By Staff
Once again the Michigan dove hunting issue is back on the table. House Bill 5029, commonly called the Dove Bill, which would allow dove hunting in Michigan is soon coming up for vote in the Legislature. Currently 39 other states, including all our neighboring states, have dove hunting seasons. In fact, doves are by far this countrys most prevalent and popular game bird. This is the latest of several attempts to allow dove hunting in Michigan. The fact that the previous initiatives were narrowly defeated shows this is a controversial issue, however, if there ever was a case for a species to be hunted the dove is it.
Doves are strictly seed and grain eaters and with wheat, corn and soy beans covering much of rural America they have now become one of this countrys most prevalent birds. For nearly 40 years their population nationwide has remained at a relatively stable 400-500 million birds. Many experts claim they even outnumber English sparrows and house finches.
It has been proven beyond all doubt that hunting has no significant effect on dove populations. The primary reason for this is that they are very prolific breeders. A pair of doves will turn out anywhere from three to six broods a year. In nature's way, though, this is compensated for by them also having one of the highest mortality rates. With or without hunting, 55 to 60 percent will not see their first birthday. Much fewer yet will make it back from their southerly migration to breed the following summer. Hunting accounts for less than two percent of this mortality so in terms of population numbers it's a non issue. Doves are not hardy birds and weather is the predominant factor in their numbers.
Michigan's dove population averages around eight to 10 million birds with the largest portion residing in the southern third of the state. Most migrate south for the winter. One faction heads for Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The other group goes to Alabama, Georgia and Florida. Most of those overwintering here have come down from Canada and northerly portions of neighboring states. Obviously 'south' is relative to a dove.
At this point a lot of Michigan hunters go to Indiana and Ohio to dove hunt, leaving considerable amounts of cash at the motels, gas stations, restaurants and sporting goods stores of these neighboring states that would otherwise be spent here in Michigan. The DNR also misses out on a lot of license money that would go toward managing all of Michigan's wildlife. Also, dove hunting is great for the elderly and handicapped. Typically hunters simply sit on stands around grain fields and wait for the birds to come in. Since so little effort is involved virtually anyone can participate.
Studies have shown that doves move very little between urban and rural areas. They're either a city kid living off the feeders or a country boy existing on the grain fields. It's only the latter that are hunted so hunting has no effect on the number or wariness of the doves hanging out in town and coming to backyard feeders.
This Dove Bill has gained nationwide status and has become more an issue of hunting vs. anti-hunting. As in the past, with no sound reason not to hunt doves the primary opposition is coming from the National anti-hunting organizations. It was hunter apathy that allowed previous Bills to be defeated. While the anti-hunters were screaming wildly hunters just sat mute. I understand the last attempt was nixed by just one vote. This time virtually all the major hunting organizations have rallied together in a counter offensive. Yesterday nearly a thousand representatives of these organizations even held a demonstration on the House steps in Lansing.
The vote is coming up very soon and supporters of the bill are encouraging everyone in favor of the Dove Bill to call their Representative. Those of you in Berrien County and portions of western Cass County (district 78) call Representative Neil Nitz, (517) 373-1796. The Representative for the remainder of Cass County (district 59) is Rick Shaffer, (517) 373-0832.
Larry Lyons writes a weekly outdoor column for Leader Publications. He can be reached at larrylyons@beanstalk.net