News

Songbirds Go on the Menu

Published December 30, 2004. Detroit Free Press. Editorial.
Songbirds Go on the Menu

Few animal stories stirred as much reader reaction in 2004 as did the plight of the mourning doves.

Michigan's first dove season in 100 years began in the fall in six southern counties. In April, the state Legislature voted to allow the hunting of the songbirds, which had been protected in Michigan for 99 years.

Hunters rejoiced, saying mourning doves aren't the white birds of peace associated with Christmas, but rather legitimate game birds.

Critics, however, said the birds are unnecessary targets. "Mourning doves don't damage the environment," Jean Gramlich, an Audubon Society member from Birmingham, told the Free Press. "Do you shoot something just because it's there?"

While animal protection groups are trying to get signatures for a ballot issue to repeal dove hunting, hunters are hoping that the game area will be expanded.

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