let's consider an alternative -- like the birders who insist on playing 
tapes to glimpse endangered species during breeding season, these guys 
are just real selfish, rather than real stupid.  jck

Les Roslund wrote:

>How absolutely outrageous that anyone with a gun in hand would not be able
>to recognize the difference between a Whooping Crane and a Sandhill Crane!
>I would bet those hunters were not even aware of the existence of Whooping
>Cranes (what does that say about hunter education?).  Sure - Sandhill Cranes
>and Whooping Cranes look pretty much alike - both species have long legs and
>feathers.  How could the poor hunters be expected to notice that the birds
>being aimed at were white instead of grey, and had bold black wing tips
>instead of grey.  Amazing!
>	As a native Nebraskan, I have seen both species - separately, and
>together.  In either case the great-sized white Whooping Cranes stand out
>prominently and provide a truly marvelous sight. Perhaps legally blind
>hunters are issued licenses in Kansas.
>	I hope we eventually hear what the outcome of this case turns out to
>be -- regarding the lives of the cranes -- and regarding the penalties, if
>any, for the hunters.  
>
>Les Roslund
>
>Talbot County
>Easton MD 21601
>
>  
>