Media Coverage - Ballot Inititive Would Allow Dove Hunting
Published October 26, 2006. By Kristen Janney. Gannet News Service
A game bird or a song bird? It will be up to Michigan voters to decide on Nov. 7.
If approved, Proposal 3 will make Michigan the 41st state to establish a hunting season for mourning doves.
Gabe Kish of the Gun Barn in Highland said he supports a season that is already legal in Michigan's surrounding states.
In 1905 legislation banned dove hunting in Michigan. The law was reversed in 2004 to establish a three-year trial period in six of Michigan's counties, he said. Enough people signed a petition, suspending the season until this year's election.
"It's only an issue because of the type of people that have moved into the neighborhood. All those non-hunters," said Kish. "It's not the same place as it was 20 years ago."
According to Kish, doves are the most populated bird around. They are a good size piece of meat, and they taste good, he said. The only argument heard from non-hunters is that "they are cute little birds," Kish said.
Michigan Humane Society members disagree. They, as others who are opposed to dove hunting said that as the state's bird of peace, doves deserve protection. They say that doves are not overpopulated, not an agricultural threat and not a viable food source.
Barb Foland said it is evil the way people are teaching children it is okay to hunt doves.
"I feel that it's target practice on a living creature," she said.
Foland is not opposed to hunting in general. She points out that there are many other birds that are larger and a more feasible food source to hunt. She added that doves are not a nuisance to society.
If enacted, Proposal 3 would require a mourning dove hunter to have a small game license and purchase a $2 stamp.
Autumn Fog of the National Rifle Association said she believes a dove hunting season would add to the economical engine of the society.
Doves are said to be an easier target than most other animals. "It's a great way for new hunters to try hunting," Fog said.
