Minnesota Doves: Under the Gun |
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Why allow a "non-event" for shooting mourning doves? |
Mourning doves—the biblical symbols of peace—were protected for 58 years before the state legislature narrowly passed a bill to allow them to be shot for mere target practice in 2004.
It's time for the Minnesota legislature to restore protection to this gentle songbird. S.F. 2329 and H.F. 2501 have been introduced in the Senate and the House, respectively, and—if passed—would remove doves from hunters' sights. If you live in Minnesota, please ask your legislators to support these bills.
Dove Hunting is Unpopular in Minnesota
Before allowing dove hunting in the state, the Department of Natural Resources told lawmakers that 30,000 hunters would initially participate in the dove hunting season, 50,000 annually over time. But according to the
Star Tribune, the new dove season started with a "dose of disinterest" and even the DNR called the season a "non-event." Only 1 percent of hunters in Minnesota—or 6,000—hunted doves the first season.
Minnesota Voters Oppose Dove Hunting
A Minnesota House of Representatives poll during the 2003 Minnesota State Fair found that Minnesota voters overwhelmingly opposed the establishment of a mourning dove hunting season by a three-to-one margin. Only 18.8 percent favored a dove hunting season, while 56.5 percent opposed it.
No Reason to Shoot Doves
- There are already 109 game species in the state without allowing dove hunting. According to the Pioneer Press, Minnesota has more birds who can legally be shot than any other state.
- Shooting doves is unnecessary and serves no wildlife management purpose. Doves don't cause damage and are even known as the "farmer's friend" because they eat pest weed seeds.
- Many hunters don't even retrieve the doves they shoot, because doves yield such a small amount of meat. Many hunters use doves for target practice, sometimes even referring to them as "cheap skeet."
- Dove hunting produces unacceptably high wounding rates and can orphan young doves.
Minnesota Neighbors Also Oppose Dove Hunting
In November 2006, Michigan voters were asked whether a mourning dove hunting season should be allowed in the state. They overwhelmingly rejected Proposal 3 by a landslide vote of 69 percent to 31 percent. Dove hunting was rejected in all counties in the state, from the most urban to the most rural.
What You Can Do
If you live in Minnesota, speak out for mourning doves! And scan our fact sheet on dove hunting in Minnesota.
See the Video
Dove Hunting
Related Links
Dove Hunting: The Bird of Peace as Target Practice
Fact Sheet: Restore Protections for Minnesota's Mourning Doves
HSUS Decries Legislation to Allow Target Shooting of Doves in Minnesota
Animal Welfare Groups Call on Minnesota Lawmakers to Restore Protections for Mourning Doves
