Be Sure Before You Shoot - Distinguishing Geese and Sandhill Cranes from Whooping Cranes Video Lecture | Hunter Education: Becoming an Expert Hunter - Hobbies

(Music, geese honking)
[Narrator]
Water fowl hunting is an exciting and challenging
sport. Both waterfowl and crane hunters are
avid sportsmen with strong conservations ethics
and good wild life identification skills.
These hunters face extra challenges in the
central flyway. Here are several species of
nongame birds, including endangered whooping
cranes�share habitats with geese and sandhill
cranes.
[Glenn Ging � Hunting Guide]
We get, of course, snow geese, rossiis, speckle
bellies, Canada geese, sandhill cranes, and
then all sorts of ducks.
[Justin Hurst � Texas Parks and Wildlife]
It�s a good idea for the hunters to get
out in the field before they go hunting and
learn what other species are out there as
well, and learn the different species of geese
that they�ll be hunting.
[Narrator]
Even the most experienced hunter sometimes
faces challenges in identifying fast flying
birds, especially in fog or in poor light.
[Butch Witcher � Hunting Guide]
Early one morning, we had several groups of
young rossiis work us. And they we�re flying
about six feet off the ground, coming in real
low and fast. And, you know, I was calling
the shot and we killed a few of them. And
a group of ibis came in. And actually I called
the shot on them but I took it back as soon
as I said the words.
[Narrator]
This video presents a series of short quizzes
to help you, the hunter, improve your identification
skills and make the right decision when determining
whether you should shoot or don�t shoot.
(Music and gunshots)
[Butch Witcher � Hunting Guide]
Geese are real vocal. They talk pretty much
all the time. If you can hear them, you know,
snow geese�they honk. And Canadas cluck
and specks yodel and rossiis chirp. You know,
you just listen for the birds.
(Geese vocalizing)
[Narrator]
This first quiz includes some snow and blue
geese as well as several other species of
white birds that are similar to snow geese
in size and flock formation. As each clip
appears, you make the call.
(Music and gunshots)
A. (Honk)
B. (Harsh, nasal "urnk, urnk")
C. (Quiet, throaty "rick-rack")
D. (Silent)
E. (Harsh, nasal "urnk, urnk")
(Music and gunshots)
[Narrator]
As these snow geese approach, you can clearly
see the black wing tips, short legs, and compact
body that help you to identify this popular
game bird. Their profile can be described
as chunky and pear like.
(Music and gunshots)
[Narrator]
White ibis are common birds in the hunting
field. But don�t let the white color and
black wingtips fool you.
(Music)
[Narrator]
Cattle egrets often fly in tight flocks and,
approaching from the side, can fool you. They
don�t have black wing tips, however. And
their wing beat is slower than that of snow
geese.
(Honking)
[Narrator]
Even when poor light doesn�t allow you to
see the colors clearly, you can use other
features such as the calls of geese and their
steady, quick wing beats to identify them.
(Honking, gunshots)
[Narrator]
Again, it�s a flock of light and dark birds.
However ibis fly with a flap and glide patter,
often in a long line that undulates.
[Music, honking]
[Narrator]
The second quiz includes additional white
birds that might be confused with snow geese.
While several of these species are much bigger,
note that similar color patterns could make
a hasty shooting decision be a wrong shooting
decision.
(Music, gunshots, honking)
A. (Music)
B. (Music; hollow, nasal honking)
C. (Honking)
D. (Silent)
E. (Silent)
F. (Music)
[Narrator]
Wood storks may be seen early in the hunting
season. They are white with black wing tips.
But they are much bigger than snow geese.
They also have a heavy build, extensive black
on the head and wings and trailing legs. They
look nose heavy in profile.
(Music)
[Narrator]
Swans occasionally occur in snow goose habitat.
But they are much bigger, lack black on the
wings, and have a different call. Their wing
beat is slower than geese. And they tend to
fly in singles, pairs or in very small groups.
They are teardrop sleek in profile.
(Music, honking)
[Narrator]
If you know your birdcalls, then you can make
the correct shot on these snow geese. Just
make sure you have enough visibility to detect
any larger, non-game species that might be
mixed in.
(Gunshots)
[Narrator]
Sometimes white pelicans are found up high
in large flocks. Watch for the circling, soaring
flight. In profile, this bird is very chunky
looking with extra black on the wings, a folded
neck and, of course, a long beak.
[Narrator]
Great egrets are usually found as singles
or in small groups. Watch for the folded neck
in flight, lack of black wingtips, trailing
legs and slow wing beat. In profile, think
of them as a gangly dart.
[Narrator]
The endangered whooping crane is another white
water bird with black wing tips. But they
are much longer and have long trailing legs.
Watch for the strong, steady wing beat and
the larger size. These birds, long and graceful
in profile, usually are found in very small
groups but sometime fly and share habitats
with geese and other cranes.
(Music, honk from hunter�s goose call)
[Narrator]
In addition to white birds, there are several
dark non-game birds that might be confused
with dark geese. In quiz number three, you
decide whether you�re seeing a blue goose,
Canada goose, white-fronted speckle bellied
goose or some other species that might not
be so desirable in your bag.
(Music, gunshots)
A. (Kee-eee whistle)
B. (Cur-lee, kli-li-li-li-li whistle)
C. (Honking)
D. (Guttural, oinking grunt)
E. (Silent)
(Honking)
[Narrator]
Many birds of prey are often found near water
fowl concentrations. Watch for the gliding,
hovering flight, the very short neck and longer
tail to pick out hawks and falcons.
(Curlee, kli-li-li-li-li whistle)
[Narrator]
The long-billed curlew is a dark shore bird
found in wetland habitats.
(Honking)
[Narrator]
Once again, pear shaped in profile with short
legs, the overall dark body coloration and
the voice of the Canada goose can help you
identify it.
(Gunshots)
[Narrator]
The goose sized cormorant is a fish eating
bird. Watch for the slightly heavier head
and build, solid dark coloration and somewhat
slower flight speed.
(Honking)
[Narrator]
White-fronted geese are slightly lighter in
color than Canada geese and are often mixed
in with snow geese flocks. If you can glimpse
those bright orange feet, then you can make
a positive I.D.
(Music, gunshots)
(Music; deep, rolling trumpet and rattling
calls of birds)
[Narrator]
Finally, you get to go crane hunting�sandhill
crane hunting, that is. In quiz number four,
you�ll see some species that might appear
similar to sandhill cranes.
(Music, gunshots)
A. (Music)
B. (Rattling calls of birds)
C. (Silent)
(Music)
[Narrator]
Great blue herons, like great egrets, have
a folded neck in flight, trailing legs and
slow wing beat. They�re usually found alone
or in groups of less than ten. Their profile
can be described as a gangly, dark dart.
(Rattling calls of birds)
[Narrator]
In contrast to the herons, sandhill cranes
have a strong, steady wing beat, dark wing
tips and a purring, rattle-like call. They
are rarely solitary, occurring mostly in large
flocks of ten or more. Their profile is like
that of a sleek arrow.
(Gunshots)
[Narrator]
Two other herons, the tricolored and little
blue, are found in wetland habitats. But like
the great blue heron, they fly alone or in
small groups with a slower, more erratic wing
beat.
(Music, rattling calls of birds)
[Narrator]
Crane hunters have a special responsibility
to make sure the light and sky conditions
allow them to differentiate between sandhill
cranes and the endangered whooping crane.
Let�s take a look and see how quick decisions
can be difficult.
(Gunshots, music)
A � E (Music)
(Music)
[Narrator]
Don�t count on silhouettes when crane hunting.
Sandhill cranes and whooping cranes are similar
in size and profile, and even in voice.
(Crane rattling call)
[Narrator]
Make sure there�s enough light to see whether
the crane is white like these whooping cranes
or gray with dark wing tips like the sandhill
crane.
(Crane rattling calls)
[Narrator]
Sandhill crane or whooping crane? Only good
light and conservative shot distances will
allow you to make safe choices.
(Gunshots)
(Strong, high crane call)
[Narrator]
Whooping cranes calls are somewhat stronger
and higher than sandhill cranes. But it�s
best to hold that shot in poor light.
(Crane rattling calls)
[Narrator]
These sandhill cranes look light colored until
seen at closer range. It�s better to be
safe than sorry when making a shooting decision.
(Gunshots)
(Airplane drone sound)
[Narrator]
Frequently whooping cranes, especially whooper
chicks that have been separated from their
parents, may fly with sandhill cranes.
[Narrator]
The rusty brown whooper chicks may not appear
very distinct from the gray sandhill cranes
in poor light.
(Music)
[Narrator]
The issue of whooping crane protection is
very important for both goose and crane hunters
in the central flyway. Whoopers often migrate
with sandhills and may sometimes fly among
geese. So hunters must be sure before they
shoot.
(Music, honks from hunters� goose calls)
[Narrator]
There is much that individual crane and goose
hunters can do to ensure conservation of both
our game and non-game treasures.
(Music, hunter�s goose call)
[Narrator]
Before heading out, review identification
tips in the waterfowl hunting digest. Or take
a few minutes to review this video.
(Music, honking)
[Narrator]
In the field, continue to study sizes, shapes,
behaviors and flight patterns.
(Music)
[Narrator]
Careful, critical thinking based upon two
or more criteria will reduce the risk of calling
the wrong shot.
(Music, gunshots)
(Hunter�s goose call)
[Hunter]
Take him! Take him now. Take him. Get out
in front of him.
(Gunshots)
[Hunter]
That was a good shot! Good shot.
(Laughing)
[Butch Witcher � Hunting Guide]
If you have doubt, let �em go.
[Glenn Ging � Hunting Guide]
I there�s any doubt at all, just hold off
and just wait.
[Robert Korenek]
When you�re in doubt, just sit back and
watch the bird. Work the spread or work your
decoys and enjoy the hunt.
(Music)
[Narrator]
With proper knowledge and care in the field,
water fowl and crane hunters can continue
to boast that they have played their part
to conserve all migratory birds for generations
to come.
(Music)
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Be Sure Before You Shoot - Distinguishing
Geese and Sandhill Cranes Captioned Script