Media Coverage - Dove Hunt Group Loses Quest for "No."
Friday, September 08, 2006. By Elilzabeth Shaw, Outdoor Writer. The Flint Journal.
The fate of Michigan's dove hunting season could boil down to the choice of a few simple words on the November ballot.
Both sides typically want a ballot question to be worded so a "no" vote will favor their side.
"Historically, uninformed voters are more likely to pull the 'no' vote. So, naturally, we were hoping for the 'no' vote and did fight bitterly for that," said Marc Somers of Fenton, spokesman for Citizens for Wildlife Conservation, a group that supports dove hunting in Michigan, and president of the Flint chapter of Safari Club International.
But on Aug. 25, the state Board of Canvassers approved official ballot language for Proposal 3, which will determine whether the mourning dove will be classified as a game or song bird in Michigan: A "yes" vote will reinstate the dove hunting season previously established in 2004. A "no" vote will return the mourning dove to its pre-2004 status as a songbird that can't be legally hunted.
CWC also wanted the language to explain that a "yes" vote would reinstate the dove hunting season enacted in 2004, not establish a new one from scratch.
"We were negotiating hard ... to change the wording so voters knew they were not enacting something new. But we were unsuccessful in that effort," said Somers. "It's disappointing because we wanted voters to realize they were overturning a legislative bill by voting against dove hunting."
The group's strategy now is to lessen the number of uninformed voters.
"Our campaign from the beginning has been based on educating voters on the sound scientific principles of wildlife management, and that's what we'll continue to do," said Somers.
A recent Detroit-area poll showed 50 percent of Michigan voters are against shooting doves, while 40 percent support a hunting season for mourning doves.
A similar poll earlier this summer indicated 57 percent were against dove hunting, with 31 percent in favor.
Meanwhile, pro-ban activists also are scrambling to adjust their campaign strategies.
This week, the former Committee to Restore the Dove Shooting Ban officially renamed itself the Committee to Keep Doves Protected.
A press release announcing the change explained: "The new name now more accurately reflects the group's mission: to urge Michigan residents to vote "No" on Proposal 3 to keep doves protected."
The group has also revamped its Web site to echo the "No" campaign.
"Our main concern was that the ballot language was clear so that voters knew a 'yes' vote was for dove shooting and a 'no' vote was for keeping doves protected," said Committee Director Julie Baker.
