[Neal]

I knew it was in the making, but this came as a surprise.

(Columbus) - A bill introduced today in the Michigan House of Representatives would make Michigan the 40th state to permit dove hunting.

Sponsored by Rep. Susan Tabor, R-Lansing, HB 5029 would allow the Michigan Natural Resources Commission to set a dove season within the framework established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Dove seasons begin on September 1 around the country each year. Rep. Tabor is Chairman of the House Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Committee.

"Michigan sportsmen and sportswomen should have the same opportunity that hunters in 39 other states have to hunt America's most abundant game bird," said Rep. Tabor. "Wildlife biologists say the state has enough doves to hunt and sportsmen want a season. The legislature should do its part and pass the bill."


According to the USFWS, doves number nearly 450 million in the United States. Hunting has been proven to have little impact on dove populations. These facts are not expected to deter animal rights groups, which have vigorously opposed dove hunting in other states.

"The anti-hunters will certainly rally against the bill," said Bud Pidgeon, president of the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, a national sportsmen's advocacy group that has been working with Rep. Tabor to pass a dove hunting bill. "Our challenge will be to help organize sportsmen's clubs and individual sportsmen across Michigan to get behind Representative Tabor's bill and send a unified message to the legislature to vote yes on HB 5029."

 

[Whitetail]

Originally posted by Neal

"The anti-hunters will certainly rally against the bill," said Bud Pidgeon, president of the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance,"

BUD PIDGEON?? Did any of you find this funny?

 

[Liver and Onions]

Whitetail,
You might be interested in knowing that his wife's name is Robin.
She is a pretty good cook, but nothing to crow about.

L & O

 

[Hamilton Reef]

Whitetail, Here is one example of the anti-hunting network you will be up against. They are well organized and financed.

ACTION ALERT August 2003

Mourning Dove hunting legislation introduced in the Michigan Legislature.

On August 13, 2003, House Bill 5029 http://www.michiganlegislature.org/mileg.asp?page=getObject&objName=2003-HB-5029 was introduced by State Representative Susan Tabor [R-71]. This bill attempts to remove the mourning dove as protected songbird in Michigan and list it as a game species in order to create a new shooting season. Tabor's plan to create a voting block through the new caucus has come into play http://www.savethedoves.org/news/news_060103.html.

Protected since 1905, Michigan has maintained a long heritage and tradition of mourning dove protection because the majority of citizens, including the majority of Michigan hunters, overwhelmingly oppose the hunting of doves in Michigan.

Also within this legislation is a section to repeal PA 451 MCL 324.40110 http://www.michiganlegislature.org/mileg.asp?page=getObject&objName=mcl-324-40110&highlight= , this section repeals what protects YOUR RIGHT to accountable legislative representation on this and ALL future wildlife decisions, by transferring the authority to "DESIGNATE" protected non-game species as game from the Legislature over to the non-elected Natural Resource Commission...a Commission that has violated the law and court ordered injunction http://www.savethedoves.org/news_courtorder.html several times to attempt to "take" the dove from the people of the state of Michigan.

This is not wanted by the people and is being pushed by out-of-state dove-shooting proponents.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

YOUR help is URGENTLY needed, many NEW legislators need to be educated about the hotly contested dove issue...

Call, write, fax, or email your State Representative and State Senator TODAY. Urge them to oppose HB 5029. Make it clear you do not want recreational hunting "management" used on this protected songbird and you do not want your right to legislative authority repealed!

Call the House at 517-373-0135 and ask to be connected with your Representative.
You may also find your Representative http://www.house.state.mi.us/LocateRep.asp

Call the Senate at 517-373-2400 and ask to be connected with your Senator.
You may also find your Senator http://www.senate.state.mi.us/SenatorInfo/find-your-senator.htm

Share this Alert with Friends and Family—Each Person's Voice “Counts”

THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO SAVE MICHIGAN’S MOURNING DOVES AND OTHER PROTECTED NON-GAME WILDLIFE!

More information and updates will be available at http://www.savethedoves.org

A UFAT message from:
Lowell D. Corbin
Co-Chair: Environmental Action Committee
Michigan Audubon Society
[email protected]

 

[Hamilton Reef]

Now that you have the dove bill anti-hunting bs material, use their same contact links and materials to your advantage and contact the state legislators to promote HB 5029.

 

[Neal]

This is a follow up to the email alert I sent you on Monday regarding
responses to the Lansing State Journal Capitol Question. Included with
the plea were some facts regarding dove hunting and it was stated that
there are 38 other states that allow dove hunting, and that is
incorrect. There are actually 39 states that allow dove hunting, as
Wisconsin's Supreme Court just upheld their right to hold their first
dove hunting season.

If you haven't done so already, please send your response to the
Lansing State Journal. Here is the information again.

The LSJ is asking people to let them know if they support a dove season
by calling (517) 485-5463 and press 8978 to leave a voice mail (be sure
to leave a phone number where they can reach you). You can also fax
your response to (517) 377-1298 or email it them at
[email protected].

THE DEADLINE FOR RESPONSES IS Thursday AT NOON, so please don't delay
and remember to include your telephone number if leaving a voice mail.

Thanks again for your activism. I know we can get a dove hunting season
established in Michigan with your help!

Susan

 

[Lil' Tanker]

everything has got to be made into such a issue. They are just doves, lets blast them buggers!