Dove hunting rules debated during public hearing

DES MOINES - Tempers flared and nasty words flew between hunters and bird lovers Tuesday during a forum that devolved, at times, into something more akin to schoolyard bickering than public discussion.

At issue were the rules that will govern the state's new mourning dove season and would allow hunters to take up to 15 birds a day for a 70-day period beginning Sept. 1.

Both sides were well-represented among the roughly 60 people at the hearing, which was an opportunity for people to submit comments about what they believed should or shouldn't be included in the rules that will govern the new hunting season.

After one audience member barked at another one to “shut up” while she was tying to make a point, moderator Willie Suchy had to step in and remind everyone to keep their composure.

“Keep your comments civil and respectable when somebody's making a comment up here,” said Suchy, a wildlife research supervisor with the Department of Natural Resources “It's not really time to harass, no matter which side you're on.”

Audience members were given three minutes to say whatever they wanted as long as it pertained to the season rules that were under consideration.

Several used the time to justify their positions on mourning dove hunting and why it was good or bad for the state, wildlife, people and/or the economy. Iowa has been one of 10 states that does not allow people to hunt mourning doves.

“There's nothing wrong with feeling emotional about this, with feeling very strongly that doves should not be killed just for the fact that they can be,” said Alex Lemke of West Des Moines. “We have plenty of other animals that we can kill in this state; I don't understand why we have to have another living creature to torture, to kill.”

Hunters said the activity will bring Iowa in line with most other states in the region and local hunters wouldn't have to travel to, or spend their money in, other states to hunt doves.

“I enjoy hearing the dove coo as much as anybody,” said Denny Baker, a hunter from Marshall County. “I have a tremendous population where I live ... Those doves have migrated through areas where they are harvested, and I look forward to the upcoming season.”

A couple of speakers eschewed the legislative argument and, instead, took issue with very specific points. Ari Stone, a hunter from Elkader, said the energy that opponents and proponents spent in the room arguing would be better spent ensuring that lead shot is prohibited for use when dove hunting, as it is for waterfowl.

Suchy said it is possible that the Natural Resources Commission could put some rules in place that would restrict the types of shot used, but an outright ban is not likely without support from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Jim Walters, an Iowa City man who identified himself as a bird watcher and a hunter, said everybody in the room should be worried about how the bill passed.

The legislation passed in 72 hours when lawmakers put the dove hunting language onto a bill that dealt with raccoon hunting. The maneuver allowed the dove hunting language to forego the usual committee process where members of the public can share their feelings directly with lawmakers in face-to-face meetings.

“Even if you're a hunter, you cannot take pride in the way this bill was passed,” Walters said. “This process was flawed, and they can use this process ... to do anything they want.”

The rules are scheduled to be voted on at the commission's Aug. 11 meeting.