News

Commission Unanimously Approves Michigan Season

September 10, 2004. By Marisa Schultz. The Detroit News
Commission Unanimously Approves Michigan Season

After a century of protection, mourning doves are now fair game in Michigan with a season much-anticipated by some hunters set to open today in six southern counties.

The six-member Natural Resources Commission unanimously approved the hunting season Thursday evening at its Lansing meeting, marking a temporary end to the storied debate over whether hunters should be allowed to legally kill the Michigan bird of peace.

The decision means hunters, such as Joe Ross, can finalize their weekend hunting plans for the state's inaugural dove hunt that will extend to Oct. 30 as part of a three-year trial period. "It's exciting and it's nice that there's another opportunity for the hunters here in Michigan," said Ross, 30, of Ypsilanti, fresh from a dove-hunting trip in Ohio, where he shot the 15-bird limit in a few hours. "It's a challenging hunt and the more folks start to go they'll find out how challenging it is and how great doves are to eat."

The debate over mourning dove hunting has been anything but peaceful in Michigan.

Supporters say Michigan hunters have been losing out on an exciting opportunity that 40 states enjoy without depleting their dove populations. Plus, doves are the perfect hunting introduction for kids, they say: The fall weather is comfortable, plentiful birds offer a lot of shot opportunities and kids won't get worn out because they can remain stationary while hunting.

On the opposite end of the debate, the legalized dove hunts have angered many voters and prompted an initiative to get the issue on the November 2006 ballot.

"I've been following this issue from the beginning, and I really anticipated a different result," said Rosemary Wilson, 75, of St. Clair Shores, who said Gov. Jennifer Granholm reneged on her campaign promise when she signed legislation this summer to lift the ban.

"I had a tragic experience last year and lost my dear daughter at 39 and she liked nothing more than to listen to the mourning dove," Wilson added. "And to think they are going to anticipate a family gathering to shoot these tiny birds ... I just find it highly egregious."

The commission outlined the hunting season of a three-year trial hunt. The $2 stamps needed for dove hunting are now on sale on the Department of Natural Resources Web site and at 1,700 retailers in Michigan.

During the three-year trial period, biologists will track the impact the hunts have on the population in the six counties, chosen in part because they border states where the hunts have been legal.

"This isn't about money making," said DNR spokesman Brad Wurfel. "It's not directly about population control. This is about providing a new hunting opportunity."

The hunters' chance at new game this weekend underscores the urgency to put the issue to a statewide vote in November 2006, protesters say.

"It's very ironic that Michigan would allow its official bird of peace to be blasted into pieces for nothing more than target practice," said Michael Markarian, president of the Fund for Animals, part of the coalition trying to stop the hunts in Michigan.

Since the hunting ban was lifted, the Lansing-based office of the Committee to Restore the Dove Shooting Ban has been flooded with phone calls and volunteers, Markarian said. The campaign plans to collect more than 225,000 signatures, all by volunteers.

Typically an animal is added to the hunting list because of overpopulation or nuisance problems, Markarian said. But in the case of mourning doves, the birds don't bother anyone and population controls are not necessary, Markarian said.

At Cabela's in Dundee, where Ross is the merchandise manager, curiosity has been mounting among customers about dove hunting season. Many people don't realize that while small like shrimp, dove is really tasty, he said. His favorite: dove wrapped in bacon and barbecued.

Dick Whitwam is pleased that mourning doves now are fair game. But the Brownstown Township hunter doesn't think the decision will affect the turnout at this weekend's Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival -- a popular destination for sportsmen and women.

Last year's event netted more than 20,000 people at the state game area 15 miles north of Monroe with the duck hunters' tournament, decoy contest and bird-calling championships. "There won't be any guys around here doing that (dove hunting)," said Whitwam, executive director of the festival. "I don't think people would travel that far."

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