Washington: Today, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the Michigan Humane Society, The Fund for Animals, The Songbird Protection Coalition and other groups -- representing hundreds of thousands of Michiganders -- called on Governor Jennifer Granholm to keep her word to the people of Michigan and to stick to her pledge to veto legislation that would authorize the target shooting of mourning doves.Ý Michigan has banned hunting of mourning doves since 1905.

“Hundreds of thousands of Michiganders voted for Governor Granholm because she pledged not to support a dove hunting season,” stated Wayne Pacelle, a senior vice president at The HSUS, which has 262,000 members in Michigan.  “Governor Granholm was emphatic during her election campaign, and she has been resolute in this year’s legislative session, in declaring that she would not sign a bill to authorize dove hunting.  We feel confident that she will honor her commitment to the people of Michigan and block legislation to directly allow the needless target shooting of these gentle, inoffensive, and much-loved birds.”

Every poll conducted within the last decade shows that less than a third of Michigan voters support dove hunting.  The latest Lansing-based EPIC/MRA poll, conducted February 22-25, shows only 30 percent of Michigan voters support dove hunting.

“There is no reason to break from a policy of dove protection that has endured for nearly a century,” adds Cal Morgan, executive director of the Michigan Humane Society.  “Mourning doves have long been appreciated as songbirds throughout our state.”

“Michigan sportsmen are permitted to hunt more than 40 other avian species,” notes Michael Markarian, president of The Fund for Animals.  “They don’t need to hunt doves. And there is hardly any meat on mourning doves, so shooting them amounts to little more than target practice.”

Both the House and Senate have narrowly approved bills to establish a dove hunting season.  Final action on a dove hunting bill is pending in the House.

“The NRA, the MUCC, and other groups that worked against Governor Granholm’s election are appealing to her to reverse a policy that has been in place for 99 years,” adds Julie Baker, director of The Songbird Protection Coalition.  “She should be confident that the vast majority of Michiganders stand by her decision to maintain the ban on target shooting of doves.”

The groups will make available a questionnaire compiled by Humane USA and the Michigan-based Humanitarians for Environmental and Animal Laws PAC and filled out by Granholm. Granholm answered a series of questions about animal welfare issues, including a question on dove hunting. She indicated she would veto any bill to authorize dove hunting.

The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St., NW
Washington, DC 20037
www.hsus.org
Promoting the Protection of All Animals