New York State Conservation Council Dove Hunting Resolution
We understand that not everyone knows what the NY State Conservation Council is. It is a private organization considered to have political pull. It is not a branch of the DEC or a government organization. To learn about the NYSCC, visit their website at: http://www.nyscc.com/_index.php Three other organizations mentioned in this report are the Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen's Club (http://www.federationofsportsmen.com/wp/), the Oneida County Federation of Sportsmen, and the Seneca County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs (http://www.senecacountyfederation.com/).
Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmen passed a resolution in 2008 to request of the DEC that they survey small game hunters on the matter of mourning doves. However, the small game committee of the NYSCC disapproved the resolution. The rationale given for the rejection is as follows, verbatim: “Disapproved due to the difficulty in getting support of the legislature for such an initiative as establishing the mourning dove as a game bird in NYS”.
SOURCE DOCUMENT: http://oswegocountyfederation.com/mrc/resolutions%202008/pending%20resolutions.htm
Subject: Mourning Doves
08-19 Onondaga County Passed
Whereas the mourning dove (Zenaida Macoura) remains the most populous and prolific game bird in the United States and that according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report, Mourning Dove Status 2007, "the mourning dove is one of the most widely distributed and abundant birds in North America" and that "more doves are harvested annually than all other migratory game birds combined;"
Whereas the annual natural mortality rate for doves is approximately 70% and that harvest by hunting is approximately 6% and has not been shown to be a significant factor in long term dove population statistics and that the significant recreational and economic impact of a properly managed dove hunting season is recognized by 39 of the lower 48 states that presently allow dove hunting;
Whereas classification of the mourning dove as a federal migratory game bird by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is based upon scientific data that is reviewed annually with regard to dove population trends;
Whereas establishment of a dove hunting season in New York could contribute to an increase in license sales and have a positive economic impact on the state;
Whereas reclassification of the mourning dove to a migratory game bird status in New York would provide an excellent opportunity to involve our young in a positive and enjoyable learning experience before they turn to other, possibly more negative pursuits, a situation that is sadly increasing in our present society;
Whereas Audubon New York has recently indicated that based upon a population conservation perspective, their opinion is that there is no reason to oppose reclassification of the mourning dove as a game bird in New York and that establishment of a well-regulated hunting season in New York should not impose any threat to the viability of mourning dove populations here or elsewhere;
Whereas any initiative to reclassify the mourning dove in New York must include evidence to the NYS Legislature that sportsmen are united in the support of this effort;
BE IT RESOLVED that the NYS Conservation Council petition DEC to survey New York’s sportsmen to ascertain whether the respondent would support the establishment of a mourning dove season in New York and that the results of the survey be disseminated in a timely manner.
Contact: Fred Z. Neff
Small Game Committee comments: Disapproved due to the difficulty in getting support of the legislature for such an initiative as establishing the mourning dove as a game bird in NYS.
Subject: NY State Conservation Council Resolutions in 2010
FYI: Copied verbatim from below: “WHEREAS the official Council Position with regard to doves was included in the NYSCC Positions until 2005 but was removed shortly thereafter for reasons that have not been adequately explained and has not been an official NYSCC position since”;
Source Document: http://www.nyscc.com/resolutions2010/doveseasonposition.html
This resolution PASSED at the NYSCC Annual Meeting on September 18, 2010.
NYSCC Reinstate Position with Regard to Establishment of a Dove Season in New York
WHEREAS in 1993, NYSC approval of Oneida County Resolution R93-11 resulted in an official Council Position to support and seek legislation for a dove season;
WHEREAS in 2002, NYSCC approval of Seneca County Resolution 02-16 to continue to support and seek legislation to establish a dove season was approved by NYSCC, resulting in the continued inclusion of this issue as an official Council position;
WHEREAS the official Council Position with regard to doves was included in the NYSCC Positions until 2005 but was removed shortly thereafter for reasons that have not been adequately explained and has not been an official NYSCC position since;
WHEREAS in 2008, Onondaga County Resolution 08-19 calling for a DEC survey to ascertain sportsman interest in the establishment of a dove season in New York was approved and was subsequently conducted by DEC;
WHEREAS there has been, and continues to be, continuing interest, activity, and evident Council support with regard to reclassification of the mourning dove to a game bird status in New York, a necessary step toward the establishment of a dove season in New York;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NYSCC reestablish its official position to support and seek legislation for a dove season in New York and that this position be included in the Council Positions until no longer feasible or necessary.
Contact:
Dick Habes (Co-Chair)
Robert Crane (Co-Chair)
Subject: NY State Conservation Council Positions Updated 2014
Source Document: http://www.nyscc.com/images/2012Positions_final_post_convention.pdf
Of Interest in this document:
MOURNING DOVE
Support and seek legislation to establish a mourning dove hunting season in New York State. (10)
SOURCE DOCUMENT: http://oswegocountyfederation.com/mrc/resolutions%202008/pending%20resolutions.htm
Subject: Mourning Doves
08-19 Onondaga County Passed
Whereas the mourning dove (Zenaida Macoura) remains the most populous and prolific game bird in the United States and that according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report, Mourning Dove Status 2007, "the mourning dove is one of the most widely distributed and abundant birds in North America" and that "more doves are harvested annually than all other migratory game birds combined;"
Whereas the annual natural mortality rate for doves is approximately 70% and that harvest by hunting is approximately 6% and has not been shown to be a significant factor in long term dove population statistics and that the significant recreational and economic impact of a properly managed dove hunting season is recognized by 39 of the lower 48 states that presently allow dove hunting;
Whereas classification of the mourning dove as a federal migratory game bird by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is based upon scientific data that is reviewed annually with regard to dove population trends;
Whereas establishment of a dove hunting season in New York could contribute to an increase in license sales and have a positive economic impact on the state;
Whereas reclassification of the mourning dove to a migratory game bird status in New York would provide an excellent opportunity to involve our young in a positive and enjoyable learning experience before they turn to other, possibly more negative pursuits, a situation that is sadly increasing in our present society;
Whereas Audubon New York has recently indicated that based upon a population conservation perspective, their opinion is that there is no reason to oppose reclassification of the mourning dove as a game bird in New York and that establishment of a well-regulated hunting season in New York should not impose any threat to the viability of mourning dove populations here or elsewhere;
Whereas any initiative to reclassify the mourning dove in New York must include evidence to the NYS Legislature that sportsmen are united in the support of this effort;
BE IT RESOLVED that the NYS Conservation Council petition DEC to survey New York’s sportsmen to ascertain whether the respondent would support the establishment of a mourning dove season in New York and that the results of the survey be disseminated in a timely manner.
Contact: Fred Z. Neff
Small Game Committee comments: Disapproved due to the difficulty in getting support of the legislature for such an initiative as establishing the mourning dove as a game bird in NYS.
Subject: NY State Conservation Council Resolutions in 2010
FYI: Copied verbatim from below: “WHEREAS the official Council Position with regard to doves was included in the NYSCC Positions until 2005 but was removed shortly thereafter for reasons that have not been adequately explained and has not been an official NYSCC position since”;
Source Document: http://www.nyscc.com/resolutions2010/doveseasonposition.html
This resolution PASSED at the NYSCC Annual Meeting on September 18, 2010.
NYSCC Reinstate Position with Regard to Establishment of a Dove Season in New York
WHEREAS in 1993, NYSC approval of Oneida County Resolution R93-11 resulted in an official Council Position to support and seek legislation for a dove season;
WHEREAS in 2002, NYSCC approval of Seneca County Resolution 02-16 to continue to support and seek legislation to establish a dove season was approved by NYSCC, resulting in the continued inclusion of this issue as an official Council position;
WHEREAS the official Council Position with regard to doves was included in the NYSCC Positions until 2005 but was removed shortly thereafter for reasons that have not been adequately explained and has not been an official NYSCC position since;
WHEREAS in 2008, Onondaga County Resolution 08-19 calling for a DEC survey to ascertain sportsman interest in the establishment of a dove season in New York was approved and was subsequently conducted by DEC;
WHEREAS there has been, and continues to be, continuing interest, activity, and evident Council support with regard to reclassification of the mourning dove to a game bird status in New York, a necessary step toward the establishment of a dove season in New York;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that NYSCC reestablish its official position to support and seek legislation for a dove season in New York and that this position be included in the Council Positions until no longer feasible or necessary.
Contact:
Dick Habes (Co-Chair)
Robert Crane (Co-Chair)
Subject: NY State Conservation Council Positions Updated 2014
Source Document: http://www.nyscc.com/images/2012Positions_final_post_convention.pdf
Of Interest in this document:
MOURNING DOVE
Support and seek legislation to establish a mourning dove hunting season in New York State. (10)