Balancing Dove Hunting, Biodiversity, and Nature Recreation
Dove hunting is not likely to have a significant impact on the non-hunting public. Overall, however, some individuals may be opposed to the hunting of migratory birds. In general, non-hunters who do not oppose hunting on ethical grounds but are interested in long-term wildlife conservation will experience positive impacts from dove hunting. Positive environmental effects will be realized because a portion of the funding required to study, develop, preserve and/or enhance vital wildlife habitat is provided directly by hunters or via costs associated with hunting. For those ethically opposed to hunting, these environmental benefits will likely be outweighed by their personal opposition to hunting. For this group of citizens, dove hunting will be viewed as having an adverse impact.
According to the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), the number of organizations worldwide that support conservation totals over 4,221. The NWF compiled the largest database of conservation organizations on a centralized website. Within the U.S., there are 64 commercial/for-profit, nine foundation/benefactor, 1,006 Governmental (Federal), 624 Governmental (State and local), 1,820 nonprofit/non-governmental, and 325 school/college/university organizations that focus on conservation. Among these organizations, 1,384 focus on wildlife and wildlife species, and 126 focus on habitat quality. These organizations represent a wide range of interests and philosophies concerning the hunting of migratory birds. Overall, dove hunting is not likely to have a significant impact on organizations. However, dove hunting will be perceived as having an adverse impact by organizations ethically opposed to hunting. Organizations that are not opposed to hunting, but that are concerned with habitat conservation, are likely to experience positive impacts as additional hunting opportunities will provide increased revenue for the preservation and enhancement of vital wildlife habitat.