The latest e-mail I received about Michigan's mourning dove hunt has me reluctantly broaching this topic. While in state last week, I talked to several people I respect who are adamantly opposed to the new season on the birds even though they are not anti-hunting. I respect that position although I disagree.
What confounds me is how the issue of hunting mourning doves generates so much passion on both sides, dividing bird-lovers and hunters, when the habitat that they both want to protect disappears by the hour. Those who care little for the environment are delighted when the environmental and conservation communities spar.
Hunting mourning doves will not wipe them out. Sport hunting is a regulated activity and not at all like the market hunting of the 19th century that wiped out the passenger pigeon.
However, virtually ungoverned land development is a lot like market hunting and will wipe out hundreds of species we love, if it is not checked by sensible smart growth policies.
Reactions?
Posted by Dave at October 19, 2004 11:08 AM