MIchigan has never really had a dove season....there were a few off and ons, where we tried to have the DNR institute a season and then it would be shut down by some liberal judge after the antis pitched a fit!
Back in 1995, there was a referendum on the ballot to allow
sound scientific management by the DNR in order to establish season, bag limits, ect. The DNR decided that MI hunters were loosing hunting opportunites by not being allowed to hunt doves in their home state, and established a season......the antis freaked, and got a judge to block the season. Another judge said in order for it to be on the ballot, the antis had to get X number of signatures, which they did.....and they did it by lying (doves are only used for target practice, they aren't eaten, they are endangered, ect.).
At no time did any prohunting organization step in and show the general population what the antis were up to!
As election day neared, there were quite a few antidove hunting commercials on the tube and the radio( one even featured a dude who claimed to be a deer hunter, and he wouldn't shoot a little dove), but NOT ONE that was pro dove hunting......the major deer hunting organizations in MI didn't feel it was worth their time. MUCC, which pushed for the season, didn't do anything but give lip service....no money was spent on any commercials to confront the anti's lies!
Now it is pretty much considered a dead issue; I have since let my membership with MUCC expire, as they obviously don't have my best interest at heart, and the next time some deer hunting organization wants my support, the can kiss my ass!
At any rate, that's a cool pic of your muzzleloader.....hopefully your next pic will have a few doves to go with it!
