Boneless, skinless, sand hill crane breasts

[dubob]

How would you cook or have you cooked it on your pellet grill? I brought home breasts from 8 birds bagged in Texas a couple weeks ago and would like to start with a smoked cook. The one after this will be a sous vide cook. Any of you Texas BBQ Masters have any advice?

 

[SmokinAl]

Holy cow!
I thought Sand hill cranes were a federally protected species. They are for sure in Florida & I think they are all across the country. They do have some fine breasts on them, but no legs! Are they legal to hunt in Utah?
Al

 

[dubob]

Holy cow!
I thought Sand hill cranes were a federally protected species. They are for sure in Florida & I think they are all across the country. They do have some fine breasts on them, but no legs! Are they legal to hunt in Utah?
Al

Sandhill Cranes may be legally hunted in Alaska, Arizona, and Utah, as well as in 9 of the 10 states in the Central Flyway, a migration route that runs from the arctic to the Gulf of Mexico. Nebraska is the only state in the Central Flyway that does not allow crane hunting.

Utah limit is 1 per season (with a drawn permit - very hard to draw) while Texas allows 3 birds a day with a three day possession limit on a general hunting license.

 

[RCAlan]

Hunting Sand Hill Cranes in Texas legally...

https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/regs/animals/sandhill-crane


A Federal Sandhill Crane Hunting Permit is required to hunt Sandhill Cranes, in addition to a valid Texas hunting license, Texas Migratory Game Bird Endorsement, and HIP Certification.

As far as wood to use for smoking, perhaps a mixture of Pecan and Maple... Good luck.

Pellet Pro Austin XL and a few more mods... in SoCal and Always... Semper Fi

 

[Slow42]

Holy cow!
I thought Sand hill cranes were a federally protected species. They are for sure in Florida & I think they are all across the country. They do have some fine breasts on them, but no legs! Are they legal to hunt in Utah?
Al

AL you are correct!
Some species of birds that associate with Sandhill Cranes (e.g., waterfowl) can be hunted legally in some areas. ... Only 58 of these have been designated as game species for which hunting seasons can be established. The rest have no sport hunting seasons and are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

 

[dubob]

A Federal Sandhill Crane Hunting Permit is required to hunt Sandhill Cranes, in addition to a valid Texas hunting license, Texas Migratory Game Bird Endorsement, and HIP Certification.

I have the Texas Super Combo license that covers all that and more. Going back in April for a turkey hunt and more wild pigs.

 

[whtelk]

I am a very avid waterfowl hunter and have been for 45 plus years, have always wanted to hunt sandhill cranes..... heard they are flying steaks! We call them shypokes here in Oregon.

 

[Winterrider]

We use to have 1 of the main flyways up through central ND. Have not hunted them for many years. Was one of my dad's and uncles favorite hunting seasons before their passing.

 

[dubob]

Decided to keep it simple. Washed the breasts to rid them of any blood from the packaging (vacuum packed). Dried them with paper towels. Coated then with EVOO and Heaven Made Texas Best Beef Rub. Set pellet grill to low smoke (160*F) and inserted a temp probe in each breast. I pulled them when the IT hit 125*F; wrapped in foil and a towel; rested for 90 minutes.

Here they are with EVOO & rub; ready for the grill:

This is the rub I used:

Here is the finished product ready for the table - perfect medium rare, very moist, very tender, and delicious:

Sorry, there aren't any leftovers for y'all to try. Maybe next time - NOT!

 

[SmokinAl]

Gosh those look good!!
I'd love to try some!
Al

 

[whtelk]

Mmmm