Why We Don't Have a Dove Hunting Season in New York
Why do we not hunt the mourning dove, the nation's number one game bird and one of the most abundant birds in New York and the entire United States; while we do hunt much less abundant birds?
The Dove must first be reclassified and that takes the approval of the legislature and the governor. In other words a bill must pass both houses.
Historically in NY, lawmakers have allowed dove bills to expire without vote, numerous times over several decades. This is because anti-hunters watch legislation and are particularly active with proposals pertaining to dove hunting. When anti-hunters become aware, and there is no way to prevent their knowledge of dove bills, they flood the legislature and the DEC with letters of opposition. NY hunters meanwhile do not contact the legislature and the DEC in sufficient numbers in support of dove bills. This gives the appearance of lack of interest by hunters and an abundance of opposition. Without hearing from hunters, the DEC does not ask its legislative affairs division to work with the legislature and that signals the perception that the DEC does not endorse dove hunting. That perceived lack of endorsement not only influences the legislature, but it also influences the thinking of NY hunters without experience with dove hunting. Since outdoor magazines no longer publish much about small-game hunting anymore, that negative message is reinforced. Without a strong support from hunters, why in the world would anyone expect either the DEC or the legislature to disregard a strong show of opposition?
The Dove must first be reclassified and that takes the approval of the legislature and the governor. In other words a bill must pass both houses.
Historically in NY, lawmakers have allowed dove bills to expire without vote, numerous times over several decades. This is because anti-hunters watch legislation and are particularly active with proposals pertaining to dove hunting. When anti-hunters become aware, and there is no way to prevent their knowledge of dove bills, they flood the legislature and the DEC with letters of opposition. NY hunters meanwhile do not contact the legislature and the DEC in sufficient numbers in support of dove bills. This gives the appearance of lack of interest by hunters and an abundance of opposition. Without hearing from hunters, the DEC does not ask its legislative affairs division to work with the legislature and that signals the perception that the DEC does not endorse dove hunting. That perceived lack of endorsement not only influences the legislature, but it also influences the thinking of NY hunters without experience with dove hunting. Since outdoor magazines no longer publish much about small-game hunting anymore, that negative message is reinforced. Without a strong support from hunters, why in the world would anyone expect either the DEC or the legislature to disregard a strong show of opposition?
Let’s suppose a dove bill was moved forward for a vote. Hunters would need to keep pace with the letters in opposition during the entire process; right up until it goes to the governor for him to sign it into law. It is hard enough to get a few hunters to write one letter, but this entails writing the entire environmental conservation committee in both chambers; the two state representatives in their voting district, the governor, and the DEC. And a few hunters are not enough, because of the popularity of the issue with anti-hunters.
Let’s suppose the bill is signed into law and mourning doves were reclassified as a game species. That does not automatically set a hunting season. After that landmark, the DEC would be in a position to make a proposal for a dove season and/or a mourning dove management plan or conservation plan which includes a dove season. A proposal to implement a hunting season and/or a wildlife plan would be opened up for public comment as required by law. Anti-hunters would now again, like during the legislative process, flood the DEC with letters in opposition and meanwhile support from hunters is again, likely to be light.
During the entire interim, anti-hunters will be trying to influence public opinion, thereby the legislature, governor, and the DEC with letters to newspapers throughout the state. The only way hunters can win this public-opinion battle is to debunk and rebut these news editorials and letters, not in the outdoors section, but in the section the antis’ letters are printed. The rebuttals by hunters must not only keep up with the antis, but the hunters must use premises that appeal to broad-based support, i.e., non-hunters. Stimulating local rural economies can be used, but that co-benefit alone will not be adequate. The hunting community simply does not have enough knowledge to address many arguments against dove hunting and is conditioned to using a defense they are familiar with, but will not work in the case of doves.
As overwhelming as this all seems, it is far from impossible. However, how long it will take cannot be answered. The more people engaged, the sooner it will occur.
How much advertising and free press we can get is also a factor in how long it will take. Despite the introduction of social media, we still might need to use traditional advertising. An ad in the NY hunting regulations guide will cost $500. To reach every non-hunting state except Michigan and Alaska the ad will cost $2970. We are hoping to receive donations to help with this advertisement campaign, contact us through Facebook if you would like to donate.