What’s next, cardinal or bluebird hunting?

In the next few days, the season for legally hunting mourning doves will begin. The Iowa Legislature sneaked this new law through so that Iowa hunters could keep up with hunters in the surrounding states and blow these peaceful backyard birds out of the sky for target practice. I guess these so-called sportsmen can't afford clay targets to hone their marksmanship; hence, the doves will be blasted.

I used to hunt with my dad for squirrels, rabbits and pheasants. We ate what we shot and wouldn't have dreamed of shooting a small, lovely backyard bird.

I suppose the next sporting law those legislators will legalize will be the taking of more big game birds, such as cardinals, bluebirds, chickadees and woodpeckers.

Linda Roberts

Center Point