I think it's fair if the food has a chance to fight back.Yes sandhill, Dad and I were hunt them (legal up here in season with proper tags) and we went into a marsh to retrieve one he had shot and another one came out of the cattails charging us. Dad broke it's neck by swinging his gun at it. Game and fish also "HIGHLY RECOMEND" you do not use dogs when Sandhill Crane hunting as they can/have/will kill the dog or peck an eye out. Sharp nasty beaks they have and attitude as well.
