Waterfowlers have their own dreams; some of bagging each of the North American goose species, or getting a European widgeon that missed a turn during its Asian/African migration. But in Alaska, a Sandhill crane could be considered our waterfowlers ultimate trophy. Pictured here are Steve Tanner of Nikiski and Wayne Mize of Sterling posing with the results of an opening day duck/goose/crane hunt in the Cook Inlet area.

Sandhill cranes (not to be mistaken with Whooping Cranes) are quite abundant in Alaska. In fact, 80% of all sandhills in North America come to Alaska each summer to breed and fatten up before making the journey back to the Texas Gulf coast and Mexico for winter. Numbers may exceed 100,000 birds and many Lower 48 states also have open seasons for them. Most hunters consider these birds the finest table fare of all the waterfowl. Birds weigh as much as ten pounds and contain light and dark meat with a very mild flavor. Some have said its similar to wild turkeys that have been eating acorns.

Their wariness and keen eye sight make them very difficult to hunt and most Alaska waterfowlers will eventually hang up their guns without every bagging one in their lifetime. But Alaska provides some excellent hunting areas in the interior of the state if you know where to go and which hunting tactics work best. The major fall flight occurs around September 12-15 as birds gather and stage in the Fairbanks and Delta Junction areas before following the Copper River to their final Alaska stop on the Copper River delta. Its a sight to behold when tens of thousands of birds begin gathering altitude riding the afternoon thermals and then "line out" at several thousand feet where the wind is blowing in the direction they want to head. Using this tactic, they can soar and glide hundreds of miles without hardly flapping their wings the whole trip.