Doves should not be hunted, killed

Before passage of the dove hunting bill, hunters already had 70 different species of birds and mammals to kill. Then why did so many legislators and the governor ignore the wishes of the majority of Iowans who do not want doves hunted?

Hunting doves is, in part, a desperate attempt to revive a dying pastime. Fewer than 6 percent of Iowans hunt. In 2009, the pool of hunters shrunk another 9 percent. The gun and hunting lobby maintains that dove hunting recruits young children to hunting more than any other hunting activity. It hasn't worked, however, in other states where the number of hunters also continues to decline. Children instinctively love animals. To desensitize them to the suffering of other sentient creatures has had dire consequences on society. Nearly all of the school shooters have come from hunting backgrounds, and many other mass murderers as well.

Legislators and the governor “flipped the birdie” to the public by passing the dove hunting bill by an unethical process. Next election, vote against those who supported the bill.

Inara Powers

Cedar Rapids