Mich. should protect its mourning doves
(Last updated: 08/28/09 6:17pm) In The State News article on the mourning dove issue ("Dove hunting will be on Nov. ballot," SN 9/14), Beth Ruth of the Ohio-based U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance is quoted as saying that shooting at doves "… is a tradition that many sportsmen enjoy."Well, Beth, target practice on birds people enjoy at their feeders is not - and never has been - an acceptable activity in our state.
In fact, Michigan had a ban on mourning dove shooting for 100 years. In November 2006, Michigan voters will have the fair opportunity to vote "no" on the mourning dove referendum and permanently restore the continued protection of a traditional backyard songbird.
Julie Baker
director of the Committee to Restore the Dove Shooting Ban
