Migratory bird violations are most frequently prosecuted in federal court.
A violation of the federal endangered species act (as this case) would have
to be prosecuted there (the press release says US attorney), although it is
likely also a violation of Kansas law.  Generally federal penalties are more
severe.  I would not waste your time contacting the Kansas Attorney General,
unless you want some form response from some bureaucrat (like me).  

I would be confident that federal (and state) law enforcement agencies are
investigating this case and on the basis of that investigation the Attorney
General will make an appropriate decision as to criminal charges.  Decisions
whether or not to prosecute people for violations of federal law are
(hopefully) not based on letter-writing campaigns, but on the facts of the
case and the applicable law.  As someone greatly involved in wildlife
management in Maryland, and all the legal issues that this entails, I am
sure this is being taken very seriously, as it would be in any state.

Sandhill Crane hunting has been legal for probably about close to 20 years
in most of the western states.

Mark Hoffman
Associate Director, Administration
Wildlife and Heritage Service


-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Denise Ryan
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 3:59 PM
To: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Endangered Cranes Shot - not in MD

Office of Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline
120 SW 10th Ave
Topeka, KS 66612 
Phone: 785-296-2215
Consumer Protection: 800-432-2310
Crime Victims' Rights: 800-828-9745

A concerted letter writing campaign or a call couldn't hurt.  
I'm sure there are many other ways to approach this as well.  A common sense
practice of asking the local licensing authority to provide a palm card
guide with the local endangered species pictures when issuing a license
might help.  I personally sent a note to a staffer with Rep. Dennis Moore
(D-KS).  Rep. Moore also happens to be an LCV Environmental Champion with a
current score of 95 out of 100.  I hope he can help put some pressure on the
Attorney General as well.

Denise Ryan
Washington, DC

-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Peter & Patricia Howell
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 3:33 PM
To: 
Subject: Re: [MDOSPREY] Endangered Cranes Shot - not in MD


What can a concerted group of birders (all of us @ MDOSPREY) do to put
pressure on the Attorney General's office to prosecute to the fullest
extent of the law?  Please provide me with any helpful additional
information. I am willing to "stick my neck out" to make a statement
(excuse the pun!).

Patricia K Howell
Laurel, MD

________________________________________________________________________
_________ 

-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Denise Ryan
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 12:49 PM
To: 
Subject: [MDOSPREY] Endangered Cranes Shot - not in MD


 Who knew there was Crane hunting?!  
 
Kansas hunters shoot endangered cranes
Thursday, November 11, 2004 Posted: 9:44 AM EST (1444 GMT) 

WICHITA, Kansas (AP) -- Two of the world's roughly 500 whooping cranes
were shot by a group of hunters who said they mistook the endangered
birds for sandhill cranes, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent said.

Farmers found the injured cranes Saturday near the Quivira National
Wildlife Refuge in south-central Kansas. One crane died Wednesday; the
other is still recovering.

Charges have not been filed against the seven hunters, and authorities
won't release their names until the U.S. Attorney's office reviews the
case, said wildlife agent Kenny Kessler.

Killing a whooping crane could lead to a sentence of up to a one year in
prison and a $100,000 fine.

The hunters said they thought the birds were sandhills when they opened
fire on the first day of goose and sandhill crane season. They said they
believed the birds would survive after watching them fly off.

The cranes were part of a flock of about 230 that migrates from Canada's
Wood Buffalo National Park to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on
the Texas Gulf Coast each winter.
 

Denise Ryan
Washington, DC