Dear Senator              (Or Governor Vilsack)

RE: HF 43  (Migratory Birds)

It troubles me deeply that a law allowing the shooting of mourning doves
may possibly pass our stateís legislative system, and I wonder how this
can be. The word about town is that the main reason for hunting mourning
doves is not for the meat, for which there is little (less than two
ounces), but that they make excellent target practice, a preparation for
hunting quail. Is this a legitimate reason to be taking a life? And not
just any life either--a beautiful bird that sings an absolutely
bewitching mating song, (endearing to thousands of Americans across the
country) harms nothing, and, though abundant, is in no way overpopulated
as to create a nuisance.

We can be a lot more creative and humane in devising a practice target
rather than killing something; hang a can from a string and swing it. I
do not doubt the thrill that comes from shooting a live target but I'm
in favor of delaying that gratification until one is hunting for the
food that one is going to put on the table.

I would like to think that the people representing me in government
think in terms that encompass the greatest good to all life. The
responsibility in making laws has to go beyond the immediate
consideration of satisfying a portion of constituents, especially in a
case like this when so much life is at stake.

Please oppose legislation that permits the creation of a mourning dove
hunting season. Thank you.

Sincerely,