Dove hunting won’t fill the hunting void

Regarding the upcoming dove season: The almighty dollar has once again raised its mighty head. What with no pheasants to hunt, quail nonexistent and ducks changing their migration routes, the Department of Natural Resources is short of funds from the sportsmen of Iowa. Dove hunting will never take up the slack.

Back in the early '70s, I wrote a letter to the Iowa Conservation Commission asking for an explanation as to why Iowa never had a dove season. No answer. At the time, they were flush in money from licenses and ammunition sales.

Suddenly, in 2011, the alarm went off. More money needed for operations, hence the dove season was passed by the Legislature. To appease the anti-dove season faction, they are now trying to pass regulations, such as using only steel shot.

This is ridiculous, as doves will never be able to find the spent lead shot, let alone ingest it. I understand using steel shot over water, as ducks may pick up some of the lead, but out in the open fields, come on. I won't buy a license plus expensive shells just to hunt doves.

John Payne

Central City