced crippling losses.
Wind Effects on Shot Placement
Wind can alter shot placement on crane targets, requiring compensation. Follow these tips when shooting in windy conditions:
- Note wind direction and speed strength before shots.
- Aim slightly into a crosswind to counter wind push.
- Allow for extra lead on headwinds to overcome velocity reduction.
- Limit shots during gusty or excessive winds.
- Observe shot impacts to adjust aim for wind as needed.
Predicting and compensating for wind effects ensures patterns stay on target. Refrain from taking shots when winds exceed 20 mph or reach the limits of your shooting abilities.
Leading Flying and Moving Cranes
Lead amount varies based on bird speed and trajectory angles. Use these leading guidelines:
- Perpendicular Crossing Shots – Lead bird 3-4 feet.
- Incoming Shots – Lead bird 1-2 feet depending on range speed.
- Quartering Away Shots – Lead bird 4-6 feet or more as needed.
- Fast Middle Distance Shots – Lead crane 6+ feet out front.
Practice tracking birds in flight and get a feel for when to pull the trigger. Vary leads as needed based on observed bird speeds and angles.
Downed Crane Recovery
When hunting cranes, preparation for downed bird recovery is a must:
- Watch shot birds closely to note downed locations.
- Immediately walk over to retrieve downed birds before they can run or hide.
- Use well-trained retrieving dogs to find and recover shot cranes.
- Equip yourself with bright orange flagging to mark downed spots.
- Carry a GPS device to mark waypoints on downed birds.
With proper training and preparation, you can achieve excellent crane retrieval rates. Do not take shots near dusk when recovery becomes difficult.
Conclusion
Placing effective and ethical shots on Sandhill Cranes requires consideration of many factors – anatomy, angles, ranges, equipment, and techniques all play a role. By studying crane biology, preparing your shotgun and ammo, and practicing on the shooting clays, you can become proficient at cleanly taking these majestic birds. Mastering sound shooting fundamentals along with the proper mindset of prioritizing game retrieval will lead to an enjoyable and successful Sandhill Crane hunt resulting in sustainable harvest of these fascinating migratory game birds.
