Here comes ribeye of the sky; Sandhill crane season opens today

  • HOPED-FOR PRIZES--At first light, if luck is right, and questing hunters are well hidden, trilling sandhill cranes may come, low and back-flapping into the decoys with feet down. (Photo by Jim Steiert)
    HOPED-FOR PRIZES--At first light, if luck is right, and questing hunters are well hidden, trilling sandhill cranes may come, low and back-flapping into the decoys with feet down. (Photo by Jim Steiert)
  • A KIND MENTOR--The author learned some lessons in questing after and bagging sandhill cranes from a kind mentor, the late Royce Teaff of Bula, who put his classic folk art sandhill cranes to work to good effect in fields he had scouted. (Photo by Jim Steiert)
    A KIND MENTOR--The author learned some lessons in questing after and bagging sandhill cranes from a kind mentor, the late Royce Teaff of Bula, who put his classic folk art sandhill cranes to work to good effect in fields he had scouted. (Photo by Jim Steiert)

    Another sandhill crane season is upon us, set in motion today, October 25. The allotted days spread before us through January 25 of 2026, marking a time dedicated to seeking a fellowship with these prehistoric-looking and sounding fowl.

    “Despite the extensive drying over the last couple of months after the good rainfall summer, I still expect a very good sandhill crane season in the Panhandle,” pre…