I buy a Nebraska hunting license every year in addition to my Iowa hunting license because I like to hunt dove. I was driving through Carrol (sp?) yesterday and got in a discussion with an avid deer hunter. We talked about dove hunting and he told me that Iowa's dove population would not support a dove season. What are our opinions here. I wrote a letter to the Governor but he told me that it's a non-issue with Iowans and Iowans are happy with the status-quo (my interpretation of Vilsack's words). Michigan just got a dove season approved this year. Would Iowa's dove population support a dove season?
B
boatman
Guest
When I was a member of the Izaak Walton League, we tried to push a statewide dove season. If I remember correctly there was one lady that lives in Des Moines that would get it stopped every year. The dove is considered a "peace bird" by her standards. Not sure of the details on all of it, but this was the major road block.
As far as IA's dove population supporting a season? The dove is a migratory bird that comes, sometimes stays, and goes with the weather change. I would reckon that the population here is the same of that in all the surrounding states that allow it. Sometimes higher, sometimes lower depending on their movement patterns.
JMO
As far as IA's dove population supporting a season? The dove is a migratory bird that comes, sometimes stays, and goes with the weather change. I would reckon that the population here is the same of that in all the surrounding states that allow it. Sometimes higher, sometimes lower depending on their movement patterns.
JMO
Limb Chicken
Active Member
It passed two years ago and our governor vetoed the bill...That is all I am going to say about it because it makes my blood boil everytime I think about it!
G
Guest
Guest
A few years ago The Motorcity Madman himself was trying to get it passed in Iowa.I hane seen as many as 40 hanging on a wire south of town.They are migratory but they mostly hang in the trees and I have spooked alot walking field edges.They need to get it passed because I have had dove and it is pretty good.
simplesimon
New Member
Hey Limb, Why dont you come visit me here in Tennessee and you can take some of your frustration out on some of our "peace birds" September 1.
We have plenty!!!!
Limb Chicken
Active Member
Dirtball,
I appreciate the invite however I plan on putting a few geese in the hurt locker on the first of september here...
If it is a standing offer I will keep it in mind...of course after shooting at geese I may need a couple of boxes to hit one of those lovey doveys...
I appreciate the invite however I plan on putting a few geese in the hurt locker on the first of september here...
simplesimon
New Member
Any time Limb! I have a local golf course that has given me permission to take out a few geese myself. They are ruining the greens. I guess I will play a round of golf and them go get my shotgun.
Old Buck
Life Member
This is a hot button issue with some of us. Like limb chicken said, a couple years ago a lot of hard working sportsmen/conservationists actually got it passed only to have it vetoed by the governor. There was a great write-up on mourning doves by one of the Iowa biologists on the IDNR website but I couldn't find it now.
I just looked up some info in my 'dove folder' from the last battle. It doesn't give the Iowa population but here is an interesting quote.
"From a biological standpoint, hunting has no measurable impact on mourning dove populations. More doves are harvested annually by hunters in the continental lUS than all other game bird species combined. Annual hunting harvest is estimated at 41.3 million doves which is just 8.6% of the estimated fall population. As a comparison, 165 to 207 million doves are lost to natural causes eacah year, or 4 to 5 times the number attributed to hunting...."
I think we are now one of only 9 states that do not have a dove season. This is wildlife management based on emotion not science.
Old Buck
I just looked up some info in my 'dove folder' from the last battle. It doesn't give the Iowa population but here is an interesting quote.
"From a biological standpoint, hunting has no measurable impact on mourning dove populations. More doves are harvested annually by hunters in the continental lUS than all other game bird species combined. Annual hunting harvest is estimated at 41.3 million doves which is just 8.6% of the estimated fall population. As a comparison, 165 to 207 million doves are lost to natural causes eacah year, or 4 to 5 times the number attributed to hunting...."
I think we are now one of only 9 states that do not have a dove season. This is wildlife management based on emotion not science.
Old Buck
P
pheasanthunter
Guest
Minnesota just got a dove season passed this year. You would think they have few numbers than Iowa…