SHAWANO COUNTY (WLUK) -- A proposal to allow a hunting season for sandhill cranes is working its way through the State Legislature.

Supporters say the bill in an effective way to manage the crane population, while those against say hunting isn't the answer.

In a field in southern Shawano County, sandhill cranes are coming in for a group landing. The slate-gray colored birds have a wingspan of about six feet and can stand tower four feet in the air. The birds are staging in the area as part of their fall migration. Experts say the North American population which migrates along the Mississippi River is estimated to be about 90,000, which is three times the number 20 years ago. But the cranes can harm crops. In the spring the birds comb fields picking out freshly-planted corn. State agriculture numbers indicate damage can range from 20-60 percent. A bill heading to a State Assembly committee would not only establish a hunting season for sandhills, but allow compensation for farmers too.

"It's more than just farmers, it definitely is. And it's not whether we're shooting a beautiful animal or not. It's about game management," said State Rep. Paul Tittl, R-Manitowoc.

Tittl is one of the bill's sponsors. He says the Department of Natural Resources would set up the season.

"We're not putting anything specific in there. We're giving the DNR a lot of freedom in order to regulate, and put this hunt forth.

But not everyone is on board with the idea.

"Hunting season in the fall is not going to take care of the crop damage in the spring," said Pat Fisher, The Feather Wildlife Rehab-Education Center.

Fisher says a corn kernel coated with a chemical is an available deterrent, but expensive.

"Those farmers need help. They need financial assistance. I'm all for the farmers. They're the guys that put food on our table. We just don't have to kill everything to balance everything out," she said.

Fisher says people need to contact their legislators.

"You don't have to say a lot. You just have to say no, but keep saying no," she said.

Meanwhile, the bill is working its way through the Assembly. Paul Tittl is confident the bill will pass.

"I really believe and hope that the governor will sign this, because it's just a common sense legislation," he said.

If the bill passes, legislators say it could be at least two years before any hunting takes place in Wisconsin.