III

107TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 275

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

MARCH 7, 2002

Received and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

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;
2

HCON 275 RFS

Whereas mourning doves are the most widely distributed and

harvested game birds in North America;

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
3

HCON 275 RFS

1 of 37 degrees north latitude, as approved by the par2 ties to the appropriate international agreement;

3 (2) such an extended hunting season will—

4 (A) improve hunting opportunities in the

5 United States without causing negative impacts

6 on mourning dove populations;

7 (B) through the sale of hunting permits,

8 generate additional revenue that may be used

9 for the better management and conservation of

10 mourning doves and other wildlife species; and

11 (C) continue to provide for the conserva12 tion and enhancement of mourning dove popu13 lations;

14 (3) the United States should take immediate

15 steps to begin discussions with the appropriate par16 ties to ensure that all Americans have an oppor17 tunity to harvest migratory mourning doves in an

18 equitable manner; and

19 (4) hunters in all States located north of 37 de20 grees north latitude and the wildlife management
4

HCON 275 RFS

1 agencies of those States should support an earlier

2 opening date for the mourning dove hunting season.

Passed the House of Representatives March 6,

2002.

Attest: JEFF TRANDAHL,

Clerk.