NYDH Challenges HSUS Dove Narrative
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 history of lobbying against mourning dove hunting and state-run pheasant stocking programs.
State chapters of the HSUS are well organized and comprise of paid staff, including attorneys.
State-level anti-bird hunting initiatives by the HSUS are supported by the Parent Organization, as well as by Regional Officers.
In New York, attacks on pheasant stocking were last launched in 2008, and this attempt nearly succeeded in the complete elimination of NY’s pheasant stocking program.
Every January, during state budget discussions, the pheasant stocking program is threatened under the false contention it is funded by tax payers and/or is a revenue drain. For the facts on why these contentions are patently false, refer to the material about the subject on our website.
The next serious attack on the state pheasant stocking program is likely to occur in 2019; when the 10-year ring-necked pheasant plan is coming up for revision and discussions will begin.
During 2019 we will not tolerate misinformation promulgated by outdoor writers and hunting organizations, as well as newspapers and anti-hunting organizations. Our supporters and advocates need to be aware and prepared for this inevitable public opinion battle.
To be as strong as possible in 2019, we need to start now. Learn the facts and do not tolerate passing glances of misinformation about the subject of pheasant stocking or wild pheasant conservation. Do not fall for refrains about “sticking together” or that our initiatives need the good graces of certain organizations. We are in this alone, and the sooner that is understood, the sooner we can make progress in the matter.
We have already addressed the HS Pheasant narrative, point for point, and that report is published on our website along with additional reports about the topic.
In respect to the mourning dove hunting initiative, the Humane Society, including their Regional Office and NY State Chapter have previously been proactive in opposing dove hunting in NY.
Casey Phieffer as regional director covering NY, has testified against both pheasant stocking and dove hunting. Patrick Kwan, who is presently an administer for the NY state chapter of the Humane Society, was previously the chapters Legislative Coordinator. Kwan was directly involved in testimony and actions to eliminate the state pheasant stocking program in 2008, and led the charge in the lobby efforts against legislation which would have allowed the DEC to set a dove hunting season. As a matter of fact, Kwan credits the defeat of Senate bill-6968, which he refers to as the “NRA’s NY Dove Hunting Bill” to the state chapters Humane Lobby Day held each spring. When Senate bill 6968 was pending from 2010 to 2012, hundreds of members of the state chapter converged on Albany in April of 2010, 2011, and 2012. Each member visited each of the 212 Legislatures individually with a consistent message – Do Not Pass the Dove Hunting Bill, and discussed the Humane Society’s Dove Hunting narrative.
The Humane Society’s lobby days during April 2010, 2011, and 2012 are also interesting, because the Legislature who sponsored it was also the Chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee. This chairmen decides which hunting bills are worthy of progressing. So at the time senate bill 6968 was pending, it was held up by the chairmen, who was sponsoring the Humane Society’s “Humane Lobby Day”, which had at the top of their agenda, to stop the dove hunting bill. Fortunately, that senator was voted out of office since then.
NY hunters do indeed have their own structured lobby opportunities. Although the Sportsmen’s Legislative Awareness Day has been discontinued; there is still the “Legislative Breakfast” and “Sportsmen’s Day”.
However, those in attendance at the Legislative Breakfast and Sportsmen’s Day do not give a “rat’s ass” about dove hunting.
That has also been reflected in organizations representing hunters which testified at the annual Joint Budget Hearing . In 2014 and 2015 those attending demanded crossbow hunting and a reduction in the price of hunting licenses – both which the Governor made happen by incorporating them into his budget. In 2016 only one organization representing hunters was present. Again, there was no mention of dove hunting, but instead there was a push for 2 additional weeks of crossbow deer hunting, expanded snowmobile and atv opportunities; and for access in the Adirondacks because deer hunters in their seventies need it.
The earlier mentioned Patrick Kwan is still employed by the NY chapter of the Humane Society, however he is no longer the NY Director of legislative Affairs. The new director is Brian Shapiro. There has been no recent structured lobbying against dove hunting and pheasant stocking; however Shapiro’s recent statements about NY crow hunting contests, such as the Greene NY “Crow Down”, give a hint of his strategy.
Shapiro, by asserting in reference to the Crow Down, that the DEC is not balancing the interests of bird watchers and hunters is trying to create a deep rift between bird watchers and bird hunters. We can expect this to be the same case he delivers against dove hunting and possibly even pheasant stocking. Keep in mind, not only is the chapter bank-rolled by the parent organization, but the NY chapter also employs the Yale Animal Attorney Professor , who is admitted to the NY Bar (is a NY Lawyer), John Lovorn. The Facebook page of “Humane Society – New York” has 7,554 followers. Casey Phieffer, Humane Society Regional Director of wildlife abuse had once indicated the NY chapter has 700,000 paid members.
State chapters of the HSUS are well organized and comprise of paid staff, including attorneys.
State-level anti-bird hunting initiatives by the HSUS are supported by the Parent Organization, as well as by Regional Officers.
In New York, attacks on pheasant stocking were last launched in 2008, and this attempt nearly succeeded in the complete elimination of NY’s pheasant stocking program.
Every January, during state budget discussions, the pheasant stocking program is threatened under the false contention it is funded by tax payers and/or is a revenue drain. For the facts on why these contentions are patently false, refer to the material about the subject on our website.
The next serious attack on the state pheasant stocking program is likely to occur in 2019; when the 10-year ring-necked pheasant plan is coming up for revision and discussions will begin.
During 2019 we will not tolerate misinformation promulgated by outdoor writers and hunting organizations, as well as newspapers and anti-hunting organizations. Our supporters and advocates need to be aware and prepared for this inevitable public opinion battle.
To be as strong as possible in 2019, we need to start now. Learn the facts and do not tolerate passing glances of misinformation about the subject of pheasant stocking or wild pheasant conservation. Do not fall for refrains about “sticking together” or that our initiatives need the good graces of certain organizations. We are in this alone, and the sooner that is understood, the sooner we can make progress in the matter.
We have already addressed the HS Pheasant narrative, point for point, and that report is published on our website along with additional reports about the topic.
In respect to the mourning dove hunting initiative, the Humane Society, including their Regional Office and NY State Chapter have previously been proactive in opposing dove hunting in NY.
Casey Phieffer as regional director covering NY, has testified against both pheasant stocking and dove hunting. Patrick Kwan, who is presently an administer for the NY state chapter of the Humane Society, was previously the chapters Legislative Coordinator. Kwan was directly involved in testimony and actions to eliminate the state pheasant stocking program in 2008, and led the charge in the lobby efforts against legislation which would have allowed the DEC to set a dove hunting season. As a matter of fact, Kwan credits the defeat of Senate bill-6968, which he refers to as the “NRA’s NY Dove Hunting Bill” to the state chapters Humane Lobby Day held each spring. When Senate bill 6968 was pending from 2010 to 2012, hundreds of members of the state chapter converged on Albany in April of 2010, 2011, and 2012. Each member visited each of the 212 Legislatures individually with a consistent message – Do Not Pass the Dove Hunting Bill, and discussed the Humane Society’s Dove Hunting narrative.
The Humane Society’s lobby days during April 2010, 2011, and 2012 are also interesting, because the Legislature who sponsored it was also the Chairman of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee. This chairmen decides which hunting bills are worthy of progressing. So at the time senate bill 6968 was pending, it was held up by the chairmen, who was sponsoring the Humane Society’s “Humane Lobby Day”, which had at the top of their agenda, to stop the dove hunting bill. Fortunately, that senator was voted out of office since then.
NY hunters do indeed have their own structured lobby opportunities. Although the Sportsmen’s Legislative Awareness Day has been discontinued; there is still the “Legislative Breakfast” and “Sportsmen’s Day”.
However, those in attendance at the Legislative Breakfast and Sportsmen’s Day do not give a “rat’s ass” about dove hunting.
That has also been reflected in organizations representing hunters which testified at the annual Joint Budget Hearing . In 2014 and 2015 those attending demanded crossbow hunting and a reduction in the price of hunting licenses – both which the Governor made happen by incorporating them into his budget. In 2016 only one organization representing hunters was present. Again, there was no mention of dove hunting, but instead there was a push for 2 additional weeks of crossbow deer hunting, expanded snowmobile and atv opportunities; and for access in the Adirondacks because deer hunters in their seventies need it.
The earlier mentioned Patrick Kwan is still employed by the NY chapter of the Humane Society, however he is no longer the NY Director of legislative Affairs. The new director is Brian Shapiro. There has been no recent structured lobbying against dove hunting and pheasant stocking; however Shapiro’s recent statements about NY crow hunting contests, such as the Greene NY “Crow Down”, give a hint of his strategy.
Shapiro, by asserting in reference to the Crow Down, that the DEC is not balancing the interests of bird watchers and hunters is trying to create a deep rift between bird watchers and bird hunters. We can expect this to be the same case he delivers against dove hunting and possibly even pheasant stocking. Keep in mind, not only is the chapter bank-rolled by the parent organization, but the NY chapter also employs the Yale Animal Attorney Professor , who is admitted to the NY Bar (is a NY Lawyer), John Lovorn. The Facebook page of “Humane Society – New York” has 7,554 followers. Casey Phieffer, Humane Society Regional Director of wildlife abuse had once indicated the NY chapter has 700,000 paid members.
The Dove Narrative of the Humane Society of the United States
The Humane Society uses different maneuvers in each of the states. In some states they may seek a breech in procedure or existing law to overturn a hunting season. In other states they know they might pull off a referendum. Other states they go to the Legislature, the governor, the state wildlife agency or even certain unaffected hunters. Bottom line is, the Humane Society is strategic, they are not an emotionally-charged nilly-willy as they are often characterized. They know each state and its people, including wildlife agency staff, politicians, and the hunting community within the respective state.
The Humane Society webpages titled: Initiative for a Nationwide Ban on Dove hunting / pheasant stocking are either removed or obscured. However, the website does contain numerous separate topic pages and you tube propaganda videos on the subject of dove hunting (as well as pheasant stocking).
From these various sources, we have extracted key repetitive refrains and quotes made by Humane Society staff in order to synthesize the arguments they use against dove hunting. The source is not necessarily cited, because as we indicated, their dove narrative is scattered over several pages of their website site.
The Humane Society webpages titled: Initiative for a Nationwide Ban on Dove hunting / pheasant stocking are either removed or obscured. However, the website does contain numerous separate topic pages and you tube propaganda videos on the subject of dove hunting (as well as pheasant stocking).
From these various sources, we have extracted key repetitive refrains and quotes made by Humane Society staff in order to synthesize the arguments they use against dove hunting. The source is not necessarily cited, because as we indicated, their dove narrative is scattered over several pages of their website site.
Partial Snapshot of the Humane Society Dove Narrative
- A narrative is a set of repetitive refrains, used over and over.
- The “useful bird argument” doves are the farmer’s friend because they eat the seeds of nuisance plants… Not true by the way, by feeding on seeds, doves disperse plants.
- The “meatiness factor” Too small to provide “sustenance and/or hunters don’t really eat doves because they are small….
- Incidental Kill…. I am a bird expert, I study birds for a living says one artist who draws or paints birds. Even I sometimes mistake stationary doves for other birds through optics, how poorly a lowly hunter without optics and a flying dove compares….. So the case is similarly delivered.
- “I am not an animal rights extremist” “I am just a concerned bird watcher”.
- Doves have been protected in this state for many years, lets keep that protection….
Humane Society of the US: Dove hunting 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 doves populations are carefully monitored by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. During this monitoring, which has existed for many years alongside dove hunting, the mourning dove populations has remained abundant without dropping precipitously; which indicates the existing dove conservation strategy is sound. Nevertheless, 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. Furthermore, our petition stipulates we want the NY DEC to: “expediently develop a mourning dove harvest strategy and implement a hunting season. As part of such strategy, the NY DEC would address responsible mourning dove hunting; mourning dove conservation; and whether state-level monitoring of mourning dove populations is needed in addition to federal monitoring currently in place”.
Humane Society of the US: "Skilled” Bird Watchers misidentify birds, so hunters will mistake other species for doves.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response:
We might offer that our personal experience differs. In taking college ornithology classes which bird identification quizzes and tests were conducted by the professor in the field, the students in the class who were hunters scored much higher grades than the other wildlife science majors who did not hunt, most of which indicated they were avid bird watchers.
Even relatively inexperienced, two year old retriever gun dogs can distinguish between mourning doves and other birds in flight, both up close, and out to several hundred yards.
Dove hunters are not out there to waste ammunition, confuse their dogs, and pay fines for shooting protected birds. They are out there to harvest doves to be used for food and to work their retrieving dogs.
There are established techniques to identify birds. However, many of the techniques used by hunters to identify migratory game birds and distinguish nongame species are much different than the methods used by bird watchers and ornithologists. Keep in mind, the hunter only has to recognize what he can shoot and cannot shoot. The hunter does not need to know every bird species in the state to hunt doves or waterfowl responsibly.
Humane Society of the US: Mourning doves nest during the fall hunting season, and hunting can orphan chicks, who starve in the nest without their parents' care.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response:
Using the knowledge about mourning doves which has been acquired by scientists studying them for many decades, it is possible to disprove this assertion with linear algebra. However, addressing this claim regarding New York’s mourning doves is much simpler:
In the northern part of their distribution 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. Hunting seasons are set by each state; however, the US Fish and Wildlife Service sets frameworks states must conform to. One of those frameworks is which months a state can allow hunting. These dates coincide with autumn migration and may extend into the winter when mourning doves will not nest.
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 doves populations are carefully monitored by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. During this monitoring, which has existed for many years alongside dove hunting, the mourning dove populations has remained abundant without dropping precipitously; which indicates the existing dove conservation strategy is sound. Nevertheless, 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. Furthermore, our petition stipulates we want the NY DEC to: “expediently develop a mourning dove harvest strategy and implement a hunting season. As part of such strategy, the NY DEC would address responsible mourning dove hunting; mourning dove conservation; and whether state-level monitoring of mourning dove populations is needed in addition to federal monitoring currently in place”.
Humane Society of the US: "Skilled” Bird Watchers misidentify birds, so hunters will mistake other species for doves.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response:
- This case is typically delivered like such: I am an experienced bird watcher and/or ornithologist and “even I” have mistaken other birds (while stationary) for mourning doves. The narrative will typically emphasize the story teller’s experience and credentials, that the birds were stationary and/or high power optics were being used. Often emphasized is that a dove flying at 55 mph would be even harder to identify than the stationary bird.
We might offer that our personal experience differs. In taking college ornithology classes which bird identification quizzes and tests were conducted by the professor in the field, the students in the class who were hunters scored much higher grades than the other wildlife science majors who did not hunt, most of which indicated they were avid bird watchers.
Even relatively inexperienced, two year old retriever gun dogs can distinguish between mourning doves and other birds in flight, both up close, and out to several hundred yards.
Dove hunters are not out there to waste ammunition, confuse their dogs, and pay fines for shooting protected birds. They are out there to harvest doves to be used for food and to work their retrieving dogs.
There are established techniques to identify birds. However, many of the techniques used by hunters to identify migratory game birds and distinguish nongame species are much different than the methods used by bird watchers and ornithologists. Keep in mind, the hunter only has to recognize what he can shoot and cannot shoot. The hunter does not need to know every bird species in the state to hunt doves or waterfowl responsibly.
Humane Society of the US: Mourning doves nest during the fall hunting season, and hunting can orphan chicks, who starve in the nest without their parents' care.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response:
Using the knowledge about mourning doves which has been acquired by scientists studying them for many decades, it is possible to disprove this assertion with linear algebra. However, addressing this claim regarding New York’s mourning doves is much simpler:
In the northern part of their distribution 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. Hunting seasons are set by each state; however, the US Fish and Wildlife Service sets frameworks states must conform to. One of those frameworks is which months a state can allow hunting. These dates coincide with autumn migration and may extend into the winter when mourning doves will not nest.
Humane Society of the US: Repeated references to Dove hunting as “dove shooting”.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Under certain circumstances, such as a guided hunt, the hunter is less involved in the process of hunting. Even a managed dove field can take some, but not all, of the guesswork out of hunting. Sometimes this is by choice of the individual, other times it is the only opportunity for an individual. In either case, the Humane Society is attempting to characterize dove hunting akin to walking onto a skeet facility during business hours, when the weather is nice and it feels right, and using mourning doves as live targets, which is not a factual representation of the activity; even on guided hunts and managed dove fields.
Not only does guided hunts and managed dove fields benefit some hunters, particularly disadvantaged hunters; but they also sometimes provide a means for family farms to stay in business or for individuals to earn a living.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Under certain circumstances, such as a guided hunt, the hunter is less involved in the process of hunting. Even a managed dove field can take some, but not all, of the guesswork out of hunting. Sometimes this is by choice of the individual, other times it is the only opportunity for an individual. In either case, the Humane Society is attempting to characterize dove hunting akin to walking onto a skeet facility during business hours, when the weather is nice and it feels right, and using mourning doves as live targets, which is not a factual representation of the activity; even on guided hunts and managed dove fields.
Not only does guided hunts and managed dove fields benefit some hunters, particularly disadvantaged hunters; but they also sometimes provide a means for family farms to stay in business or for individuals to earn a living.
Humane Society of the US: "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 used as symbols. Conservation decisions are not made symbolically.
List of state birds: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0801717.html
ADDER - healing, life energy/breath, transformation (see also 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, wealth, 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, warrior spirit FINCH - multiplicity, new experiences and encounters
FIRE DRAGON - energy, mastery, transmutation
FLICKER - healing love, new growth
FOX - cunning, diplomacy, wildness, camouflage, shape shifting , invisibilility
FROG - sensitivity, hidden beauty and power, medicine, cleansing
GIRAFFE - farseeing, farsightedness
GOLDFINCH - connection with nature
GOOSE - parenthood, productive power, vigilance, call to travel, fidelity, infinity, call to quest, story telling
GROSBEAK - family relationships, heals 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, observant, messenger, guardianship
HERON - self-determination, sef-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 perception, 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, unselfish
PIG - (see BOAR and SOW)
PORCUPINE - faith, innocence, trusting
PRAIRIE DOG - community
PRAYING MANTIS - stillness
PRONGHORN - adaptability
RABBIT - fear, fertility
RACCOON - disguise, maskes, 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, loove, 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 the 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
SPINDLE TREE - sweetness and delight, sudden intelligence, enlightenment
SEA - the sea, travel, maternal links
WILLOW TREE - night vision, lunar rhythms, female aspects
YEW TREE - everlasting
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Many species are used as symbols. Conservation decisions are not made symbolically.
List of state birds: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0801717.html
ADDER - healing, life energy/breath, transformation (see also 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, wealth, 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, warrior spirit FINCH - multiplicity, new experiences and encounters
FIRE DRAGON - energy, mastery, transmutation
FLICKER - healing love, new growth
FOX - cunning, diplomacy, wildness, camouflage, shape shifting , invisibilility
FROG - sensitivity, hidden beauty and power, medicine, cleansing
GIRAFFE - farseeing, farsightedness
GOLDFINCH - connection with nature
GOOSE - parenthood, productive power, vigilance, call to travel, fidelity, infinity, call to quest, story telling
GROSBEAK - family relationships, heals 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, observant, messenger, guardianship
HERON - self-determination, sef-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 perception, 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, unselfish
PIG - (see BOAR and SOW)
PORCUPINE - faith, innocence, trusting
PRAIRIE DOG - community
PRAYING MANTIS - stillness
PRONGHORN - adaptability
RABBIT - fear, fertility
RACCOON - disguise, maskes, 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, loove, 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 the 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
SPINDLE TREE - sweetness and delight, sudden intelligence, enlightenment
SEA - the sea, travel, maternal links
WILLOW TREE - night vision, lunar rhythms, female aspects
YEW TREE - everlasting
Humane Society of the US: The dove is a prominent religious symbol.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: There is sufficient evidence to assume with a fair amount of certainty that most advocates of animal rights do not practice religion; thus this premise is insincere.
Animal rights advocates arguably do have an affinity for paganism, however. The dove is also symbolic in paganism:
The goddesses Atargatis, Ishtar, Inanna, Astarte and Aphrodite are all depicted with doves.
The legendary queen Semiramis was raised by doves, connecting her to the goddesses.
In the Epic of Gilgamesh the dove was released to search for the end of the deluge.
This makes sense considering the painter of the “Peace Dove”. Pablo Picasso was an artist, and the son of an artist. He was a Spanish immigrant to France. Baptized a catholic, he converted to paganism. He also was a member of the French Communist party.
In his anguish over his sister’s illness, Picasso made a terrible pact with God. He offered to sacrifice his gift to Him and never pick up a brush again if He would save Conchita. And then he was torn between wanting her saved and wanting her dead so that his gift would be saved. When she died, he decided that God was evil and destiny an enemy. At the same time, he was convinced that it was his ambivalence that had made it possible for God to kill Conchita. His guilt was enormous—the other side of his belief in his powers to affect the world around him.
During his early days there Picasso did a revealing drawing, Christ Blessing the Devil, which was evidence of the deep conflict raging within him. Christ, with a shining aura around his head, is blessing with his left hand an overwhelmed Devil. At the same time he painted The Holy Family in Egypt and Altar to the Blessed Virgin. In 1896 came an abundance of religious pictures: Christ appearing to a nun, Christ being adorned by the angels, the Annunciation, the Last Supper, the Resurrection.
A year after he drew Christ Blessing the Devil, he gave tender expression to some of the most powerful symbols of religious worship, but he also did a picture of Christ with no face—impersonal, unreal, and with no answers. Catholicism, with its emphasis on ethical rules and the rewards of heaven, held no answers for Picasso, with his growing passion for freedom and this world.
We might add, the painting ‘Peace Dove” by Picasso, isn’t terribly impressive…. Early American migratory bird hunters were far more talented artists than Picasso.
Furthermore, a number of Catholic and other Christian churches across the nation sponsor dove hunts for their members.
The historical range of the mourning dove is north America, not Europe or he middle east. The white doves sold for weddings are a breed of the same species of pigeon which can be found across NYC and other cities, or around farms. A poodle and a Labrador retriever are both dogs, but different breeds. Likewise a rock pigeon (Columbia livia) is a rock pigeon, whether it resembles the wild type, a fancy type, or slender and white as are so-called wedding doves.
Humane Society of the US: Doves are a beloved backyard songbird. Doves delight millions who enjoy bird watching or luring the gentle birds to their 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. Balancing does not mean eliminate one in favor of another.
We know that dove hunting will not reduce bird watching opportunity. 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.
Humane Society of the US: hunters have at least 50 other game species to hunt, including turkeys, pheasants, geese, ducks, woodcocks, rails and snipes.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: The Humane Society has on numerous occasions condemned hunting all of those species, especially woodcock, rails, snipe. As a matter of fact a priority of the Humane Society has been shutting down state pheasant stocking programs across the US, including NY in 2008. 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.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: There is sufficient evidence to assume with a fair amount of certainty that most advocates of animal rights do not practice religion; thus this premise is insincere.
Animal rights advocates arguably do have an affinity for paganism, however. The dove is also symbolic in paganism:
The goddesses Atargatis, Ishtar, Inanna, Astarte and Aphrodite are all depicted with doves.
The legendary queen Semiramis was raised by doves, connecting her to the goddesses.
In the Epic of Gilgamesh the dove was released to search for the end of the deluge.
This makes sense considering the painter of the “Peace Dove”. Pablo Picasso was an artist, and the son of an artist. He was a Spanish immigrant to France. Baptized a catholic, he converted to paganism. He also was a member of the French Communist party.
In his anguish over his sister’s illness, Picasso made a terrible pact with God. He offered to sacrifice his gift to Him and never pick up a brush again if He would save Conchita. And then he was torn between wanting her saved and wanting her dead so that his gift would be saved. When she died, he decided that God was evil and destiny an enemy. At the same time, he was convinced that it was his ambivalence that had made it possible for God to kill Conchita. His guilt was enormous—the other side of his belief in his powers to affect the world around him.
During his early days there Picasso did a revealing drawing, Christ Blessing the Devil, which was evidence of the deep conflict raging within him. Christ, with a shining aura around his head, is blessing with his left hand an overwhelmed Devil. At the same time he painted The Holy Family in Egypt and Altar to the Blessed Virgin. In 1896 came an abundance of religious pictures: Christ appearing to a nun, Christ being adorned by the angels, the Annunciation, the Last Supper, the Resurrection.
A year after he drew Christ Blessing the Devil, he gave tender expression to some of the most powerful symbols of religious worship, but he also did a picture of Christ with no face—impersonal, unreal, and with no answers. Catholicism, with its emphasis on ethical rules and the rewards of heaven, held no answers for Picasso, with his growing passion for freedom and this world.
We might add, the painting ‘Peace Dove” by Picasso, isn’t terribly impressive…. Early American migratory bird hunters were far more talented artists than Picasso.
Furthermore, a number of Catholic and other Christian churches across the nation sponsor dove hunts for their members.
The historical range of the mourning dove is north America, not Europe or he middle east. The white doves sold for weddings are a breed of the same species of pigeon which can be found across NYC and other cities, or around farms. A poodle and a Labrador retriever are both dogs, but different breeds. Likewise a rock pigeon (Columbia livia) is a rock pigeon, whether it resembles the wild type, a fancy type, or slender and white as are so-called wedding doves.
Humane Society of the US: Doves are a beloved backyard songbird. Doves delight millions who enjoy bird watching or luring the gentle birds to their 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. Balancing does not mean eliminate one in favor of another.
We know that dove hunting will not reduce bird watching opportunity. 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.
Humane Society of the US: hunters have at least 50 other game species to hunt, including turkeys, pheasants, geese, ducks, woodcocks, rails and snipes.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: The Humane Society has on numerous occasions condemned hunting all of those species, especially woodcock, rails, snipe. As a matter of fact a priority of the Humane Society has been shutting down state pheasant stocking programs across the US, including NY in 2008. 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.
Humane Society of the US: (Michael Markarian) Doves do not spread any diseases.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: This is another absurd and very irresponsible statement made by the largest anti-hunting organization in the United States. Due to the broad scope of this subject, we will provide a single document from the literature which is available on the subject. If policy makers are not satisfied with this information, they are encouraged to contact NY Dove Hunting for more information. Please refer to this link:
http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/field_manual/chapter_25.pdf
We are unclear whether the Humane Society was referring to zoonosis which are by definition animal diseases which are transferable to people. The mourning dove is known to become infected with various zoonosis, if that is the Humane Societies intended context. Approximately thirty-five diseases and parasites reported for humans involve birds as alternate hosts, with psittacosis, histoplasmosis, and toxoplasmosis likely to involve doves. (Herman 1982). However, the Humane Society needs to broaden its perspective on wildlife conservation as well. For example, mourning doves were 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. Screening the existing dove species on the island – the mourning Dove, for the presence of potential disease pathogens that may 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) and Trichomonas gallinae (Trichomoniasis) and Avian Pox.
Returning the discussion to zoonosis: 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 bird feeders, 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).
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: This is another absurd and very irresponsible statement made by the largest anti-hunting organization in the United States. Due to the broad scope of this subject, we will provide a single document from the literature which is available on the subject. If policy makers are not satisfied with this information, they are encouraged to contact NY Dove Hunting for more information. Please refer to this link:
http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/field_manual/chapter_25.pdf
We are unclear whether the Humane Society was referring to zoonosis which are by definition animal diseases which are transferable to people. The mourning dove is known to become infected with various zoonosis, if that is the Humane Societies intended context. Approximately thirty-five diseases and parasites reported for humans involve birds as alternate hosts, with psittacosis, histoplasmosis, and toxoplasmosis likely to involve doves. (Herman 1982). However, the Humane Society needs to broaden its perspective on wildlife conservation as well. For example, mourning doves were 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. Screening the existing dove species on the island – the mourning Dove, for the presence of potential disease pathogens that may 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) and Trichomonas gallinae (Trichomoniasis) and Avian Pox.
Returning the discussion to zoonosis: 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 bird feeders, 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).
Humane Society of the US: (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:
Section 11-0303 of New York’s Environmental Conservation Law directs the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to develop and carry out programs that promote the maintenance of desirable species in ecological balance, with due consideration of ecological factors, the importance of fish and wildlife resources for recreational purposes, and public safety.
Additionally, the Department list the following goals of the Bureau of Wildlife:
Goal 1. Ensure that populations of all wildlife in New York are of the appropriate size to meet all the demands placed on them.
Goal 2. Ensure that we meet the public desire for: information about wildlife and its conservation, use, and enjoyment; understanding the relationships among wildlife, humans, and the environment; and clearly listening to what the public tell us.
Goal 3. Ensure that we provide sustainable uses of New York’s wildlife for an informed public.
Goal 4. Minimize the damage and nuisance caused by wildlife and wildlife uses.
Goal 5. Foster and maintain an organization that efficiently achieves our goals.
While maintaining a closed season for mourning dove is not neglecting to address overpopulation, nuisance, public safety, or disease, providing regulated hunting opportunities is consistent with the NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife’s stated mission “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.” NY Dove Hunting interprets that mission to mean that these benefits include opportunities to harvest abundant species such as the mourning dove.
Humane Society of the US: Doves are songbirds, called the farmer’s friend because they eat weed seeds.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response:
Mourning doves do not meet the scientific criteria of a songbird, and crows which are songbirds, are indeed hunted.
There are many commonly hunted game birds, not just mourning doves, which forage at bird feeders. The concern raised that mourning dove hunting would result in fewer doves visiting bird feeders was the subject of a study in Ohio which showed it did not. The implication of a childish Humane Society video depicting that hunters would shoot doves in people’s backyards is absurd and deserves no response.
A long time ago, it was believed that seed-eating birds, such as mourning doves, reduced pest plants. However, it has been known for some time, that birds are very efficient plant dispersers. In other words, mourning doves facilitate the spread of both desirable and undesirable plants, they do not reduce pest plants by way of eating their seeds.
The continued refrain of these premises, over many years, is exemplary proof that the Humane Society is not a reliable source of information.
Humane Society Arguments about dove hunters being outnumbered:
Every time the Humane Society weighs in on a hunting matter, they emphasize that bird watching participation is growing, participation in hunting is shrinking, and that bird watchers spend far more money than hunters.
However, this repetitive refrain is not relevant to hunting policy. One of the functions of the DEC is to balance the interests of stakeholders. In NY the interests of hunters and bird watchers is well-balanced, and a dove hunting season would not disrupt this balance. The implication that by favoring the majority or the largest spender, the DEC will achieve balance; is absurd. The Humane Society even made this argument in support of closing Reynold’s Pheasant Farm. Pheasant stocking and hunting is an old tradition which has existed in NY since 1908, however bird watching is a relatively new activity, thus we fail to see how closing Reynold’s Pheasant Farm would achieve any sort of balance.
By federal policy, under the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act, both bird watching and hunting are among the 6 Priority Public Uses on lands which comprise the National Wildlife Refuge System. Even under that law, some refuges are closed to hunting, but not necessarily to bird watching. Additionally, most parks (municipal, county, state, federal) are closed to hunting or allow very limited hunting. Some hunters hunt on private land they own or are granted permission by the landowner. Some lands within NY owned by Audubon and the Nature Conservancy are closed to hunting, or only allow deer hunting. Even some DEC wildlife management areas are closed to hunting, but not bird watching. The fact is; bird watchers have far more publicly owned places to enjoy their passion than hunters do.
Another factor overlooked by the Humane Society is that although bird watchers generate more general economic activity, hunters generate more revenue for conservation, even though some bird watchers buy federal duck stamps. We want to point out to policy makers who may not be aware, that a large portion of the revenue derived from bird watchers categorized as “at home bird watchers”, for the purchase of bird seed.
Time after time, the Humane Society misrepresents the role of hunting in funding state wildlife agencies so that the public is tricked into believing that hunting is allowed and encouraged because “money talks”. This has led to the notion that hunting policy should be determined by vote counting and/or by who spends the most money.
Wildlife belongs to the public, even people who do not spend a penny on a hunting license or a duck stamp. However, the activity of regulated hunting does not over-use wildlife and thereby reduce wildlife populations to a level that bird watchers are impacted. Much to the contrary; the research and habitat projects paid for by hunters; increase biodiversity, bird abundance and distribution, thereby enhancing bird watching, not the vice versa as argued by the Humane Society.
Consider if the Humane Society had its way and ecological decisions and funding strategies were determined by the bullet points at the beginning of this discussion. (Essentially rewriting the Public Trust Doctrine and scraping the North American Wildlife Conservation Model).
NY Dove Hunting’s Response:
Section 11-0303 of New York’s Environmental Conservation Law directs the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to develop and carry out programs that promote the maintenance of desirable species in ecological balance, with due consideration of ecological factors, the importance of fish and wildlife resources for recreational purposes, and public safety.
Additionally, the Department list the following goals of the Bureau of Wildlife:
Goal 1. Ensure that populations of all wildlife in New York are of the appropriate size to meet all the demands placed on them.
Goal 2. Ensure that we meet the public desire for: information about wildlife and its conservation, use, and enjoyment; understanding the relationships among wildlife, humans, and the environment; and clearly listening to what the public tell us.
Goal 3. Ensure that we provide sustainable uses of New York’s wildlife for an informed public.
Goal 4. Minimize the damage and nuisance caused by wildlife and wildlife uses.
Goal 5. Foster and maintain an organization that efficiently achieves our goals.
While maintaining a closed season for mourning dove is not neglecting to address overpopulation, nuisance, public safety, or disease, providing regulated hunting opportunities is consistent with the NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife’s stated mission “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.” NY Dove Hunting interprets that mission to mean that these benefits include opportunities to harvest abundant species such as the mourning dove.
Humane Society of the US: Doves are songbirds, called the farmer’s friend because they eat weed seeds.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response:
Mourning doves do not meet the scientific criteria of a songbird, and crows which are songbirds, are indeed hunted.
There are many commonly hunted game birds, not just mourning doves, which forage at bird feeders. The concern raised that mourning dove hunting would result in fewer doves visiting bird feeders was the subject of a study in Ohio which showed it did not. The implication of a childish Humane Society video depicting that hunters would shoot doves in people’s backyards is absurd and deserves no response.
A long time ago, it was believed that seed-eating birds, such as mourning doves, reduced pest plants. However, it has been known for some time, that birds are very efficient plant dispersers. In other words, mourning doves facilitate the spread of both desirable and undesirable plants, they do not reduce pest plants by way of eating their seeds.
The continued refrain of these premises, over many years, is exemplary proof that the Humane Society is not a reliable source of information.
Humane Society Arguments about dove hunters being outnumbered:
- Iowa Survey The survey of 625 Iowa voters was conducted statewide from March 17 through March 19, 2011
- You tube video “Michigan votes no – two-thirds of voters voted against dove hunting but now politicians are trying to nullify our votes by giving our rights away to 7 unelected bureaucrats repealing our landslide vote.
- Statement by Casey Phieffer to DEC that the Humane Societies state enrollment for NY is 700,000 members.
- Statement by Casey Phieffer to DEC that hunting license sales are trending downward, while bird watching participation is trending upward, and bird watchers outspend hunters by a very large margin.
Every time the Humane Society weighs in on a hunting matter, they emphasize that bird watching participation is growing, participation in hunting is shrinking, and that bird watchers spend far more money than hunters.
However, this repetitive refrain is not relevant to hunting policy. One of the functions of the DEC is to balance the interests of stakeholders. In NY the interests of hunters and bird watchers is well-balanced, and a dove hunting season would not disrupt this balance. The implication that by favoring the majority or the largest spender, the DEC will achieve balance; is absurd. The Humane Society even made this argument in support of closing Reynold’s Pheasant Farm. Pheasant stocking and hunting is an old tradition which has existed in NY since 1908, however bird watching is a relatively new activity, thus we fail to see how closing Reynold’s Pheasant Farm would achieve any sort of balance.
By federal policy, under the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act, both bird watching and hunting are among the 6 Priority Public Uses on lands which comprise the National Wildlife Refuge System. Even under that law, some refuges are closed to hunting, but not necessarily to bird watching. Additionally, most parks (municipal, county, state, federal) are closed to hunting or allow very limited hunting. Some hunters hunt on private land they own or are granted permission by the landowner. Some lands within NY owned by Audubon and the Nature Conservancy are closed to hunting, or only allow deer hunting. Even some DEC wildlife management areas are closed to hunting, but not bird watching. The fact is; bird watchers have far more publicly owned places to enjoy their passion than hunters do.
Another factor overlooked by the Humane Society is that although bird watchers generate more general economic activity, hunters generate more revenue for conservation, even though some bird watchers buy federal duck stamps. We want to point out to policy makers who may not be aware, that a large portion of the revenue derived from bird watchers categorized as “at home bird watchers”, for the purchase of bird seed.
Time after time, the Humane Society misrepresents the role of hunting in funding state wildlife agencies so that the public is tricked into believing that hunting is allowed and encouraged because “money talks”. This has led to the notion that hunting policy should be determined by vote counting and/or by who spends the most money.
Wildlife belongs to the public, even people who do not spend a penny on a hunting license or a duck stamp. However, the activity of regulated hunting does not over-use wildlife and thereby reduce wildlife populations to a level that bird watchers are impacted. Much to the contrary; the research and habitat projects paid for by hunters; increase biodiversity, bird abundance and distribution, thereby enhancing bird watching, not the vice versa as argued by the Humane Society.
Consider if the Humane Society had its way and ecological decisions and funding strategies were determined by the bullet points at the beginning of this discussion. (Essentially rewriting the Public Trust Doctrine and scraping the North American Wildlife Conservation Model).
Humane Society of the US: (Michael Markarian) Doves are too small to provide any sustenance.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Sustenance is defined as food or drink that allows you to continue to be alive. 3 ounces of mourning dove meat contains 123 calories, 1.56 grams of fat, 19.47 grams of protein, and 79.9 mg of cholesterol. Dove meat is actually more nutritious per ounce than most other foods, including plant based foods.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Sustenance is defined as food or drink that allows you to continue to be alive. 3 ounces of mourning dove meat contains 123 calories, 1.56 grams of fat, 19.47 grams of protein, and 79.9 mg of cholesterol. Dove meat is actually more nutritious per ounce than most other foods, including plant based foods.
Humane Society of the US: Mourning doves—called the "farmer's friend" because they eat weed seeds—pose no threat to crops, homes or anything of value to people.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: In 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 seed eating birds, such as mourning doves, are very efficient seed dispersers and actually spread the growth of both desirable and undesirable plants.
Humane Society of the US: Shooting doves is unnecessary and serves no wildlife management purpose.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Dove hunting is not done to manage overpopulation or nuisance animals and nobody is suggesting it is. However, hunting is a traditional activity and this tradition was not born on wildlife control.
Humane Society of the US: Many hunters don't bother to retrieve the dead or wounded birds.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Dove hunters are not only out in the field to enjoy themselves, they are hopeful to return home with some doves to eat. Dove hunters make every effort to retrieve every bird shot and often have dogs specifically bred and trained to retrieve downed birds.
Humane Society of the US: Doves are killed for target practice.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: The Humane Society will nay-say statements made by responsible hunters and even wildlife agencies; however they have zero skepticism when it comes to damaging statements or bravado from rogue hunters and will expend great effort to convince everyone such statements are true.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: In 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 seed eating birds, such as mourning doves, are very efficient seed dispersers and actually spread the growth of both desirable and undesirable plants.
Humane Society of the US: Shooting doves is unnecessary and serves no wildlife management purpose.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Dove hunting is not done to manage overpopulation or nuisance animals and nobody is suggesting it is. However, hunting is a traditional activity and this tradition was not born on wildlife control.
Humane Society of the US: Many hunters don't bother to retrieve the dead or wounded birds.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: Dove hunters are not only out in the field to enjoy themselves, they are hopeful to return home with some doves to eat. Dove hunters make every effort to retrieve every bird shot and often have dogs specifically bred and trained to retrieve downed birds.
Humane Society of the US: Doves are killed for target practice.
NY Dove Hunting’s Response: The Humane Society will nay-say statements made by responsible hunters and even wildlife agencies; however they have zero skepticism when it comes to damaging statements or bravado from rogue hunters and will expend great effort to convince everyone such statements are true.