jasper-pulaski fish and wildlife area

We decided to view the cranes and didn't go until late Nov. Traveling on Ind. 10 from the west we started seeing cranes 10 miles away from the park. The farm fields were loaded with them.We arrived at the park and on the viewing platform around 3:30 PM. The field to the west had 4 herds of deer numbering around 60. Right around 4 PM the cranes started moving from every direction heading mainly towards the west of the platform. The estimated numbers from the DNR were 10 to 12,000. It truly was amazing to see the sky full of cranes. They were still moving well after sunset. John T. was right on about photographing the birds. With them moving towards the west they were flying towards the sunset.

Photographing at the observation tower is better in the morning because of the sun being behind you, but it helps if the people on the tower are quiet - which they weren't for our visit! Better yet was driving in the area prior to sunset to find the birds in the fields feeding! VERY limited for places to eat nearby or stay if you wanted to catch the early morning viewing (maybe up in Valparaiso?)

We had driven by this State Fish and Wildlife Area for years. This year we decided to explore this area for mushrooms in the spring. No luck in the mushroom department, however we found a hidden gem of a property. During our exploration we found a couple of great quiet and secluded places to picnic (which we utilized for just an amazing afternoon). While on our quest for mushrooms we happened upon the stand built for the observation of Sandhill Cranes. It did not look like much in late April, just a mowed field of many acres of grasslands. Still in April we observed a few cranes, wild turkey and deer. After getting home we researched this and found that mid-November is the time to observe the migration of thousands of cranes. So we decided to go back on November 15th. Mid November is the time to go for sure...us and couple hundred others made the pilgrimage to the observation area. It is best to go late afternoon/early evening right before dark. At that time thousands of cranes just soar into this area. You look up in the sky and watch them come in together in a study stream of V formations of 10 - 100 birds at a time. They came down a midst a large grouping of deer. It was a sight well worth the visit. People watching is also something that was interesting to us. We came unprepared, others had the long scopes, binoculars and high powered zoom lenses all lined up along the observation area. There were three bus loads of people there at the time we were, plus a plethora of cars steadily coming and going. We highly recommend this place for a free and must see to believe experience. It is hard to believe that this phenomenon is not better publicized, but it is probably better for the conservation of the area if it is limited. But now that you have read about it put it on your to do list for mid-November!One other tip for those who have experienced those elementary school science projects of collecting leaves. This place has a tree farm that has well over twenty documented tree types. So that would make the leaf collection process easy and fun.

It has become a family tradition now to come every fall and see the the wonderful sand hill cranes. even though I have seen them before it is still exciting to see them again. they have now built a nice wooden deck to view then and is also has a ramp too, but remember to bring a flashlight for the short trail back to the parking lot because the best viewing is just before dark, so it will probably be dark when you go back to the car. usually you will also see many deer alsosharing the space with the sand hill cranes who don't seem to mind.

We visited Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area yesterday to see the sandhill cranes as they migrate south for the winter. It's something I've wanted to do for many years. I definitely recommend this outing for anyone who is interested in nature and the environment. The posters along the trail are educational for kids and adults. Permanently-mounted telescopes on the viewing tower make bird watching easy. The only negative is the attitude of the DNR employees when visitors are asking for directions. It was as if we were bothering them as the three of them sat back doing nothing.

Got there about 45 minutes before sunset. Few small groups of birds flying in at first but about 30 minutes before sunset they increased in number of groups and size of groups. Quite a sight and sound to see them all coming in from the distance over the trees. Only went on for another 15 minutes but well worth the visit.

Very nice views for cranes, good hunting and fishing, although all of their playgrounds are now closed.

This made for a delightful day trip from suburban Chicago. We joined several others on the viewing platform about an hour before sunset, and feasted on the sounds and sights of small and large groupings flying in and landing in a large field. Binoculars are recommended, though the DNR has provided 2-3 permanent telescopes on the platform. All along the path one walks from the parking lot to the viewing platform is a series of trivia questions about sandhill cranes, and the answers are at the end of the path, posted on a kiosk with additional information. Two very clean port-a-potties are there, too. You can either climb stairs or walk up a ramp, making this an accessible destination for wheelchairs, strollers, or others with limited mobility.

The Greater Sandhill Crane Migration in Indiana is something all bird lovers will never forget. The beauty of them in flight, the dancing and the sounds of their calls are something that touched my soul in a way I can't explain. Come for the gathering of upwards to 10,000 4 foot tall , silver grey, red cap on their heads and 7 foot wing span birds socializing and dancing is like a dream. Great platform for viewing, handicap accessible beautiful surroundings and free. You can't beat it, nature at it's best.

We heard that thousands of sandhill cranes migrated here. We have always wanted to see this. They are there at sunrise and sunset. We were not there at sunrise. We arrived about 1:30 pm and there were about 70 or so of them in the field. They were pretty close to us so we were able to see their dance. It was pretty amazing. We were disappointed because they all flew away after about one hour. We stuck around because we heard about sunset. About 4;30 pm they started to arrive. It was amazing, unbelievable. They came flying from every direction. This lasted about one hour. It was absolutely amazing. You heard them talking so loud. We have only seen them before flying very high over our house and still heard them pretty loud. It was so cool to hear them from that close. I would estimate that there were about 6000 of them. It was one of the most amazing sights I have ever seen. Definitely worth going to see!!!! if you are a nature/bird lover you need to see this. Only disappointment was that we wish they were closer to us. I would have loved some close up pictures of the beautiful sandhill cranes. Still we can't wait to go back again to see these beautiful birds!!

We read about the migratory cycle of birds but do we ever really get to see it in action, right before our eyes?? Well, every year the opportunity lies within our reach, just a short drive from our homes....the cyclic event of the migration of the Sandhill Cranes. Beautiful, large and majestic birds that flock together to make their yearly track from their summer breeding grounds to the north and fly to the their over wintering grounds of Florida to the far south. That path just happens to lead them through Indiana and the stopping off to rest and fuel up here at Jasper-Pulaski Wildlife Refuge.From mid October to mid December huge groups of adult and this seasons young cranes funnel through the woods, fields and meadows that are in and around this Refuge. In the tens of thousands they circle, fly and call to one another.Nicely located is a viewing platform for the public where you can really get a "birds eye view" of the coming and goings of the Cranes in a beautiful meadow.Its well worth the trip to see this extraordinary event take place. You will be amazed.Tip: If you want to see the largest concentration of birds make sure to go in mid-November and visit either at dawn, or just before dusk. You will also see many deer dispersed around the meadow near the viewing tower also.You can check the concentration of birds there at any given time by checking at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources website for the bird count. And don't forget your camera. Its a great educational tool for young children as well as the whole family also.

At dawn or dusk , the migrating birds put on a magnificent show!Thousands arrive in the wetlands and proceed to do their dance, chat up their day and just amaze. This is one if their favorite stopping off spots making the visit worthwhile .

If you are content with an out-of-the way peaceful quiet place and love nature then you will enjoy the viewing of the Sand Hill Cranes. Our trip was perfect and just what we expected and more. We arrived early on a Saturday since it was our first time here to familiarize ourselves with the area. We drove the perimeter of the Wildlife area. It was hunting season so a far amount of trucks were parked in the various parking lots. I was thinking when we settled into the observation area that the sound of gunshots may be heard but that was not the case, even though there was a shooting range down the road with a lot of target practice going on we could not hear it from the area of Crane observation. I was happy to see that there were several port-o-potty's near the hanicap parking lot which was perfect access from the observation deck. We choose to stay in the parking lot and observe from the fence line. The Cranes were perfectly entertaining and we counted about 40+ deer hanging out in the background. Heard reports of coyote sightings but unfortunately we did not see one. Great Place!

In my opinion, there is one reason to make the trip to this rather out of the way attraction and that's to see the sandhill cranes in stop over on their migration. We estimated that there were about 2,000 cranes in residence on the days we were there. The best times to visit are an hour before sunset and an hour after sunrise. We went both times and the experience is different, so both are recommended. There are, however, not a lot of lodging choices close by, so be prepared to drive a few miles to find a place to stay over.

Nice peaceful place to observe nature, also was able to take some great pics