1st Crane 09

[Bob Addy]

Got the benelli M2 12 out and headed for the fields this evening. It didn't take long to dump these two young birds with some Black Cloud #3's. I didn't even bother getting the deeks out. Just hid in some weeds and went to blasting. Nothing like the sound of a crane hitting the ground,,,,,THUMP!

 

[Grandpa Fudge]

thats cool!! allways wanted to try hunting those.. how big and how do they taste?? how far was the shots?? not a 28 ga. bird??lol good going! grandpa fudge

 

[Bob Addy]

I know some hunters using .410's on them,,,, but only when shooting over deeks. I blasted one high flier this evening that I led around 12 feet with the 12ga and he had a head wind. They can be some tough birds. A big mature bird will weigh around 8-9 lbs. Their chest feathers act almost like a kevlar vest. We've found our shot balled up in their feathers that never penetrated. I found some 20ga Black Cloud that I will try soon.
They are pretty tasty and make some of the best jerky you will ever eat. That is about all we do with the now. It is a big production when O'brian and I start making it.

 

[emtpredator]

see these all the time here in ky never knew anyone hunted them. guess u learn something everyday

 

[Grandpa Fudge]

saw a bunch of cranes this week so. of blythe!! they sure sound funny. would like to hunt them sone time..