IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 90
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 
MARCH 11, 2003
Mr. OTTER 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 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; 
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 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 
of 37 degrees north latitude, as approved by the par-
ties to the appropriate international agreement; 
(2) such an extended hunting season will—
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(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 
agencies of those States should support an earlier 
opening date for the mourning dove hunting season.
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