News

Likely Friday Opening;
Opponents Work for 2006 ballot

September 9, 2004. By Marisa Schultz. The Detroit News.
State gears up for likely Friday opening; opponents hope to get issue on 2006 ballot

For two decades, Bob Garner often made long treks to Indiana with his wife and son for the annual tradition of dove hunting. But this Friday, Garner is planning on hunting the fast-flying bird known for its song a little closer to home. Garner and his five colleagues on the Natural Resources Commission today are poised to approve the start to dove hunting season in Michigan, lifting a century-old ban that has stirred up controversy among Michigan voters. 

Hunting would be allowed in six southern Michigan counties starting this weekend as a part of a three-year trial period. The season would run until Oct. 30, and hunters would be limited to 15 doves a day and no more than 30 mourning doves in their possession. The $2 stamps would go on sale Friday online at the Department of Natural Resources Web site and at 1,700 retailers in Michigan.

Rep. Susan Tabor, R-Delta Township, also plans to drive to one of the designated dove hunting counties on Saturday with a bucket to sit on, lots of shotgun shells and a barbecue grill for the inaugural hunt. While she hopes to one day see the hunts extended to all parts of the state, Tabor, who sponsored the legislation to lift the dove hunting ban, said she hopes the trial hunt will prove to naysayers that the state dove population -- estimated at 4 million -- won't be depleted.

"To the bird lovers in the state, we are still going to have mourning doves on our feeders," said Tabor, who added that dove hunting is a great introduction to hunting for children. "I am absolutely promising that."

Meanwhile, protesters to the hunts are gathering the estimated 225,000 signatures needed to put the issue of dove hunting to a statewide vote in November 2006.

"Michigan has a long heritage and a long history of mourning dove protection," said Julie Baker, campaign manager for the Committee to Restore the Dove Shooting Ban. "The majority of Michigan citizens and the majority of hunters don,t approve the shooting of mourning doves."

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