NY Dove Hunting Answers The Humane Society, et al on Mourning Dove Hunting
Humane Society of the United States; left to right; Brian Shapiro, Casey Pheiffer, Michael Markarian, Patrick Kwan
Introduction
The Humane Society of the United States has a section on their website about the topic of mourning dove hunting. Other entities use very similar arguments against dove hunting. This document is our response to the narrative promoted by those opposed to mourning dove hunting.
The “Useful Animal Argument”
Humane Society of the US et al: Doves are the farmer’s friend because they eat the seeds of nuisance plants…
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: In the early years of wildlife science, when it was in its infancy around the 1940’s; the theory of 1 or 2 biologists was that seed-eating birds, such as mourning doves, reduce the growth of nuisance plants. However, it has been known for many years that this is not true. As a matter of fact, to the contrary, seed-eating birds such as mourning doves are very efficient seed dispersers and actually spread the growth of both desirable and undesirable plants.
As a matter of fact, a mourning dove hunting season in NY would benefit some NY farmers, especially small family farms.
While it is a true mourning doves are not a crop pest; many agriculture producers are hunters. Farmers are often too busy to hunt; however the best dove hunting often is best just after the crops are harvested when farmers and their families have more time. Although other hunting seasons run after harvest, the peak of dove migration and dove hunting are directly associated with crop harvest and seed dispersal of wild plants. Unlike dove hunting, the peak hunting of other species is not directly associated with the crop harvest and seed dispersal of wild plants.
In addition, supplemental farm income is important to small family farms and in some cases necessary in order for these farms to stay in operation. The loss of small family farms and the transition to large corporate operations has broad impacts on the environment, the economy, and food quality.
Hunting is one form of supplemental farm income, and hunting is consistent with agriculture practices and rural culture. Dove hunting is used successfully in other states to produce supplemental farm income. An area three to five acres is sufficient to attract doves and allow enough hunters to turn a profit. There will be a greater chance guests will comply with landowner imposed boundary restrictions, because the doves will congregate around managed fields. This is preferably to guests wandering around a farmer’s property.
“The Meatiness Factor”
Humane Society of the US et al: Too small to provide “sustenance” and/or hunters don’t really eat doves because they are too small….
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: The desirability of a bird or animal for eating is not related to its size. If size of the game were a condition for harvest then NY hunters would no longer fish for perch, bluegill, or crappie nor hunt woodcock or snipe or harvest blue claw crabs, shrimp or bivalve shellfish such as clams, oysters, and scallops.
However, the level of difficulty to process and cook game does have some influence on its desirability. Mourning doves are flavorful, do not require marinades, aging, or tenderizing, and are easy to cook. Processing them does not produce a lot of feathers, blood, viscera, or strong odor. In addition the skin, meat, and bones are light therefore processing doves takes little time and does not require much physical effort or special knives and saws.
Sustenance is defined as food or drink that allows you to be alive. Three ounces of mourning dove meat contains 123 calories, 19.47 grams of protein, and 1.56 grams of fat. Dove meat is nutrient dense and is actually more nutritious per ounce than most other foods, including plant-based foods. Apparently early man knew that too because bones found in cave-like rock shelters in the vicinity of Lake Amistad in Val Verde County Texas indicate man used mourning doves for food for at least 9,000 years.
Our website has a section covering the topic of cooking doves and provides dove recipes. See: www.NYDoveHunting.weebly.com/doves-are-delicious.html
Mistaken Kill…
Humane Society of the US et al: Experienced bird watchers misidentify stationary birds while using binoculars, and since it is harder to discern birds in flight, especially without binoculars, hunters will shoot other species.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response:
Our petition stipulates that the DEC addresses responsible dove hunting. That would include the subject of identifying doves and avoiding shooting other birds. NY currently has a waterfowl identification course in its hunter education program, as do other states. That course could be amended to include mourning dove hunting, or a new course dedicated to mourning dove hunting could be implemented. States which allow dove hunting have educational channels addressing this and all facets of responsible dove hunting. These channels are hunter education courses, printed and online material. The DEC would provide similar information for a nominal cost which could be derived from a dove stamp or permit, a Pitman Robertson Grant, and hunting license revenue.
The ability to differentiate between species is implicit in all hunting. Duck hunters are called upon to distinguish between a wide variety of waterfowl, many of which look very much like one another and are fast flyers, without the use of binoculars.
Wildlife is easier to identify when it is close and doves are not shot from great distances. The maximum effective range of shotguns is only about 40 yards. The maximum range of the Venturi air shotgun is about 25 yards. In addition mourning doves make a distinct sound in flight which can be heard at 40 yards.
Although bird watchers enjoy and take pride in their ability to discern many bird species; it is not necessary to identify numerous bird species to hunt doves or waterfowl responsibly. In regard to identification, the hunter only has to recognize what he can shoot and cannot shoot.
Hunting dog enthusiasts place their dog at the top of the reasons why they hunt. Retrieving dogs are considerable investments in time and money. Hunting dogs quickly learn to distinguish between mourning doves and other birds; and this is an asset to the hunter. Shooting nongame would confuse retrievers which have learned through training and experience which birds to pay attention to and which to ignore.
Furthermore, dove hunters are not out there to shoot indiscriminately, waste expensive ammunition, and pay fines for shooting protected birds. They are out there to harvest mourning doves to eat, work their hunting dog and enjoy all the other aspects of the hunting experience.
“Hunters do not retrieve doves they kill or wound”
Humane Society of the US et al: Many hunters don’t bother to retrieve the dead or wounded birds.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Dove hunters are out in the field for the complete hunting experience and they are hopeful to return home with some doves to eat. Many dove hunters have dogs specifically bred and trained to retrieve downed birds. One of the top motivations for hunting among retriever enthusiasts is the use of their dog. Many of the persons in NY to whom a dove season would appeal are hunting dog enthusiasts. Nevertheless hunters who do not have a dog are also interested in a dove hunting opportunity, because although a dog is a great aide in dove hunting, doves are much easier for the dog-less hunter to retrieve than are ducks, geese, pheasant, woodcock, and grouse.
“We are not fanatics”
Humane Society of the US et al: “I am not an animal rights extremist” “I am just a concerned bird watcher….” “I am neither a hunter nor an anti-hunter but I question”……”I am a hunter, but”…..
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Having an open mind about hunting in general does not legitimize misrepresenting the facts about mourning dove hunting.
Maintain the Status Quo!
Humane Society of the US et al: Doves have been protected in this state for many years, let’s keep that protection…
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Mourning dove hunting in NY is sustainable and there is no biological or conservation reason to deny a hunting season.
1. Mourning doves are a ubiquitous species; populations are large, widespread, and stable across their range except in the Eastern Management Unit; which includes NY, where dove numbers have been increasing and spreading, a trend that has been observed for 50 years. Human activity favors mourning dove populations, thus the population will continue this upward trend or remain stable.
It is customary and within the scope and responsibilities of the DEC to create sustainable hunting opportunities. NY State Environmental Conservation Law (11-0303), the mission statement of the DEC Bureau of Wildlife, and its promulgated goals, are consistent with expanding hunting opportunity when it is sustainable.
1. Section 11-0303 of New York’s Environmental Conservation Law directs the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to consider the importance of fish and wildlife resources for recreational purposes.
2. Additionally, the Department lists as one of the goals of the Bureau of Wildlife: To ensure that we provide sustainable uses of New York’s wildlife.
3. The NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife’s stated mission is “To provide the people of New York the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of the wildlife of the State, now and in the future.”
In addition the Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation Executive Order 13443 of August 16, 2007 directs the Department of the Interior and its component agencies, bureaus and offices “to facilitate the expansion and enhancement of hunting opportunities and the management of game species and their habitat.” Federal agencies shall work in coordination with the Sporting Conservation Council Federal Advisory Committee, State and Tribal Fish and Wildlife agencies and the public to achieve this goal. Agencies are required to consider the effect their actions have on hunting participation, consider the economic and recreational values of hunting, and manage wildlife and wildlife habitats on public lands in ways that will enhance hunting opportunities to the public. In addition, Federal agencies shall work with State and Tribal governments to establish goals to manage and conserve wildlife and their habitats to ensure healthy and productive populations, and in a manner that respects private property rights and provides opportunities for individuals to hunt those species.
New York’s doves are already subject to hunting and have been for many decades by hunters in other states.
1. Most mourning doves migrate, and all southern states hunt doves. Each August of every year, government biologists capture mourning doves across the country, affix a leg band containing a unique identification number, and release them. When hunters harvest a dove bearing a band, they report the ID number and the location they were hunting to the US Geological Service’s Bird Banding Laboratory. Banding data indicates that 3.7% of the doves banded in states that allow hunting them are reported to be harvested. However, 2% of the doves banded in the nine states that do not hunt doves are also reported to be harvested.
Over 2 million mourning doves have been banded since 1903 and over 90,000 bands have been recovered. Subsequent analyses have yielded excellent information on the migration routes of doves from virtually every breeding area (i.e. northern states such as New York).
Although some doves, usually the adult males in the north, do not migrate, the winter range of mourning doves is considered to be south of the thirty-ninth parallel a line that extends from Washington DC through Kansas and Carson City, Nevada.
Massachusetts is one of the nine states that does not allow dove hunting. However, 2,690 mourning doves banded on Cape Cod were determined to generally winter along the southern coastal plain from Virginia to Florida. As we have already emphasized – all southern states hunt doves…. Most of the doves hatched in New York generally winter in North Carolina and South Carolina.
2. In addition, states bordering NY hunt doves sustainably: Ohio, Ontario, Quebec, and Pennsylvania. In neighboring Ohio 8,600 hunters harvest 136,000 mourning doves; in Pennsylvania 18,000 hunters harvest 203,200 doves. In 2016, Quebec instated a 107 day hunting season, allowing hunters to harvest 8 mourning doves per day. Quebec’s population estimate for breeding mourning doves is 760,000 and the fall population is estimated to be 988,000. In 2013 Ontario, Canada reinstated dove hunting and it is estimated 1,200 to 2,000 hunters participate each year. Ontario’s breeding population of mourning doves is estimated to be 3.7 million and its spring (breeding) population is estimated to be 1.3 million.
“Not many hunters want to hunt doves”
Humane Society of the US et al: There is a “Lack of Interest” in hunting mourning doves.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: This premise is disingenuous and is not consistent with conservation. It is disingenuous because greater participation in dove hunting would not please anti-hunters. It is not consistent with conservation because overhunting is of concern, not under-hunting.
New York hunters are seeing more and more mourning doves while afield and a growing awareness about the hunting opportunity provided by this species is prompting considerable interest in a hunting season among the New York hunting community. It is not uncommon for the DEC to conduct outreach to increase public understanding, appreciation, and support of a species as a sustainable wildlife resource in New York State. Given the abundance and sustainability of mourning doves; there is no plausible reason not to conduct educational outreach on the subject of mourning dove hunting. Such outreach, conducted formally by the DEC itself, would generate even more interest in mourning dove hunting within the state.
“FWS and state wildlife agencies don’t know what they are doing” “Wildlife agencies pander to hunters”
Humane Society of the US et al: The mourning dove conservation regime is a “debacle.”
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: By dictionary definition, a “debacle” is a complete failure, especially because of bad planning and organization. This claim by the Humane Society is absurd.
Mourning dove populations are carefully monitored by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. During this monitoring, which has existed for many years alongside dove hunting; mourning dove populations have remained abundant without dropping precipitously; which indicates the existing dove conservation strategy is sound.
Furthermore, the US Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Shore and Upland Bird Support Task Force and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies periodically review and update mourning dove conservation needs, seek new information and add or adapt strategies as needed.
“Doves are used as live targets”
Humane Society of the US et al: Repeated references to dove hunting as “dove shooting;” and doves are killed for target practice.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: First of all, the signatories of our petition have affirmed they want a dove hunting season in NY; they will hunt doves responsibly; and they will use harvested doves for food.
By quoting and paraphrasing outdoor writers and hunters, the Humane Society and other opponents characterize dove hunting as target practice and support this charge by suggesting hunters do not eat doves because they are small, thereby fostering disapproval of dove hunting.
It is illegal to use wildlife as targets. Wanton Waste of migratory game birds is a violation of federal law and this law is enforced by both the NY DEC and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. See the next paragraph in italics. Because of the inherent nature of migratory game bird hunting, this law is relatively easy to enforce.
Wanton Waste
“No person shall kill or cripple any migratory game bird without making a reasonable effort to retrieve the bird and retain it in his/her actual custody. Wounded birds reduced to possession shall be killed immediately and included in the daily bag limit”.
“Hunters will shoot nesting doves”
Humane Society of the US et al: Hunters will shoot doves with eggs or nestlings….. Hunting can orphan chicks, who starve in the nest without their parents’ care.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response:
In the northern part of their distribution, i.e. NY, mourning doves do not readily nest in late summer and most are migratory. Autumn migration begins at the end of August and ends in November. Males and Females migrate separately, several weeks apart; juveniles of both genders depart first, followed by females and then adult males. Additionally, some adult males do not migrate at all and overwinter in the north. The FWS’s federal frameworks do not allow any state to set a mourning dove hunting season before September 1 or past January. By the time that hunting seasons begin in September, migration of adult females has already started.
Even in the event that doves are nesting or raising young, they are less vulnerable to hunting than non-nesting individuals that gather in flocks on agricultural lands. In a public hearing before the U.S. Department of Interior on June 21, 1978, John M. Anderson of the Sanctuary Department of the National Audubon Society said, “…doves that are nesting are much less vulnerable because they are more sedentary and seldom join the flocks feeding in fields where hunters are attempting to take them.” They tend to remain in the suburbs and around cemeteries where their nests are located.”
A three-year study conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and 27 state fish and wildlife agencies in response to a concern the September hunting might have adverse effects on dove populations shown that September hunting has little impact on dove populations. The observed difference between the
daily survival rates of individuals in the hunted areas and non-hunted areas was not statistically significant nor was the difference in survival of nests.
“Dove hunting will cause people to stop seeing doves at their birdfeeders”
Humane Society of the US et al: Doves are a beloved backyard songbird. Doves delight millions who enjoy bird watching or luring the gentle birds to birdfeeders…. Dove hunting will reduce the number of doves at bird feeders and/or make them more wary of coming to feeders….
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Mourning dove hunting will not impact anyone’s opportunity to view doves. Even in instances in which competition for a resource is a legitimate concern, the DEC is responsible for balancing the interests of different forms of wildlife- dependent recreation. Denying hunters the opportunity to harvest doves on this basis does not achieve balance because balancing does not mean eliminate one in favor of another.
The premise that dove hunting would impact the enjoyment of people who feed birds at home was the subject of a study in Ohio which concluded that hunting would not interfere with seeing doves at bird feeders.
Like all game birds, doves will quickly learn where to avoid humans and where to come near humans (e.g. wild mallards and geese in city parks). In U.S. states that allow dove hunting, doves come to bird feeders just like they do in states that don’t allow hunting doves.
“Hunters have enough game species”
Humane Society of the US et al: Hunters have at least 50 other game species to hunt, including pheasants, geese, ducks, woodcock, rails and snipes.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Doves and pigeons (family Columbidae) are recognized as game birds under the Migratory Bird Convention. Most other species, including all passerines (i.e. American robin, bluebirds, etc.), are not considered to be game species. (Of all the known birds, over 5,000 species, or roughly 60%, are passerines).
It is customary and the DEC’s responsibility is to expand hunting opportunity when it is sustainable; it is not their responsibility to throttle hunting opportunity for arbitrary and capricious reasons, such as, there are already 50 game species. There is no biological or conservation reason to deny a dove hunting season in NY.
This premise also does not consider the access or type of game available to an individual. For example, a hunter may have access to land supporting doves, but not ducks. Or, dove hunting may be suitable for an individual (or an aging retriever) to whom duck hunting is too strenuous.
“Doves don’t spread diseases; therefore there is no reason to hunt them”
Humane Society of the US et al: (Michael Markarian) Doves do not spread any diseases.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: The potential for mourning doves to spread diseases was a concern in the reintroduction of the socarro dove (Zenaida graysoni) – a species that has been classified as “Extinct in the Wild” by the IUCN since the early 1970’s. Mourning doves exist on the reintroduction site; therefore they were screened for the presence of potential disease pathogens that may not only interfere with the successful reintroduction of the socorro dove, but also with the ability of the species to establish a viable population post-introduction. These pathogens include: Plasmodium sp. (Avian Malaria), Chlamydophila psittaci (Chlamydiosis), Trichomonas gallinae (Trichomoniasis), and Avian Pox.
Approximately thirty-five diseases and parasites reported for humans involve birds as alternate hosts, with psittacosis, histopasmosis, and toxoplasmosis likely to involve doves (Herman 1982).
The mourning dove (Zenadia macroura) has a more probable potential for transmitting disease organisms to humans. This species is ubiquitous, migratory, and adaptable to rural, suburban, and urban human environments. (Otis 2008). They commonly use birdbaths and birdfeeders, which can readily bring them into contact with humans. Mourning doves can harbor West Nile Virus (Otis 2008), and there is concern that additional information is needed regarding their potential to be reservoirs of other significant zoonotic pathogens (Otis 2008). Other behavioral factors such as flocking and their tendency to congregate in large roosting sites could facilitate the intra- and the inter-flock transmission of pathogens (Otis 2008).
For more information please see the following link: http://nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/field_manual/chapter_25.pdf
“There is no reason to hunt doves” and/or “Doves do not interfere with people; therefore there is no reason to hunt them”
Humane Society of the US et al: Shooting doves is unnecessary and serves no wildlife management purpose and / or (Michael Markarian) Doves do not cause any problems, are not overpopulated, do not cause car accidents, and do not knock over trash cans.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Dove hunting is not done to manage social or biological overpopulation and we are not suggesting it is. However there is no biological or conservation reason to deny a hunting season in NY. Mourning doves are seldom a problem to agricultural crops. Most of the agricultural seed they eat are spillage left after harvest (“waste grain”}, livestock feeding or pasturing, or spillage around storage buildings.
However, doves have been a problem when they feed on newly sprouted cucumber seeds. They also have had a significant negative economic impact to the forest industry. Their use of coniferous seed species can significantly diminish regeneration in the wild and at commercial nurseries.
Nonlethal methods to control depredation usually fail and/or introduce harmful chemicals into the environment, and several methods have been tried for mourning doves. Unnatural colors applied to seeds did not discourage doves. Coating seeds with Arasan 42S had some degree of effect on discouraging doves, however. Burlap mats used to retain moisture temporarily prevent doves from consuming pine seeds; however the greatest seed loss to birds occurs when these mats are removed. When crops (stomachs) of doves shot around pine tree nurseries were examined, it was found they were feeding almost exclusively on pine seeds.
Doves have also been known to be a problem at airports for example: In NY, there were 47 plane collision strikes with mourning doves between June 29, 2012 and January 16, 2015.
We take issue with the notion that hunting is only acceptable when it serves a management purpose. A stipulation in NY State Environmental Conservation Law 11-0303 states the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) is to develop and carry out programs with due consideration of the importance of fish and wildlife resources for recreational purposes. Material published by the DEC indicates that goal of its Bureau of Wildlife is to provide sustainable uses of New York’s wildlife; and the bureau’s mission statement addresses providing opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of the wildlife of the state. In addition the Migratory Bird Treaty Act recognizes sport hunting as a legitimate use of a migratory bird resource.
Other goals indicated by the DEC address overpopulation, nuisance wildlife, public safety and disease. Although maintaining a closed season for mourning dove is not neglecting those matters; recreational hunting opportunity is also a goal and responsibility of the DEC.
“Mourning doves are like passenger pigeons”
Humane Society of the US et al: You already wiped out the passenger pigeon and it was thought that their population was so large.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Under modern regulated hunting the annual harvest of mourning doves is only 4 to 10 percent of the population. Annual reproduction (births) more than replaces annual harvest; as a matter of fact the population has been growing and spreading for 50 years while being subjected to regulated hunting.
“The DEC should promote wildlife watching, not hunting”
Humane Society of the US et al: The DEC should promote wildlife watching not hunting. Non-consumptive activities generate more revenue than hunting. Hunting is a minority activity and the DEC should put the majority first. New hunting seasons will forfeit revenue from non-hunters because hunting is a turn off.
Representatives of the Humane Society charge that wildlife agencies such as the DEC adopt policies and fund programs which favor hunters at the expense of non-hunters. According to them, this is unbalanced because wildlife watchers are more numerous than hunters and grossly outspend them; hunting activity impacts non-hunters, and additional hunting opportunity will further compromise non-hunters.
Anti-hunters have also argued that increasing hunting opportunity will reduce the state’s revenue, because, according to them, expanding hunting opportunity will make NY less appealing to wildlife watchers.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response:
The DEC and the FWS channel funds generated by hunting toward the conservation of non-game species; acquires land and installs facilities which are available to non-hunters; and administers programs of interest primarily to non-hunters, such as nature interpretation. To our knowledge, in NY, the cost of hunting programs and conservation of game species is oriented toward the hunter, not the public majority.
The premise that expanding hunting opportunity will deter wildlife watchers and thereby reduce revenue in the state is far-fetched and not founded in fact.
The Peace Dove
Humane Society of the US et al: The dove is a prominent religious symbol.
NY Dove Hunting’s response: Numerous animals are also symbols, religious or otherwise; however, in the United States animals are not protected for symbolic reasons. Animals are protected for biological or conservation reasons and there is no biological or conservation reason to deny a dove hunting season in NY.
Ironically, although the mourning dove is not hunted in NY, the prototype “Peace Dove” often released at wedding and funeral ceremonies, is an unprotected species, and as such they are subject to unlimited and unregulated hunting. As a game species, the mourning dove would be hunted, but the hunting would be regulated. As a matter of fact, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act would impose greater regulation of mourning dove hunting than other game species such as deer, turkey, etc.
Mourning doves are not white unless they carry a gene mutation and only superficially resemble the prototype Peace Dove. The geographic distribution of mourning doves is not consistent with the propaganda which indicates the Peace Dove referenced in the Bible was a mourning dove. There are dozens of species of Old World and New World Doves; however mourning doves are endemic to North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
In addition, several Christian churches organize mourning dove hunts including the Catholic Priest’s mourning dove hunt.
“Mourning doves are symbols; therefore they should not be hunted”
Humane Society of the US et al: “The mourning dove is the bird of peace, despite the peaceful symbolism of these songbirds; hunters kill more doves each year than any other animal”
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Many species are designated as symbols, including some that are hunted or raised for food.
Mourning doves are Wisconsin’s State Bird of Peace, but dove hunting is allowed there. South Dakota’s state bird is the ring-necked pheasant and this state is considered to be the pheasant hunting capitol of the world.
The reason more mourning doves are harvested than any other game species because they are the most abundant. Furthermore, this large harvest represents only four to ten percent of the mourning dove population and does not threaten their numbers. In fact, the mourning dove population is growing and spreading.
Symbols are arbitrary, usually of unknown or unverifiable origin, and arise from magical thinking. Many animals are considered to be symbols, including animals raised for food. The reasoning for designating symbols to particular animals is unknown and subject to each individuals imagination.
It is neither wise nor appropriate to consider symbols in policy. Such is not done in any other facet of government and dove hunting should not be an exception.
Below is a list of wildlife and domestic animals which are symbols. A list of “state birds” can be found at this link: http:/www.infoplease.com/ipa/AD801717.html
Adder – healing, life, energy, breath, transformation (also see snake).
Air Dragon – insight, inspiration, vitality.
Alligator – the Goddess
Ant – discipline, order, patience
Antelope – action
Armadillo – discriminating, empathy, personal protection, boundaries
Badger – aggressiveness
Bat – rebirth
Bear – intuition with instinct, primal power, sovereignty, introspection
Beaver – builder
Bee – celebration, community, organization
Beetle – resurrection, metamorphosis
Blackbird – mystic, understanding the energies of Mother Nature, enchantment, the Gateway, self-awareness
Blue Jay – proper use of power
Bluebird – confidence, happiness, modesty
Boar – direction, leadership, warrior spirit
Buffalo – abundance, prayer
Bull – beneficence, financial wealth, potency
Butterfly – metamorphosis
Canary – healing power of song, power of song and voice, musical
Cardinal – renewed vitality
Cat – detachment, guardianship, sensuality, mystery, magic, independence
Catbird – language, communication, opportunities
Chickadee – cheerful, seeker of truth
Chicken – fertility, sacrifice
Cock – sexuality, watchfulness, resurrection
Cow – the Goddess, motherhood, nourishment
Coyote – fool, jokester, trickster
Crane – creation through focus, longevity, patience, secret knowledge
Crow – magical, shape shifter, watchfulness, sacred law
Cuckoo – new fate
Deer-gentleness (see also Hind and Stag)
Dog- guidance, protection, loyalty, servant, service
Dolphin- Manna, the breath of life, life force
Dove- peace, maternity, prophecy
Dragonfly-illusion, dreamtime
Duck- comforting, maternal, protective
Eagle- Spirit, spirituality, renewal, intelligence, courage, illumination of Spirit, healing, creation
Earth Dragon- personal power, potential, riches
Elk – Stamina, strength, nobility, worrior spirit
Finch- multiplicity, new experiences and encounters
Fire Dragon0 energy, mastery, transmutation
Flicker- healing love, new growth
Fox- cunning, diplomacy, wilderness, camouflage, shape shifting, invisibility
Frog- sensitivity, hidden beauty and power, medicine, cleansing
Giraffe- farseeing, farsightedness
Goldfinch- connection with nature
Grosbeak- family relationships, healing old wounds
Grouse- sacred spiral, enlightenment, personal vision, personal vision
Hare – balance, intuition, rebirth (see also Rabbit)
Hawk- big picture, broad vision, recollection, nobility, cleansing, observance, messenger, guardianship
Heron- self- determination, self- reliance
Hind- femininity, gracefulness, subtlety
Horse- the Land, travel, unearthly power, personal power, the Goddess
Hummingbird- joy
Inchworm – quantitative
Kestrel- mental agility
Kingfisher- calm, peace, prosperity
Lizard- dreaming, subtlety of pereption, the Shadow
Loon- realizing dreams, imagination
Lynx- secret knowledge
Magpie- collector, occult knowledge, willful, wily
Martin- community peace, good luck
Meadowlark – cheerfulness, inner journey, sublimation
Moose- self- esteem, wisdom
Mountain goat- surefooted
Mountain lion- leadership, surefooted
Mouse- attention to detail, scrutiny, organization
Nuthatch – ethereal, grounded faith
Opossum – diversion
Oriole – positive energy
Otter – helpfulness, interpersonal, joy, play, female energy
Owl – critical (discerning) change, detachment, wisdom, clairvoyance, deception
Pelican – non-competitive, self-sacrificing, unselfishness
Pig (see boar or sow)
Porcupine – faith, innocence, trusting
Prairie Dog – community
Praying mantis – stillness
Pronghorn – adaptability
Rabbit - fear, fertility
Raccoon – disguise, masks, dexterity
Ram – achievement, breakthrough
Raven – initiation, magic, protection
Road Runner – technical
Robin – new growth
Rooster (see cock)
Salmon – rejuvenation, wisdom, inspiration
Seagull – communication, responsible behavior
Seal – longing, love, dilemma
Skunk – reputation, respected, self-respect
Snake – transmutation (see also Adder)
Sow – generosity, nourishment, discovery
Sparrow – nobility
Spider – weaver, creative, creativity
Squirrel – gathering, plans ahead, prepared
Stag – independence, pride, purification
Starling – sociable
Stork – birth, unspoken communication
Swallow – chattery, verbal
Swan – grace, beauty, emotional, soul, love, mystic
Swisher – accomplishment
Turtle – grounded, the Goddess, Mother Earth
Water Dragon – connection, depth, passion
Waxwing – gentleness
Weasel – stealth
Whale – record keeper
Wolf – teacher, intuition, learning, the Shadow self, pathfinder
Wren – cunning, humility, the God
Vulture – purification
Alder Tree – completeness, oracular
Apple Tree- a choice of beauty
Ash Tree- holistic, inner and outer worlds linked, macrocosm and microcosm
Aspen Tree- (white poplar) helps rebirth, prevention from illness
Beech Tree- old knowledge, old writing
Birch Tree- new start, beginning, cleansing, purification, protection of children
Blackthorn Tree- no choice however unpleasant, cleansing
Elder Tree- end in the beginning and beginning in the end, banishing, exorcism
Furze- good at collecting, associated with the Magpie
Grape Vine- prophesy, binding, fertility
Grove (group of trees revered or held sacred) – a sacred place, all knowledge available past, present and future
Hawthorn Tree- cleansing, chastity, protection
Hazel Tree- intuition, straight to the source
Heather – link to inner self
Holly Tree- best in the fight
Honeysuckle- hidden secret, way to inner knowledge
Ivy- search for self, spiral of the self
Oak tree- Strength, doorway to the mysteries, personal protection, positive purpose, solid protection
Reed- direct action
Rowan tree- empowerment, protection against enchantment, self- control
Silver fir tree- high views, long sight
Spindler Tree- sweetness and delight, sudden intelligence, enlightenment
Sea- the sea, travel maternal links
Willow tree- night vision, lunar rhythms, female aspects
Yew Tree- everlasting
The Humane Society of the United States has a section on their website about the topic of mourning dove hunting. Other entities use very similar arguments against dove hunting. This document is our response to the narrative promoted by those opposed to mourning dove hunting.
The “Useful Animal Argument”
Humane Society of the US et al: Doves are the farmer’s friend because they eat the seeds of nuisance plants…
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: In the early years of wildlife science, when it was in its infancy around the 1940’s; the theory of 1 or 2 biologists was that seed-eating birds, such as mourning doves, reduce the growth of nuisance plants. However, it has been known for many years that this is not true. As a matter of fact, to the contrary, seed-eating birds such as mourning doves are very efficient seed dispersers and actually spread the growth of both desirable and undesirable plants.
As a matter of fact, a mourning dove hunting season in NY would benefit some NY farmers, especially small family farms.
While it is a true mourning doves are not a crop pest; many agriculture producers are hunters. Farmers are often too busy to hunt; however the best dove hunting often is best just after the crops are harvested when farmers and their families have more time. Although other hunting seasons run after harvest, the peak of dove migration and dove hunting are directly associated with crop harvest and seed dispersal of wild plants. Unlike dove hunting, the peak hunting of other species is not directly associated with the crop harvest and seed dispersal of wild plants.
In addition, supplemental farm income is important to small family farms and in some cases necessary in order for these farms to stay in operation. The loss of small family farms and the transition to large corporate operations has broad impacts on the environment, the economy, and food quality.
Hunting is one form of supplemental farm income, and hunting is consistent with agriculture practices and rural culture. Dove hunting is used successfully in other states to produce supplemental farm income. An area three to five acres is sufficient to attract doves and allow enough hunters to turn a profit. There will be a greater chance guests will comply with landowner imposed boundary restrictions, because the doves will congregate around managed fields. This is preferably to guests wandering around a farmer’s property.
“The Meatiness Factor”
Humane Society of the US et al: Too small to provide “sustenance” and/or hunters don’t really eat doves because they are too small….
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: The desirability of a bird or animal for eating is not related to its size. If size of the game were a condition for harvest then NY hunters would no longer fish for perch, bluegill, or crappie nor hunt woodcock or snipe or harvest blue claw crabs, shrimp or bivalve shellfish such as clams, oysters, and scallops.
However, the level of difficulty to process and cook game does have some influence on its desirability. Mourning doves are flavorful, do not require marinades, aging, or tenderizing, and are easy to cook. Processing them does not produce a lot of feathers, blood, viscera, or strong odor. In addition the skin, meat, and bones are light therefore processing doves takes little time and does not require much physical effort or special knives and saws.
Sustenance is defined as food or drink that allows you to be alive. Three ounces of mourning dove meat contains 123 calories, 19.47 grams of protein, and 1.56 grams of fat. Dove meat is nutrient dense and is actually more nutritious per ounce than most other foods, including plant-based foods. Apparently early man knew that too because bones found in cave-like rock shelters in the vicinity of Lake Amistad in Val Verde County Texas indicate man used mourning doves for food for at least 9,000 years.
Our website has a section covering the topic of cooking doves and provides dove recipes. See: www.NYDoveHunting.weebly.com/doves-are-delicious.html
Mistaken Kill…
Humane Society of the US et al: Experienced bird watchers misidentify stationary birds while using binoculars, and since it is harder to discern birds in flight, especially without binoculars, hunters will shoot other species.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response:
Our petition stipulates that the DEC addresses responsible dove hunting. That would include the subject of identifying doves and avoiding shooting other birds. NY currently has a waterfowl identification course in its hunter education program, as do other states. That course could be amended to include mourning dove hunting, or a new course dedicated to mourning dove hunting could be implemented. States which allow dove hunting have educational channels addressing this and all facets of responsible dove hunting. These channels are hunter education courses, printed and online material. The DEC would provide similar information for a nominal cost which could be derived from a dove stamp or permit, a Pitman Robertson Grant, and hunting license revenue.
The ability to differentiate between species is implicit in all hunting. Duck hunters are called upon to distinguish between a wide variety of waterfowl, many of which look very much like one another and are fast flyers, without the use of binoculars.
Wildlife is easier to identify when it is close and doves are not shot from great distances. The maximum effective range of shotguns is only about 40 yards. The maximum range of the Venturi air shotgun is about 25 yards. In addition mourning doves make a distinct sound in flight which can be heard at 40 yards.
Although bird watchers enjoy and take pride in their ability to discern many bird species; it is not necessary to identify numerous bird species to hunt doves or waterfowl responsibly. In regard to identification, the hunter only has to recognize what he can shoot and cannot shoot.
Hunting dog enthusiasts place their dog at the top of the reasons why they hunt. Retrieving dogs are considerable investments in time and money. Hunting dogs quickly learn to distinguish between mourning doves and other birds; and this is an asset to the hunter. Shooting nongame would confuse retrievers which have learned through training and experience which birds to pay attention to and which to ignore.
Furthermore, dove hunters are not out there to shoot indiscriminately, waste expensive ammunition, and pay fines for shooting protected birds. They are out there to harvest mourning doves to eat, work their hunting dog and enjoy all the other aspects of the hunting experience.
“Hunters do not retrieve doves they kill or wound”
Humane Society of the US et al: Many hunters don’t bother to retrieve the dead or wounded birds.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Dove hunters are out in the field for the complete hunting experience and they are hopeful to return home with some doves to eat. Many dove hunters have dogs specifically bred and trained to retrieve downed birds. One of the top motivations for hunting among retriever enthusiasts is the use of their dog. Many of the persons in NY to whom a dove season would appeal are hunting dog enthusiasts. Nevertheless hunters who do not have a dog are also interested in a dove hunting opportunity, because although a dog is a great aide in dove hunting, doves are much easier for the dog-less hunter to retrieve than are ducks, geese, pheasant, woodcock, and grouse.
“We are not fanatics”
Humane Society of the US et al: “I am not an animal rights extremist” “I am just a concerned bird watcher….” “I am neither a hunter nor an anti-hunter but I question”……”I am a hunter, but”…..
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Having an open mind about hunting in general does not legitimize misrepresenting the facts about mourning dove hunting.
Maintain the Status Quo!
Humane Society of the US et al: Doves have been protected in this state for many years, let’s keep that protection…
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Mourning dove hunting in NY is sustainable and there is no biological or conservation reason to deny a hunting season.
1. Mourning doves are a ubiquitous species; populations are large, widespread, and stable across their range except in the Eastern Management Unit; which includes NY, where dove numbers have been increasing and spreading, a trend that has been observed for 50 years. Human activity favors mourning dove populations, thus the population will continue this upward trend or remain stable.
It is customary and within the scope and responsibilities of the DEC to create sustainable hunting opportunities. NY State Environmental Conservation Law (11-0303), the mission statement of the DEC Bureau of Wildlife, and its promulgated goals, are consistent with expanding hunting opportunity when it is sustainable.
1. Section 11-0303 of New York’s Environmental Conservation Law directs the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to consider the importance of fish and wildlife resources for recreational purposes.
2. Additionally, the Department lists as one of the goals of the Bureau of Wildlife: To ensure that we provide sustainable uses of New York’s wildlife.
3. The NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife’s stated mission is “To provide the people of New York the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of the wildlife of the State, now and in the future.”
In addition the Hunting Heritage and Wildlife Conservation Executive Order 13443 of August 16, 2007 directs the Department of the Interior and its component agencies, bureaus and offices “to facilitate the expansion and enhancement of hunting opportunities and the management of game species and their habitat.” Federal agencies shall work in coordination with the Sporting Conservation Council Federal Advisory Committee, State and Tribal Fish and Wildlife agencies and the public to achieve this goal. Agencies are required to consider the effect their actions have on hunting participation, consider the economic and recreational values of hunting, and manage wildlife and wildlife habitats on public lands in ways that will enhance hunting opportunities to the public. In addition, Federal agencies shall work with State and Tribal governments to establish goals to manage and conserve wildlife and their habitats to ensure healthy and productive populations, and in a manner that respects private property rights and provides opportunities for individuals to hunt those species.
New York’s doves are already subject to hunting and have been for many decades by hunters in other states.
1. Most mourning doves migrate, and all southern states hunt doves. Each August of every year, government biologists capture mourning doves across the country, affix a leg band containing a unique identification number, and release them. When hunters harvest a dove bearing a band, they report the ID number and the location they were hunting to the US Geological Service’s Bird Banding Laboratory. Banding data indicates that 3.7% of the doves banded in states that allow hunting them are reported to be harvested. However, 2% of the doves banded in the nine states that do not hunt doves are also reported to be harvested.
Over 2 million mourning doves have been banded since 1903 and over 90,000 bands have been recovered. Subsequent analyses have yielded excellent information on the migration routes of doves from virtually every breeding area (i.e. northern states such as New York).
Although some doves, usually the adult males in the north, do not migrate, the winter range of mourning doves is considered to be south of the thirty-ninth parallel a line that extends from Washington DC through Kansas and Carson City, Nevada.
Massachusetts is one of the nine states that does not allow dove hunting. However, 2,690 mourning doves banded on Cape Cod were determined to generally winter along the southern coastal plain from Virginia to Florida. As we have already emphasized – all southern states hunt doves…. Most of the doves hatched in New York generally winter in North Carolina and South Carolina.
2. In addition, states bordering NY hunt doves sustainably: Ohio, Ontario, Quebec, and Pennsylvania. In neighboring Ohio 8,600 hunters harvest 136,000 mourning doves; in Pennsylvania 18,000 hunters harvest 203,200 doves. In 2016, Quebec instated a 107 day hunting season, allowing hunters to harvest 8 mourning doves per day. Quebec’s population estimate for breeding mourning doves is 760,000 and the fall population is estimated to be 988,000. In 2013 Ontario, Canada reinstated dove hunting and it is estimated 1,200 to 2,000 hunters participate each year. Ontario’s breeding population of mourning doves is estimated to be 3.7 million and its spring (breeding) population is estimated to be 1.3 million.
“Not many hunters want to hunt doves”
Humane Society of the US et al: There is a “Lack of Interest” in hunting mourning doves.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: This premise is disingenuous and is not consistent with conservation. It is disingenuous because greater participation in dove hunting would not please anti-hunters. It is not consistent with conservation because overhunting is of concern, not under-hunting.
New York hunters are seeing more and more mourning doves while afield and a growing awareness about the hunting opportunity provided by this species is prompting considerable interest in a hunting season among the New York hunting community. It is not uncommon for the DEC to conduct outreach to increase public understanding, appreciation, and support of a species as a sustainable wildlife resource in New York State. Given the abundance and sustainability of mourning doves; there is no plausible reason not to conduct educational outreach on the subject of mourning dove hunting. Such outreach, conducted formally by the DEC itself, would generate even more interest in mourning dove hunting within the state.
“FWS and state wildlife agencies don’t know what they are doing” “Wildlife agencies pander to hunters”
Humane Society of the US et al: The mourning dove conservation regime is a “debacle.”
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: By dictionary definition, a “debacle” is a complete failure, especially because of bad planning and organization. This claim by the Humane Society is absurd.
Mourning dove populations are carefully monitored by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. During this monitoring, which has existed for many years alongside dove hunting; mourning dove populations have remained abundant without dropping precipitously; which indicates the existing dove conservation strategy is sound.
Furthermore, the US Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Shore and Upland Bird Support Task Force and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies periodically review and update mourning dove conservation needs, seek new information and add or adapt strategies as needed.
“Doves are used as live targets”
Humane Society of the US et al: Repeated references to dove hunting as “dove shooting;” and doves are killed for target practice.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: First of all, the signatories of our petition have affirmed they want a dove hunting season in NY; they will hunt doves responsibly; and they will use harvested doves for food.
By quoting and paraphrasing outdoor writers and hunters, the Humane Society and other opponents characterize dove hunting as target practice and support this charge by suggesting hunters do not eat doves because they are small, thereby fostering disapproval of dove hunting.
It is illegal to use wildlife as targets. Wanton Waste of migratory game birds is a violation of federal law and this law is enforced by both the NY DEC and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. See the next paragraph in italics. Because of the inherent nature of migratory game bird hunting, this law is relatively easy to enforce.
Wanton Waste
“No person shall kill or cripple any migratory game bird without making a reasonable effort to retrieve the bird and retain it in his/her actual custody. Wounded birds reduced to possession shall be killed immediately and included in the daily bag limit”.
“Hunters will shoot nesting doves”
Humane Society of the US et al: Hunters will shoot doves with eggs or nestlings….. Hunting can orphan chicks, who starve in the nest without their parents’ care.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response:
In the northern part of their distribution, i.e. NY, mourning doves do not readily nest in late summer and most are migratory. Autumn migration begins at the end of August and ends in November. Males and Females migrate separately, several weeks apart; juveniles of both genders depart first, followed by females and then adult males. Additionally, some adult males do not migrate at all and overwinter in the north. The FWS’s federal frameworks do not allow any state to set a mourning dove hunting season before September 1 or past January. By the time that hunting seasons begin in September, migration of adult females has already started.
Even in the event that doves are nesting or raising young, they are less vulnerable to hunting than non-nesting individuals that gather in flocks on agricultural lands. In a public hearing before the U.S. Department of Interior on June 21, 1978, John M. Anderson of the Sanctuary Department of the National Audubon Society said, “…doves that are nesting are much less vulnerable because they are more sedentary and seldom join the flocks feeding in fields where hunters are attempting to take them.” They tend to remain in the suburbs and around cemeteries where their nests are located.”
A three-year study conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and 27 state fish and wildlife agencies in response to a concern the September hunting might have adverse effects on dove populations shown that September hunting has little impact on dove populations. The observed difference between the
daily survival rates of individuals in the hunted areas and non-hunted areas was not statistically significant nor was the difference in survival of nests.
“Dove hunting will cause people to stop seeing doves at their birdfeeders”
Humane Society of the US et al: Doves are a beloved backyard songbird. Doves delight millions who enjoy bird watching or luring the gentle birds to birdfeeders…. Dove hunting will reduce the number of doves at bird feeders and/or make them more wary of coming to feeders….
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Mourning dove hunting will not impact anyone’s opportunity to view doves. Even in instances in which competition for a resource is a legitimate concern, the DEC is responsible for balancing the interests of different forms of wildlife- dependent recreation. Denying hunters the opportunity to harvest doves on this basis does not achieve balance because balancing does not mean eliminate one in favor of another.
The premise that dove hunting would impact the enjoyment of people who feed birds at home was the subject of a study in Ohio which concluded that hunting would not interfere with seeing doves at bird feeders.
Like all game birds, doves will quickly learn where to avoid humans and where to come near humans (e.g. wild mallards and geese in city parks). In U.S. states that allow dove hunting, doves come to bird feeders just like they do in states that don’t allow hunting doves.
“Hunters have enough game species”
Humane Society of the US et al: Hunters have at least 50 other game species to hunt, including pheasants, geese, ducks, woodcock, rails and snipes.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Doves and pigeons (family Columbidae) are recognized as game birds under the Migratory Bird Convention. Most other species, including all passerines (i.e. American robin, bluebirds, etc.), are not considered to be game species. (Of all the known birds, over 5,000 species, or roughly 60%, are passerines).
It is customary and the DEC’s responsibility is to expand hunting opportunity when it is sustainable; it is not their responsibility to throttle hunting opportunity for arbitrary and capricious reasons, such as, there are already 50 game species. There is no biological or conservation reason to deny a dove hunting season in NY.
This premise also does not consider the access or type of game available to an individual. For example, a hunter may have access to land supporting doves, but not ducks. Or, dove hunting may be suitable for an individual (or an aging retriever) to whom duck hunting is too strenuous.
“Doves don’t spread diseases; therefore there is no reason to hunt them”
Humane Society of the US et al: (Michael Markarian) Doves do not spread any diseases.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: The potential for mourning doves to spread diseases was a concern in the reintroduction of the socarro dove (Zenaida graysoni) – a species that has been classified as “Extinct in the Wild” by the IUCN since the early 1970’s. Mourning doves exist on the reintroduction site; therefore they were screened for the presence of potential disease pathogens that may not only interfere with the successful reintroduction of the socorro dove, but also with the ability of the species to establish a viable population post-introduction. These pathogens include: Plasmodium sp. (Avian Malaria), Chlamydophila psittaci (Chlamydiosis), Trichomonas gallinae (Trichomoniasis), and Avian Pox.
Approximately thirty-five diseases and parasites reported for humans involve birds as alternate hosts, with psittacosis, histopasmosis, and toxoplasmosis likely to involve doves (Herman 1982).
The mourning dove (Zenadia macroura) has a more probable potential for transmitting disease organisms to humans. This species is ubiquitous, migratory, and adaptable to rural, suburban, and urban human environments. (Otis 2008). They commonly use birdbaths and birdfeeders, which can readily bring them into contact with humans. Mourning doves can harbor West Nile Virus (Otis 2008), and there is concern that additional information is needed regarding their potential to be reservoirs of other significant zoonotic pathogens (Otis 2008). Other behavioral factors such as flocking and their tendency to congregate in large roosting sites could facilitate the intra- and the inter-flock transmission of pathogens (Otis 2008).
For more information please see the following link: http://nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/field_manual/chapter_25.pdf
“There is no reason to hunt doves” and/or “Doves do not interfere with people; therefore there is no reason to hunt them”
Humane Society of the US et al: Shooting doves is unnecessary and serves no wildlife management purpose and / or (Michael Markarian) Doves do not cause any problems, are not overpopulated, do not cause car accidents, and do not knock over trash cans.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Dove hunting is not done to manage social or biological overpopulation and we are not suggesting it is. However there is no biological or conservation reason to deny a hunting season in NY. Mourning doves are seldom a problem to agricultural crops. Most of the agricultural seed they eat are spillage left after harvest (“waste grain”}, livestock feeding or pasturing, or spillage around storage buildings.
However, doves have been a problem when they feed on newly sprouted cucumber seeds. They also have had a significant negative economic impact to the forest industry. Their use of coniferous seed species can significantly diminish regeneration in the wild and at commercial nurseries.
Nonlethal methods to control depredation usually fail and/or introduce harmful chemicals into the environment, and several methods have been tried for mourning doves. Unnatural colors applied to seeds did not discourage doves. Coating seeds with Arasan 42S had some degree of effect on discouraging doves, however. Burlap mats used to retain moisture temporarily prevent doves from consuming pine seeds; however the greatest seed loss to birds occurs when these mats are removed. When crops (stomachs) of doves shot around pine tree nurseries were examined, it was found they were feeding almost exclusively on pine seeds.
Doves have also been known to be a problem at airports for example: In NY, there were 47 plane collision strikes with mourning doves between June 29, 2012 and January 16, 2015.
We take issue with the notion that hunting is only acceptable when it serves a management purpose. A stipulation in NY State Environmental Conservation Law 11-0303 states the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) is to develop and carry out programs with due consideration of the importance of fish and wildlife resources for recreational purposes. Material published by the DEC indicates that goal of its Bureau of Wildlife is to provide sustainable uses of New York’s wildlife; and the bureau’s mission statement addresses providing opportunity to enjoy all the benefits of the wildlife of the state. In addition the Migratory Bird Treaty Act recognizes sport hunting as a legitimate use of a migratory bird resource.
Other goals indicated by the DEC address overpopulation, nuisance wildlife, public safety and disease. Although maintaining a closed season for mourning dove is not neglecting those matters; recreational hunting opportunity is also a goal and responsibility of the DEC.
“Mourning doves are like passenger pigeons”
Humane Society of the US et al: You already wiped out the passenger pigeon and it was thought that their population was so large.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Under modern regulated hunting the annual harvest of mourning doves is only 4 to 10 percent of the population. Annual reproduction (births) more than replaces annual harvest; as a matter of fact the population has been growing and spreading for 50 years while being subjected to regulated hunting.
“The DEC should promote wildlife watching, not hunting”
Humane Society of the US et al: The DEC should promote wildlife watching not hunting. Non-consumptive activities generate more revenue than hunting. Hunting is a minority activity and the DEC should put the majority first. New hunting seasons will forfeit revenue from non-hunters because hunting is a turn off.
Representatives of the Humane Society charge that wildlife agencies such as the DEC adopt policies and fund programs which favor hunters at the expense of non-hunters. According to them, this is unbalanced because wildlife watchers are more numerous than hunters and grossly outspend them; hunting activity impacts non-hunters, and additional hunting opportunity will further compromise non-hunters.
Anti-hunters have also argued that increasing hunting opportunity will reduce the state’s revenue, because, according to them, expanding hunting opportunity will make NY less appealing to wildlife watchers.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response:
The DEC and the FWS channel funds generated by hunting toward the conservation of non-game species; acquires land and installs facilities which are available to non-hunters; and administers programs of interest primarily to non-hunters, such as nature interpretation. To our knowledge, in NY, the cost of hunting programs and conservation of game species is oriented toward the hunter, not the public majority.
The premise that expanding hunting opportunity will deter wildlife watchers and thereby reduce revenue in the state is far-fetched and not founded in fact.
The Peace Dove
Humane Society of the US et al: The dove is a prominent religious symbol.
NY Dove Hunting’s response: Numerous animals are also symbols, religious or otherwise; however, in the United States animals are not protected for symbolic reasons. Animals are protected for biological or conservation reasons and there is no biological or conservation reason to deny a dove hunting season in NY.
Ironically, although the mourning dove is not hunted in NY, the prototype “Peace Dove” often released at wedding and funeral ceremonies, is an unprotected species, and as such they are subject to unlimited and unregulated hunting. As a game species, the mourning dove would be hunted, but the hunting would be regulated. As a matter of fact, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act would impose greater regulation of mourning dove hunting than other game species such as deer, turkey, etc.
Mourning doves are not white unless they carry a gene mutation and only superficially resemble the prototype Peace Dove. The geographic distribution of mourning doves is not consistent with the propaganda which indicates the Peace Dove referenced in the Bible was a mourning dove. There are dozens of species of Old World and New World Doves; however mourning doves are endemic to North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
In addition, several Christian churches organize mourning dove hunts including the Catholic Priest’s mourning dove hunt.
“Mourning doves are symbols; therefore they should not be hunted”
Humane Society of the US et al: “The mourning dove is the bird of peace, despite the peaceful symbolism of these songbirds; hunters kill more doves each year than any other animal”
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Many species are designated as symbols, including some that are hunted or raised for food.
Mourning doves are Wisconsin’s State Bird of Peace, but dove hunting is allowed there. South Dakota’s state bird is the ring-necked pheasant and this state is considered to be the pheasant hunting capitol of the world.
The reason more mourning doves are harvested than any other game species because they are the most abundant. Furthermore, this large harvest represents only four to ten percent of the mourning dove population and does not threaten their numbers. In fact, the mourning dove population is growing and spreading.
Symbols are arbitrary, usually of unknown or unverifiable origin, and arise from magical thinking. Many animals are considered to be symbols, including animals raised for food. The reasoning for designating symbols to particular animals is unknown and subject to each individuals imagination.
It is neither wise nor appropriate to consider symbols in policy. Such is not done in any other facet of government and dove hunting should not be an exception.
Below is a list of wildlife and domestic animals which are symbols. A list of “state birds” can be found at this link: http:/www.infoplease.com/ipa/AD801717.html
Adder – healing, life, energy, breath, transformation (also see snake).
Air Dragon – insight, inspiration, vitality.
Alligator – the Goddess
Ant – discipline, order, patience
Antelope – action
Armadillo – discriminating, empathy, personal protection, boundaries
Badger – aggressiveness
Bat – rebirth
Bear – intuition with instinct, primal power, sovereignty, introspection
Beaver – builder
Bee – celebration, community, organization
Beetle – resurrection, metamorphosis
Blackbird – mystic, understanding the energies of Mother Nature, enchantment, the Gateway, self-awareness
Blue Jay – proper use of power
Bluebird – confidence, happiness, modesty
Boar – direction, leadership, warrior spirit
Buffalo – abundance, prayer
Bull – beneficence, financial wealth, potency
Butterfly – metamorphosis
Canary – healing power of song, power of song and voice, musical
Cardinal – renewed vitality
Cat – detachment, guardianship, sensuality, mystery, magic, independence
Catbird – language, communication, opportunities
Chickadee – cheerful, seeker of truth
Chicken – fertility, sacrifice
Cock – sexuality, watchfulness, resurrection
Cow – the Goddess, motherhood, nourishment
Coyote – fool, jokester, trickster
Crane – creation through focus, longevity, patience, secret knowledge
Crow – magical, shape shifter, watchfulness, sacred law
Cuckoo – new fate
Deer-gentleness (see also Hind and Stag)
Dog- guidance, protection, loyalty, servant, service
Dolphin- Manna, the breath of life, life force
Dove- peace, maternity, prophecy
Dragonfly-illusion, dreamtime
Duck- comforting, maternal, protective
Eagle- Spirit, spirituality, renewal, intelligence, courage, illumination of Spirit, healing, creation
Earth Dragon- personal power, potential, riches
Elk – Stamina, strength, nobility, worrior spirit
Finch- multiplicity, new experiences and encounters
Fire Dragon0 energy, mastery, transmutation
Flicker- healing love, new growth
Fox- cunning, diplomacy, wilderness, camouflage, shape shifting, invisibility
Frog- sensitivity, hidden beauty and power, medicine, cleansing
Giraffe- farseeing, farsightedness
Goldfinch- connection with nature
Grosbeak- family relationships, healing old wounds
Grouse- sacred spiral, enlightenment, personal vision, personal vision
Hare – balance, intuition, rebirth (see also Rabbit)
Hawk- big picture, broad vision, recollection, nobility, cleansing, observance, messenger, guardianship
Heron- self- determination, self- reliance
Hind- femininity, gracefulness, subtlety
Horse- the Land, travel, unearthly power, personal power, the Goddess
Hummingbird- joy
Inchworm – quantitative
Kestrel- mental agility
Kingfisher- calm, peace, prosperity
Lizard- dreaming, subtlety of pereption, the Shadow
Loon- realizing dreams, imagination
Lynx- secret knowledge
Magpie- collector, occult knowledge, willful, wily
Martin- community peace, good luck
Meadowlark – cheerfulness, inner journey, sublimation
Moose- self- esteem, wisdom
Mountain goat- surefooted
Mountain lion- leadership, surefooted
Mouse- attention to detail, scrutiny, organization
Nuthatch – ethereal, grounded faith
Opossum – diversion
Oriole – positive energy
Otter – helpfulness, interpersonal, joy, play, female energy
Owl – critical (discerning) change, detachment, wisdom, clairvoyance, deception
Pelican – non-competitive, self-sacrificing, unselfishness
Pig (see boar or sow)
Porcupine – faith, innocence, trusting
Prairie Dog – community
Praying mantis – stillness
Pronghorn – adaptability
Rabbit - fear, fertility
Raccoon – disguise, masks, dexterity
Ram – achievement, breakthrough
Raven – initiation, magic, protection
Road Runner – technical
Robin – new growth
Rooster (see cock)
Salmon – rejuvenation, wisdom, inspiration
Seagull – communication, responsible behavior
Seal – longing, love, dilemma
Skunk – reputation, respected, self-respect
Snake – transmutation (see also Adder)
Sow – generosity, nourishment, discovery
Sparrow – nobility
Spider – weaver, creative, creativity
Squirrel – gathering, plans ahead, prepared
Stag – independence, pride, purification
Starling – sociable
Stork – birth, unspoken communication
Swallow – chattery, verbal
Swan – grace, beauty, emotional, soul, love, mystic
Swisher – accomplishment
Turtle – grounded, the Goddess, Mother Earth
Water Dragon – connection, depth, passion
Waxwing – gentleness
Weasel – stealth
Whale – record keeper
Wolf – teacher, intuition, learning, the Shadow self, pathfinder
Wren – cunning, humility, the God
Vulture – purification
Alder Tree – completeness, oracular
Apple Tree- a choice of beauty
Ash Tree- holistic, inner and outer worlds linked, macrocosm and microcosm
Aspen Tree- (white poplar) helps rebirth, prevention from illness
Beech Tree- old knowledge, old writing
Birch Tree- new start, beginning, cleansing, purification, protection of children
Blackthorn Tree- no choice however unpleasant, cleansing
Elder Tree- end in the beginning and beginning in the end, banishing, exorcism
Furze- good at collecting, associated with the Magpie
Grape Vine- prophesy, binding, fertility
Grove (group of trees revered or held sacred) – a sacred place, all knowledge available past, present and future
Hawthorn Tree- cleansing, chastity, protection
Hazel Tree- intuition, straight to the source
Heather – link to inner self
Holly Tree- best in the fight
Honeysuckle- hidden secret, way to inner knowledge
Ivy- search for self, spiral of the self
Oak tree- Strength, doorway to the mysteries, personal protection, positive purpose, solid protection
Reed- direct action
Rowan tree- empowerment, protection against enchantment, self- control
Silver fir tree- high views, long sight
Spindler Tree- sweetness and delight, sudden intelligence, enlightenment
Sea- the sea, travel maternal links
Willow tree- night vision, lunar rhythms, female aspects
Yew Tree- everlasting