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Sportsmen's coalition formed to support Michigan dove bill (10/10/2003)
The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and other Michigan conservation groups have united in a grassroots coalition to pass a mourning dove hunting bill in the state. The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance has helped organize the Michigan Hunting Rights Campaign, the coalition of sportsmen's organizations working to pass House Bill 5029, a bill to allow dove hunting. Rep. Susan Tabor, R-Delta Township, introduced the measure. In addition to the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, members include the Commemorative Bucks of Michigan, Michigan Bear Hunters Association, Michigan Hunting Dog Federation, Michigan State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and the National Rifle Association. Mourning doves are the most abundant game bird in North America. Michigan wildlife biologists say that the state has enough doves to support a hunting season. Out-of-state anti-hunting groups have vowed to stop HB 5029. The groups include the New York-based Fund for Animals, the Animal Protection Institute of Sacramento and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), based in Washington, D.C. "This issue is not entirely about dove hunting," said Dan Potter, president of the Michigan Chapter of the NWTF and a coalition member. "If we lose this fight, it is only a matter of time before the anti's come back to eliminate bowhunting, bear hunting, turkey hunting and more. The sportsmen's community cannot allow this to happen, whether we as individuals plan to hunt doves or not." Also supporting the effort to pass HB 5029 are the Michigan United Conservation Clubs and the Michigan Chapter of Safari Club International. Michigan sportsmen's organizations that are ready to stand up for their hunting rights should join the Michigan Hunting Rights Campaign. Contact the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance at (614) 888-4868 for more information. Sportsmen should also contact their legislators and tell them to vote "yes" on HB 5029. To find your representative and for contact information, use the Legislative Action Center on the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance homepage, www.ussportsmen.org or go to www.michiganlegislature.org and click on the "Related Sites" link. The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers nationally in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868. CopyrightÓ U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance- www.ussportsmen.org
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