Comment on FR Doc # 2011-18374

I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed season on Sandhill Cranes in Kentucky scheduled to become effective December 2011. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) has rushed this plan through without proper public comments and consideration of societal values and the high viewing value of these birds. They have not done adequate population studies or modeling to ensure the population can sustain a hunt. The overarching goal of the Flyway Council's management plan is "To manage the Eastern Population (EP) of Sandhill Cranes in the Mississippi and Atlantic Flyways at a sustainable population level that is consistent with habitat conditions and societal values." The social discussion, assessment and consideration of societal values, and resolution of conflicts between consumptive and non-consumptive uses for these birds have specifically been delegated to the states by the Flyway Council's plan. The KDFWR has done absolutely no outreach to solicit public input nor has it given any consideration to the comments it has received. Instead the department has presented any and all opposition to hunting cranes as anti-hunting in general and anti-gun. In addition, the department has not put any comparable resources toward accomplishing the other objectives outlined in the plan. They have only focused on hunting. I also have concerns about the population figures used in the KDFWR plan and the sustainability of the Eastern Population if a hunt is implemented. Please see comments from International Crane Foundation scientist Jeb Barzun on this topic. His comments can be found at http://kyc4sandhillcranes.wordpress.com/kyfws-and-usfws-documents/. I ask that you deny approval of the Kentucky hunt plan until a more balanced approach to managing the Eastern Population of these birds is developed. Thank you for considering my comments.