Legislative committee set to review mourning dove hunting plan

A legislative panel is slated next month to begin its review of a new mourning dove season authorized by the state Natural Resources Commission to begin in September.

The Legislature's Administrative Rules Review Committee will get its first look at the issue on May 10.

A public hearing on the open season for hunting mourning doves will be held on May 24, at 1 p.m. at the second-floor auditorium in the Wallace State Office Building in Des Moines.

The commission earlier this month voted to add mourning doves to the hunting seasons currently offered in Iowa for Common Snipe, Virginia Rail and Sora, Woodcock and Ruffed Grouse.

The proposed open season for hunting mourning doves statewide shall begin on Sept. 1 and continue for 70 consecutive days. NRC rules provide that shooting hours shall be from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset each day.  The daily bag limit is 15, and the possession limit is 30.

Along with the public hearing, any interested person may make written suggestions or comments on the proposed amendments on or before May 24. Written comments may be directed to Willie Suchy of the Wildlife Bureau at the Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0034; by e-mail at wildlife@dnr.iowa.gov; or by fax at (515)281-6794.

Persons who wish to convey their comments orally may contact the Wildlife Bureau by phone at (515)281-5034 or by visiting the 4th floor of the Wallace State Office Building during regular business hours.

Lawmakers in the House and Senate voted this session to authorize the commission to consider a dove-hunting season and Gov. Terry Branstad signed the bill into law.