Citizens petition state to protect doves

Mourning doves, named for their bitter-sweet song, could be considered fair game for Michigan hunters for the first time in 93 years if potential legislation to reclassify the songbird as a game-bird becomes law.

Sen. David Jaye (R-Macomb), who chairs the newly formed Senate Hunting, Fishing and Forestry committee, said he will introduce such a bill as soon as he can get a majority vote in the House or Senate.

Protected from hunters by state law since 1905, mourning doves are not overpopulated, do not damage farmers' crops and provide little meat when killed, said members of the University's Michigan Animal Rights Society.

MARS members have joined statewide petitioning efforts to oppose legislation that would allow the hunting of the mourning dove in Michigan.

MARS Vice President Jessica Penny, an LSA junior, said she cannot understand why hunters would target the bird.

"There are doves that live around the (Ann Arbor) area. I see them when I'm walking my dog," Penny said. "They have a distinctive, mournful song - they're smaller than pigeons, cream-colored and a symbol for peace.

"Basically, the only reason someone would shoot them is because they enjoy killing something," Penny said.

Jaye said hunters have the right to shoot doves.

"Mourning doves are like flying rats - it's a game bird available to every man," Jaye said. "You don't need expensive training or equipment to hunt them."

Doris Dixon, an Ann Arbor resident who heads the Michigan Office of the Fund For Animals, said she hopes local campaigning efforts will aid state organizers who have already gathered more than 7,000 signatures.

"I maintain that (hunting doves) for food, is ludicrous; for sport, a sad commentary, and for any reason, unnecessary," said Dixon, who also serves as an adviser to MARS.

MARS member Allison Hess said she is encouraged by the response she has received from citizens about the petition, and she is especially excited to see hunters sign on.

"Several hunters have signed our petitions because hunting mourning doves will hurt the image of hunters more than it will help it," said Hess, an LSA junior.

Engineering junior Jon Opdyke, who has hunted for eight years, said he has no problem killing mourning doves, but said he understands the arguments against making dove hunting legal. The most convincing reason is that doves are known to perch on power lines, Opdyke said.

"I would probably hunt (doves) if it were legal for variety. But I understand the argument about the power lines," Opdyke said. "A lot of hunters wouldn't take that discretion, and a shotgun would take down an electrical wire pretty easily."

Dennis Knapp, who works as a wildlife biologist for the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, said the MUCC's membership has passed numerous resolutions supporting the legalization Jaye hopes to propose.

"The dove is the number one game bird in North America and it is hunted in 39 states," Knapp said. "Biologically, there is no reason we can't have a hunting season (for the dove) in this state."

Hess said that while hunting is not as prevalent in Ann Arbor compared to the rest of the state, residents interested in opposing the legislation should let their views be known.

"Petitioning is our most important tool to help save the birds. It is a way to educate the public and make our voices heard," Hess said. "Ann Arbor isn't a big hunting city, but there is some, so protecting the birds near the city is important.

04-15-98