Comment on FR Doc # 2012-11941

The Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition wishes to express its strong opposition to the Flyway Council’s recommendation to establish a new hunting area in Northwest Colorado for RMP Sandhill Cranes. We oppose crane hunting based on the following information. Attached please find a formal letter of comment from the Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition. In summary, given the lack of science, the lack of reliable numbers, and the lack of public support for a hunt, the Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition urges the USFWS to reject the recommendation from the Flyway Councils that would expand hunting of the RMP of Greater Sandhill Cranes to Northwest Colorado. In addition, given the overall downward trend of the RMP Greater Sandhill Cranes throughout their range, we urge the USFWS to also reject the recommendations for expansion of the hunt in Arizona and for a new hunt area in Idaho.