Media Coverage - Maintain Bird's Protection in Michigan by Voting No
Published October 23, 2006. Editorial. Flint Journal
If there is a vast, anti-hunting conspiracy out there, those favoring making the mourning dove a sporting bird in Michigan have provided these conspirators with ammunition.
By getting lawmakers in 2004 to lift the century-long protection for the gentle bird, they've also set up a showdown with many in the state's population that fully backs our hunting heritage, but opposes shooting doves.
Count us in that group, as we've long considered the mourning dove a songbird, a stand that admittedly is partly based on emotion. But we make no apologies for our feelings, and urge voters Nov. 7 not to add this creature to a long list of game birds already available.
A yes vote on Proposal 06-3 would reinstate a hunting season the Legislature approved two years ago as a three-year trial. However, that test was suspended after one season when those opposed to killing doves gathered signatures to place this referendum on the ballot.
It's not a question of good vs. evil or crazies against the sane, as both sides sometimes see it. This is just a choice. Should the mourning dove - hunted in 40 states - be a legal target here?
Those in favor say it will bolster hunting, especially among those without means to engage in more expensive blood sports. People opposed say mourning dove hunting is unnecessary, as doves are not pests or overpopulated. They point out that there's little food value in the bird, and too often the swift fliers only provide challenging targets. Additionally, the dove season occurs during the nesting period, meaning many young would be orphaned.
For these and other reasons, Michigan's majority has opposed hunting doves. If many are riled with some outdoorsmen now, well, whose fault is that? For our part, this is a narrow question of whether a long-protected bird should lose this status? Our recommendation is no.
