Posted on 07/06/2005 12:45:09 PM PDT by neverdem
Proposed hunting regulations add two species to limits
Two new species of dove spreading across Colorado could be dodging shotgun blasts this fall under a change in hunting regulations being considered by the Colorado Wildlife Commission.
The Eurasian collared-dove and the white-winged dove, two birds whose numbers are on the rise, may be added to the list of species that are legal to hunt this month by the commission.
Gunnison hunter Pat Reilly, who said he was startled to find a small flock of collared-doves in town this winter, said regulations are needed.
"They're going to be shot by dove hunters," Reilly said. "They look like a mourning dove on steroids - they're huge."
Eurasian collared-doves, first introduced to the Bahamas in 1975, have now spread across much of the southern U.S. The large dove, distinguished by a dark stripe across the back of the neck, has been recorded in at least 30 of Colorado's 64 counties. Biologists estimate there may be 2,000 of the birds in the state, according to Tom Remington, chief of the Colorado Division of Wildlife's terrestrial programs.
White-winged doves, which are native to the southwestern U.S., are found in Colorado primarily along the Front Range.
Both look like mourning doves, a native bird avidly sought by some hunters.
Neither Eurasian collared-doves nor white-winged doves can be legally hunted in Colorado. But in recent years, hunters have mistaken both species for mourning doves.
Remington said the limited research on collared-doves suggests they settle in areas between city-loving pigeons and rural mourning doves. The collared-doves appear to yield to native mourning doves in competition for food.
Currently, dove hunters can take up to 15 mourning doves per day. Under the proposed regulations, hunters would have a daily bag limit of 15 mourning doves and white-winged doves combined.
For collared-doves, biologists recommended no bag limit for hunters who present the birds at check stations with feathers on, so they can be identified.
If hunters clean their birds, collared-doves would be included in the daily 15-bird bag limit.
The fact that biologists are recommending no bag limit does not mean the Division of Wildlife is trying to eradicate collared-doves, Remington said.
"The southeastern states have had them for a number of years and no impact has been detected in mourning dove populations," he said. "We've had reports now from virtually every corner of the state. The simple truth is we probably couldn't do anything about it if we wanted to."
The commission is expected to vote on the proposals at its monthly meeting July 14 and 15 in Grand Junction.
Staff writer Theo Stein can be reached at 303-820-1657 or tstein@denverpost.com.
There really is a dripping irony in this story. :)
If we just called 'em pigeons suddenly no one (almost) would care anymore. The "bird of peace" symbolism is a real boon for those things.
Yes, but do they taste as good grilled?
Good. Dove hunting rocks and bigger is definitely better, dove-wise.
whats the difference between a eurasian collar-dove and a ring necked pigeon? the descriptions sound the same to me.
First time I've ever heard someone from government say that. Hope it catches on!
The collared-doves should be declared to be pests with no limits.
Sounds good. Looking forward to September.
Bridgkeeper: What is the airspeed of an unladen dove?
Arthur: Do you mean a Eurasian collared-dove, or a white-winged dove?
Bridgkeeper: I don't know.
Bridgkeeper: AAARRRRRGHHHHHHHHHH!
Ummm... That's basically what it says. At least as long as you leave the feathers on so they can be identified as such.
This one doesn't appear to be in the wild...
thats the same as the regs here in AZ
I've seen some weird splotchy cinnamon colored pigeons in the neighborhood lately - anyone know what they are?
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