Non-Native Doves Reported in New York
Eurasian collared doves have been reported by birdwatchers
on 7/3/14 in NYC and prior to that, around Rochester, NY. This dove species,
along with the very similar African collared dove/ ringed turtle dove and the native
white-winged dove are expanding in distribution. If they establish significant
populations or stage in significant numbers during migration in NY, the DEC, under current law, will not be able to set a hunting season for them, because unless they are
designated as a game species or unprotected wildlife, they are, by default, protected birds. Keep in
mind, that although the white-winged dove is native to some parts of the United
States, but not the northeast; the Eurasian collared dove and the African collared dove/ ringed turtle dove are exotic species, not native to North America. Currently, the DEC is being blocked from not
only establishing a hunting season for mute swans, which are an invasive,
exotic species, they are also being blocked from using other lethal control
methods. Ironically, the mute swan has been designated a game bird since 1970 in New York,
yet, no hunting season has been established for them. As a matter of fact, in 2014, the DEC is not only being limited on the extent it can control mute swans, they are being blocked from eradicating them, thereby preventing the DEC from conforming with a concerted effort among the states in the Atlantic flyway and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Without classification, as either a game species or unprotected wildlife, there is a potential for another legal dilemma if exotic doves become deemed invasive. As is the case with mute swans, even designation as game or unprotected wildlife does not necessarily avoid this legal dilemma. If you have been following this page closely, you
know that the mourning dove is not yet classified as a game bird in NY.
Although the first step is to re-classify the mourning dove as a game bird,
this will not automatically establish dove hunting. As a matter of fact, the
state of NJ, in 2012, re-classified the mourning dove as a game bird, yet there
has been no initiative since then to set a hunting season. Mourning doves are a native species that are not associated with nuisance behavior, the absence of nuisance issues and overpopulation have been premises against dove hunting.
Post Script: NYS considers the rock dove, better known as the common pigeon, an exotic species, which is deleterious (invasive). The rock dove is not classified as a game species, however, it is classified as unprotected wildlife and can be taken year-round under NYS Environmental Conservation Law. There is some confusion with another law stipulating that it is illegal to take Antwerp pigeons which are banded with an owner registration identification number. The Antwerp pigeon is a man-made breed of the rock dove.
P.P.S: Just as the wild rock dove is the ancestor of the Antwerp pigeon and other domestic pigeon breeds, created by man, through selective breeding; the ringed turtle dove is also a domestic breed derived from the African collared dove.
P.P.P.S: At the time of this writing, we have an active petition to allow the NYS DEC to manage mute swans in the state of New York. This issue is important on its own face to protect native waterfowl, wetland habitats, and the DEC's authority to make wildlife management decisions. It is of secondary importance for future initiatives to establish a mourning dove hunting season and to preserve the DEC's authority to manage other wildlife, both native and non-native; including non-native wildlife which has escaped from captivity such as mute swans, African collared doves / ringed turtle doves, and rock doves. To learn about the petition and sign it, click HERE.
Post Script: NYS considers the rock dove, better known as the common pigeon, an exotic species, which is deleterious (invasive). The rock dove is not classified as a game species, however, it is classified as unprotected wildlife and can be taken year-round under NYS Environmental Conservation Law. There is some confusion with another law stipulating that it is illegal to take Antwerp pigeons which are banded with an owner registration identification number. The Antwerp pigeon is a man-made breed of the rock dove.
P.P.S: Just as the wild rock dove is the ancestor of the Antwerp pigeon and other domestic pigeon breeds, created by man, through selective breeding; the ringed turtle dove is also a domestic breed derived from the African collared dove.
P.P.P.S: At the time of this writing, we have an active petition to allow the NYS DEC to manage mute swans in the state of New York. This issue is important on its own face to protect native waterfowl, wetland habitats, and the DEC's authority to make wildlife management decisions. It is of secondary importance for future initiatives to establish a mourning dove hunting season and to preserve the DEC's authority to manage other wildlife, both native and non-native; including non-native wildlife which has escaped from captivity such as mute swans, African collared doves / ringed turtle doves, and rock doves. To learn about the petition and sign it, click HERE.