Dove Hunting in Michigan

Read the article carefully, and notice how the author uses the terms "Humane Society of the United States" and "Humane Society" interchangeably. It is truly a miscarriage of journalism to not point out the difference between the two.

Vote YES on 3. Doves are food. Shoot 'em up.


Hunters, Anti-Hunters Duke It Out Over Doves
By Susan Jones
CNSNews.com Senior Editor
October 17, 2006

(CNSNews.com) - A Michigan ballot initiative on dove hunting is pitting hunters against animal "rights" activists -- and people against politicians.

Two years ago, the Michigan Legislature passed a bill allowing dove hunting in the state for the first time in 99 years. But critics accused state lawmakers of bowing to the will of hunters and pro-gun groups. Following a successful petition drive, a referendum on the Nov. 7 ballot will allow voters to say yes or no to dove hunting in the state.

Proposal 3 asks Michigan voters if the 2004 law establishing a hunting season for mourning doves should be approved.

USA Today reported on Oct. 17 that Prop 3 has become one of the most emotionally charged issues in the state, and so it would appear.

On one side is the Humane Society of the United States and its Committee to Keep Doves Protected, which says it has one goal -- to restore Michigan's ban on shooting mourning doves.

"The Committee simply wants to continue Michigan's 100 year tradition of protecting the mourning dove, Michigan's official bird of peace -- nothing more, nothing less. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DOVES!" the group says on its website.

But on the other side is a pro-hunting coalition that says hunters need to know what they are really up against: "You may never be able to hunt or fish in Michigan again," Citizens for Wildlife Conservation warns on its website.

The anti-hunters/dove-defenders argue that there is "no good reason to shoot mourning doves." They argue that doves are not overpopulated; that they are shot for target practice, not for food; and that they are not harmful to humans, property or crops.

Forty game bird species in Michigan may be already hunted, so "there's no reason to add doves," the Committee to Keep Doves Protected insists.

"Mourning doves are by all accounts gentle, harmless birds. They are monogamous creatures who raise their young as a team, a quality that one might expect would garner them praise in these family-focused times," the Humane Society of the United States says on its website.

The group notes that in 1905, Michigan officially designated doves as "songbirds," distinct from game birds, and therefore off limits to hunters. And in 1998, the Michigan House of Representatives named the mourning dove Michigan's state bird of peace.

The Humane Society argues that Michigan's legislature and (Democratic) governor flouted the will of the people (and embraced pro-gun groups) in 2004, when they approved a bill allowing mourning dove hunting in the state.

"Michigan's first mourning dove hunt in 99 years took place in the fall of 2004, when an estimated 3,000 hunters killed over 28,000 birds for little more than the thrill of the kill," the Humane Society complained.

The group now points to polls indicating that the Nov. 7 ballot referendum will make Michigan's dove-hunting law short lived: "HB 5029 did not represent the will of the people. Its passage represented the will of certain hunting group," the Humane Society said.

Animal rights activists accuse Gov. Jennifer Granholm of going back on her word to veto dove hunting legislation.

They argue that there isn't enough meat on the birds to make them necessary for sustenance. They say hunters go after doves just for fun and target practice -- often mistaking protected birds for doves.

And finally, the Humane Society worries about the environmental impact of "all that lead shot left in the field," not to mention the bodies of "unretrieved" doves that later die of their injuries.

"Not willing to sacrifice this bird of peace to the will of hunting and firearms interests, a coalition of local, state, and national groups has put the matter where it belongs: in the hands of Michigan voters," the Humane Society says on its website.

'Tip of the Iceberg'

On the other side of the argument, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the trade group for the shooting, hunting and firearms industry, says it doesn't make economic sense to outlaw dove hunting in Michigan.

"Jobs, businesses and a surprisingly large economic infrastructure are tied to dove hunting in 4 of every 5 states, where families have been enjoying dove hunts and dove meals together for many, many years," said Doug Painter, president of NSSF.

He added that a "yes" vote to keep dove hunting legal in Michigan would be "good news for traditional values and lifestyles, as well as the businesses that support hunting in America."

The NSSF describes doves as one of the most popular, elusive, delectable, abundant and readily renewable natural resources in North America.

Citizens for Wildlife Conservation, an umbrella group of hunters, fishermen, trappers, farmers, wildlife biologists, scientists, and "others who reject animal rights" -- is among the groups leading the fight to keep dove hunting legal in Michigan.

The group warns that "anti-hunters" -- outside groups -- are bringing their animal rights crusade to Michigan, and that the defeat of Michigan's dove hunting season would simply boost the animal rights industry and its fund-raising ability.

The group believes that dove hunting is just the tip of the iceberg.

"Anti-Hunting organizations make no bones about it -- they're out to ban all hunting in America," Citizens for Wildlife Conservation says.

The anti-gun, anti-hunting groups are starting with the easiest "sell," which includes dove hunting. "Then they say they'll move on to pheasants, wild turkeys, grouse, deer and ultimately fishing," the group says.

The anti-hunting groups believe that dove-hunting is the weakest link in Michigan's hunting tradition, Citizens for Wildlife Conservation says. "Because it is brand new, not many hunters have hunted mourning doves in Michigan. The anti's believe that hunters will not care enough about the issue to fight. They are counting on it."

The group also argues that when animal rights group win a battle in one state, "they come back again and again stripping away more hunting rights. Once they deal a crippling blow to Michigan's hunting community over doves, they will attack more."

"This issue is not about dove hunting. It's about all hunting. The most effective way to stop the anti's from attacking bowhunting, turkey hunting, deer hunting, all hunting, is to stop them now."

Citizens for Wildlife Conservation also argues that doves are one of the abundant birds in the U.S. and that hunted or not, they don't live long -- about one year on average, the group says.

"Wildlife professionals maintain that, when hunted, there will be just as many doves next year as this year because they breed so prolifically. Mourning doves have a natural mortality rate of over 50 percent each year through predation, disease, bad weather conditions and accidents. Hunting accounts for less than 10 percent of the dove population's mortality each year," the group says.

Citizens for Wildlife Conservation notes that nearly 2.5 million people hunt doves each year in 41 states -- including all of the states bordering Michigan.

"The mild early autumn dove hunting season provides a perfect time to involve youngsters, the aged and disabled people in hunting. Doves, which are acrobatic in flight and reach speeds of up to 55 mph, are the most challenging game bird," the group says.

Moreover, the group insists that dove are good eating -- and that "two or three make for filling and delicious table fare."

The effort to defeat "anti-hunters" on Nov. 7 also includes includes the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Michigan Bear Hunters Association, Michigan Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, National Rifle Association, Safari Club International and the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance.


See Earlier Story:

Dove Hunting Bill Advances to Michigan Governor (9 June 2004)

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