Hi Chris --
Dove hunting is very popular. Doves and pigeons are migratory birds and
hunting is regulated by Federal regulations just as it is done for all
migratory game species (waterfowl, doves, pigeons, cranes, rails). The
Canadian Wildlife Service also handles this in much the same way. There is
quite a lot of dove (primarily Mourning and White-winged) banding and, as
with waterfowl, populations are evaluated annually by the USFWS (call
surveys, banding data, and recovery data from the banded birds are all
used for evaluating Mourning Dove populations) and limits are set. The
states and provinces set their limits within the Federal limits. The
Mourning Dove is also one of the few game species that is recorded
adequately on Breeding Bird Survey routes. BTW my first indication of the
Bobwhite population decline was on the BBS routes that I have been running
for over 30 years.
I do agree with several others in that we shouldn't turn MDOSPREY into a
forum for pros and cons of hunting per se. If anyone wants to have input
it would be best to directly contact your state (they work with the
Federal agencies) about your concerns.
Cheers,
Kathy
M. Kathleen Klimkiewicz, Biologist
USGS Patuxent WRC BBL
12100 Beech Forest RD STE 4037
Laurel MD 20708-4037
301-497-5795 work
Fax 301-497-5717
Report bands: reportband.gov and get instant feedback!
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl
Chris Starling <>
Sent by: Maryland Birds & Birding <>
09/29/2008 08:01 PM
Please respond to
Chris Starling <>
To
cc
Subject
Re: [MDOSPREY] Fw: MD OSPREY -- QUAIL
>
> What are the regulations on Mourning Dove hunting in MD? I have seen
signs
> posted at Myrtle Grove in Charles County (George, maybe you know what I
am
> talking about) that permit it. I have never seen anyone shoot doves and
I
> don't know how popular it is among hunters. But if people do
participate
> in dove hunting, I wonder, did we learn any lessons with the demise of
the
> Passenger Pigeon?
>
> Just some food for thought,
>
> Mike Loovis
> Baltimore, MD
>
I believe the Mourning Doves are the MOST hunted animal in North
America...
something like "millions" are shot every year; or so I remmeber reading...
look it up to verify; I may be wrong.
-Chris Starling
Sorry Norm; I had to chime in :o) |