MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Members of the public will have a chance to share their opinions about a sandhill crane hunt at the Conservation Congress spring hearings Monday in Madison.

State Representative Joe Kleefisch of Oconomowoc introduced a bill that winter authorizing the hunt.

At the time, he called the cranes the rib-eye of the sky.

Bird lovers fought back, stopping the measure in its tracks. Hunt supporters say the crane population has rebounded and are eating corn seeds and young stalks in the fields.

The fact that Wisconsin is home to the International Crane Foundation has been a factor so far.

Monday’s hearing is only advisory in nature, but approval by the Congress would give state lawmakers a stronger argument when the hunting bill comes up again.