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<PRE>[DOCID: f:hc275ih.txt]






107th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 275

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

                           November 16, 2001

  Mr. Hansen 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 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;
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
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that, to provide 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 hunting during the last 
        week of August in areas north of 37 degrees north latitude, as 
        approved by the parties 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 conservation and 
                enhancement of mourning dove populations;
            (3) the United States should take immediate steps to begin 
        discussions with the appropriate parties to ensure that all 
        Americans have an opportunity to harvest migratory mourning 
        doves in an equitable manner; and
            (4) hunters in all States located north of 37 degrees north 
        latitude and the wildlife management agencies of those States 
        should support an earlier opening date for the mourning dove 
        hunting season.
                                 &lt;all&gt;

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