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 lati-
tude migrate south beyond the boundaries of those States
before the national hunting season opening date of Sep-
tember 1, thus denying hunters in those States an equi-
table opportunity to harvest this species;
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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 Res-
toration 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, there-
fore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that, to pro-
vide a fair and equitable opportunity for individuals to
hunt for mourning doves—
(1) the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
should be modified to allow for mourning dove hunt-
ing during the last week of August in areas north
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of 37 degrees north latitude, as approved by the par-
ties to the appropriate international agreement;
(2) such an extended hunting season will—
(A) improve hunting opportunities in the
United States without causing negative impacts
on mourning dove populations;
(B) through the sale of hunting permits,
generate additional revenue that may be used
for the better management and conservation of
mourning doves and other wildlife species; and
(C) continue to provide for the conserva-
tion and enhancement of mourning dove popu-
lations;
(3) the United States should take immediate
steps to begin discussions with the appropriate par-
ties to ensure that all Americans have an oppor-
tunity to harvest migratory mourning doves in an
equitable manner; and
(4) hunters in all States located north of 37 de-
grees north latitude and the wildlife management
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agencies of those States should support an earlier
opening date for the mourning dove hunting season.
Passed the House of Representatives March 6,
2002.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk.