Now that Utah hunters have the go-ahead to shoot crows later this year, will they also eat the birds as the rules require? Wildlife enthusiasts failed Tuesday to block the hunt and many find it hard to believe hunters will dine on crow, The Associated Press reports. "This is the worst kind of wanton waste of wildlife and it's against the principles of ethical hunting," said Sharon St. Joan of Kanab.
Utah approved plans last month to hold its first ever crow hunt, as authorities try to contain a population that state wildlife officials say has tripled in 12 years. On Tuesday a state wildlife board voted 3-2 to allow the hunt in September and again between Dec. 1 and Feb. 28 each year. Sport hunters can kill up to 10 birds a day, and farmers and ranchers will be able to kill birds that cause crop damage. Aside from the eating rule, opponents have fretted over whether hunters will be able to distinguish the black birds from other dark fowl, particularly ravens, a protected species.
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