Upper Peninsula crow hunters will have an additional two months of hunting opportunity as the Natural Resources Commission approved an expanded statewide crow season at its May 7 meeting in Detroit.

Crow season traditionally has run Aug. 1-Sept. 30 statewide with an additional Feb. 1-March 31 season in the Lower Peninsula. The crow season was closed in the U.P. in February and March to protect ravens.

Recent data submitted by the Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas, however, reveal that ravens can be found breeding in the Northern Lower Peninsula as well. Many states with raven populations allow crow hunting during time frames when ravens are present.

The change is not expected to significantly impact the state's crow population. Estimates of crow hunters range from 13,379 to 19,021 during 2004-2007. The change will allow additional hunting opportunity during a period when few other seasons are open.