News

Salem Residents Join Quest to Save the Doves

Published February 24, 2005. By Kate Phillips. South Lyon Milford Times.
Salem Residents Join Quest to Save the Doves

"I've been an animal lover since I was a little girl," said Salem resident Angie Trinka. "When we moved here to Salem, I discovered there were so many birds - more than I've seen in my whole life. I love to watch them come to my feeders."

Trinka has started spending her weekends working to stop the hunting of mourning doves. "For me, they bring peace," she said with a sigh. "You never see doves that fight or are angry, and they're always paired up. If one is injured, I nurse it back to health, if I can. There is always another dove waiting and watching for it to return."

Just last year a state bill was enacted to make it legal to hunt the mourning doves. The first hunting season was held in several counties this fall. Dove hunting is now allowed in 41 states.

A group across the state is collecting signatures on a petition that calls for a referendum vote on the issue of hunting mourning doves. They don't have a lot of time left. The question will only get on the ballot in 2006 if they can gather 150,000 signatures from Michigan voters. The group is aiming for 225,000 signatures, because some may be challenged and thrown out. They've got about 50,000 more to go.

Signature gatherers have been surprised that hunters are actually some of their biggest supporters. "A lot of hunters and hunters wives have been signing," said Trinka. "Some will say, 'Yummy,' and walk off, but for the most part they are very supportive. They say they would never hurt a dove. One man put out his thumb and said you would only get this much meat off them. (Hunters) question why hunt them, because it is not worth the meat on them, and they don't believe in just leaving an animal dead on the ground."

Trinka's daughter, Carrie Wilhelm, has been working with her to gather the signatures because she believes allowing the hunting season promotes the wrong values in children and the community at large. "Doves are backyard birds, loved by the people of Michigan," said the South Lyon teacher. "Most people who sign the petition tell us about their positive experiences with these 'song birds' in their own backyards. Some tell us it makes them sad, others say it makes them angry, that the doves they feed, watch, and listen to may be used as target practice right here in our own community."

Some are worried about the disastrous potential for the amount of lead shot dropped into the soil. Doves are known as hard to hit. Five to eight shotgun shells are normally fired for every bird killed, according to a U.S. Geographical Survey in partnership with the Fish and Wildlife Service. "This needless allowance of toxic lead shot goes against sound science," said Mike Boyce, Director of Southern Michigan Operations of the Michigan Audubon Society. "Countless studies have demonstrated that lead poisons... wildlife, including species of special concern."

According to National Rifle Association officials, dove hunting is a freedom that shouldn't be restricted, and will add up to $87 million to the Michigan economy through tourism, jobs and sales of supplies. "Michigan sportsmen should have the same opportunity... to participate in one of America`s oldest and cherished pastimes," said NRA spokeman Chris Cox, who explained that the NRA worked with lawmakers to pass the legislation in Michigan.

Those who are interested in signing a petition or gathering signatures can contact (517) 321-DOVE or go to www.stopshootingdoves.org.

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