Minnesota's Political Tricks Create Dove Shooting Season

Many political sleight-of-hand tricks have been used to attempt to pass dove shooting legislation in several dove-protection states; including, most recently, Minnesota, where underhanded maneuverings have been altogether "hidden" from public view.

Minnesota's complicated Department of Natural Resource's Omnibus Bill, an annual legislative measure which usually covers only "housekeeping" issues and appropriations, was altered to include language that was added to establish a shooting season on the mourning dove and remove the protection status that has been in place since 1947 (a protection put in place in 1946 by the Audubon Society to honor WWII veterans with a living memorial).

A floor amendment was offered to remove the deceitful dove hunting language. But after the amendment's initial passage, a political "motion to reconsider" was taken. One Senator [Olson R-33] chose not to represent constituents and suddenly switched her vote to allow the language to remain. The final vote was a 33 to 33 tie - one vote shy of removal.

Prior to election, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty quietly promised out-of-state dove shooting groups - who contributed to his campaign - that he would sign such legislation if given the chance. On May 19, Pawlenty signed the Omnibus bill, allowing for the target shooting of doves in Minnesota.

Note: Former Governor Jesse Ventura would have never signed any bill that would allow for the target shooting of songbirds for sport. Regarding similar wildlife mismanagement issues, Ventura was quoted as saying, "That ain't sport -- that's an assassination."