Sandhill Cranes. Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area

Sandhill Cranes. Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area

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Indiana Tourism. Sandhill Cranes_Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area


  • Sandhill Cranes During Their Fall

  •  Migration.

    Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area

    Information on this page is courtesy of our Indiana DNR. We do thank them for allowing us to share it with you.

    As summer starts to fade away into fall, the hummingbirds have started migrations south, and many other species of birds are on the move.

    One of the most spectacular events of all are the Sandhill cranes. They can be expected to start arriving at the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area almost any day now.

  • Below is some information about these birds compiled by IDNR.

  • Description
  • Activities
  • Rules
  • Maps
  • Gallery

DESCRIPTION

Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area is dedicated to providing quality hunting and fishing opportunities while maintaining 8,062 acres of wetland, upland and woodland game habitat. Jasper-Pulaski’s suitable habitat provides an ideal stopover for migratory birds. More than 10,000 sandhill cranes stop during fall migration.

Acquisition of the land for Jasper-Pulaski began in 1929. During the 1930s, Jasper-Pulaski was designated as a game farm and game preserve. Hunting began at the property in 1958, and in 1965, the area was designated as a fish and game area. Then in 1972 the name was changed to fish and wildlife area.

Most revenues used in land acquisition, development, operation and maintenance of Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area are derived from the sale of hunting, fishing and trapping licenses. Funds are also received from the federal Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson programs to aid fish and wildlife restoration. These funds are derived from taxes levied on sport hunting and fishing equipment. Indiana hunters, anglers and trappers are proud to provide this property for the enjoyment of all people.

Sandhill Cranes During Their Fall Migration.

Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area

See one of Indiana's greatest wildlife spectacles at Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area. Each fall, tens of thousands of sandhill cranes visit J-P's shallow marshes.

 

 

 

Best days
Greater sandhill cranes can be seen at J-P from late September through December. Crane numbers peak in mid-November.

Best bet -- magnificent, noisy flocks are usually seen at the northern Indiana property from mid-October through mid-December.

Best times
Sunrise - Gigantic flocks rise and fly out of roosting marshes to Goose Pasture. The cranes socialize in the pasture for awhile before flying out to feed in area fields and swamps.

Sunset - Beginning about one hour before sunset, flocks of cranes kite into Goose Pasture from all directions. They gab and socialize again before returning to roosting marshes at dusk.

Best place
The crane spectacle is best seen at the Goose Pasture Viewing Area (see map). Resting marshes are closed to the public. During the day, cranes are often spotted feeding and dancing in nearby harvested farm fields.

Sandhill Crane Count

Sandhill Crane Count
12/27/2011:   We estimate 8000 cranes still using Jasper-Pulaski.  As in previous weeks, there cranes also using other areas, particularly the nearby electric generating station.

Previous Counts:
12/20/11:  8,634
12/13/11:  12,685
12/06/11:  11,143
11/29/11:  10,640
11/22/11:  9,006
11/16/11:  7,923
11/08/11:  7,862
11/01/11:  7,762
10/25/11:  6,607
10/18/11:  8,168
10/11/11:  6,662
10/05/11:  6,090

This  will be the last up-date for the Sandhill cranes of the season. DNR may continue to post them, so you might want to check there for newer up-dates.