IV

107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 275

Expressing the sense of the Congress that hunting seasons for migratory

mourning doves should be modified so that individuals have a fair and

equitable opportunity to hunt such birds.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NOVEMBER 16, 2001

Mr. HANSEN submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was

referred to the Committee on Resources

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Congress that hunting seasons

for migratory mourning doves should be modified so that

individuals have a fair and equitable opportunity to hunt

such birds.

Whereas the vast majority of mourning doves that hatch,

fledge, and nest in States north of 37 degrees north latitude migrate south beyond the boundaries of those States

before the national hunting season opening date of September 1, thus denying hunters in those States an equitable opportunity to harvest this species;

Whereas mourning doves are the most widely distributed and

harvested game birds in North America;
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Whereas current regulated hunting for mourning doves has

been conclusively found to cause no significant effects on

recruitment of fledglings in mourning dove populations;

Whereas sportsmen have a strong commitment to the health,

conservation, and enjoyment of wildlife, as demonstrated

by the millions of dollars they have voluntarily paid over

the past 70 years into the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund established by the Pittman-Robertson

Wildlife Restoration Act (16 U.S.C. 669 et seq.);

Whereas mourning dove hunting has been a cherished and

honored tradition in the United States for generations;

Whereas migratory bird hunters provide millions of dollars to

wildlife conservation and local economies; and

Whereas millions of hunters in States north of 37 degrees

north latitude are currently unable to experience hunting

conditions similar to conditions in other regions of the

country with respect to game availability because of the

current unfair hunting season restrictions: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that, to pro3 vide a fair and equitable opportunity for individuals to

4 hunt for mourning doves—

5 (1) the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918

6 should be modified to allow for mourning dove hunt7 ing during the last week of August in areas north

8 of 37 degrees north latitude, as approved by the par9 ties to the appropriate international agreement;

10 (2) such an extended hunting season will—
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1 (A) improve hunting opportunities in the

2 United States without causing negative impacts

3 on mourning dove populations;

4 (B) through the sale of hunting permits,

5 generate additional revenue that may be used

6 for the better management and conservation of

7 mourning doves and other wildlife species; and

8 (C) continue to provide for the conserva9 tion and enhancement of mourning dove popu10 lations;

11 (3) the United States should take immediate

12 steps to begin discussions with the appropriate par13 ties to ensure that all Americans have an oppor14 tunity to harvest migratory mourning doves in an

15 equitable manner; and

16 (4) hunters in all States located north of 37 de17 grees north latitude and the wildlife management

18 agencies of those States should support an earlier

19 opening date for the mourning dove hunting season.

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