Senate Bill S1598 Relates to including the mourning dove within the definition of “migratory game birds” and to allow for their taking
This bill was introduced on January 15 2019 by Senator Thomas O’Mara out fo the 58th district. It is co-sponsored by Senator Michael Ranzenhofer of the 61st district and Senator James Seward of the 51st district.
The most important text from the bill is as follows
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS: Section 1. Subparagraph 1 of paragraph a of subdivision 2 of section 11-0103 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by chapter 47 of the laws of 1976, is amended to read as follows: "Migratory game birds" means the Anatidae or waterfowl, commonly known as geese, brant, swans and river and sea ducks; the Rallidae, commonly known as rails,
American coots, mud hens and gallinules; the Limicolae or shorebirds, commonly known as woodcock, snipe, plover, surfbirds, sandpipers, tatt- lers and curlews; the Corvidae, commonly known as jays, crows and magpies; the Zenaida macroura, commonly known as the mourning dove
Currently NY does not have Mourning dove hunting. During the early 1900s, NY and many other states banned Mourning Dove hunting. Since than, many states have reinstated dove hunting with the exception of New York, Michigan, New Jersey, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Alaska.
Michigan is the only other state outside of the northeast that still does not allow dove hunting. Michigan did reinstate its dove hunting season in 2004; only to have that season repealed two short years later in 2006. The Humane Society of the United States contracted with PCI Consultants, Inc. to win a public opinion battle which resulted in the fate of Michigan’s dove hunting season being decided on in a referendum ballot in the general election. 69% of Michigan voters (2,534,680) voted against dove hunting and 31% (1,137,379) voted in favor of it. (Remember with any reference to voters; that most people do not vote). The Humane Society of the US also made a similar effort which failed twice in Rhode Island in 2007 and then again in 2009.
Dove season in NY would create an exceptional hunting opportunity for its residents. It would boost conservation funding and general economic activity. It would add to the cultural value of hunting and provide food and recreational opportunity. It’s also a great hunting activity for many who cannot participate in other hunting due to health or other reasons. Where dove hunting exists, the opening day of dove season id like the super bowl of hunting events. Nobody misses it and its a huge financial boom for the economy.
Now more than ever is the time to make your voice heard. Write letters or emails to your local assembly representative, you can find your district according to the NY assembly district map below. Let them know you do support S1598. I , let’s keep the ball rolling and stand up for what we believe.
Write your letters now and make a difference. I have included an attachement link for a DRAFT LETTER which you are welcome to download, edit, and use for yourself. If you want to look up bills you can visit the following link.
Below is a list of legislation I have found linked to Senator Thomas O’Mara. I only included bills that he proposed involving, guns, animals, pets, or hunting/fishing. I’ve tried to include them without bias as to whether I thought they were harmful or beneficial. This dude is a dog with a bone, when he wants something he goes after it again and again and again. It’s important that if you agree with these policies, make your voice heard. If you disagree with these policies… MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
S941 Relates to hunting, fishing and outdoor education in high school physical education courses
S1882 Relates to monies included in the environmental protection fund
S6534 Relates to the management of certain marine species
S4739A Establishes the yearling buck protection program
S5301 Relates to deer and bear, open hunting seasons and implements, hunting age for big game, crossbows, pheasant and quail; repealer
S7202 Relates to including the mourning dove within the definition of “migratory game birds” and to allow for their taking
S8569 Relates to monies included in the environmental protection fund
S5719 Relates to licensing of guides and outfitters
S2820 Relates to hunting, fishing and outdoor education in high school physical education courses
S7952 Relates to the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage deer and bear SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
S8100 Extends the effectiveness of chapter 122 of 2000 relating to authorizing sweepstakes with respect to subscriptions to “The Conservationist” SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
S8101 Relates to extending the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage monkfish SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
S8103 Relates to extending the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage striped bass SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
S7950 Relates to the management of migratory game birds; extends effectiveness SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
S7951 Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to adopt regulations for hunting in the northern zone SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
S7197 Relates to extending the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage fish SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
S1446 Relates to the confinement of animals in private facilities
S1625 Relates to hunting, fishing and outdoor education in high school physical education courses
S3932 Enacts the “microbead-free waters act” to prohibit the sale of personal cosmetic products containing microbeads
S7192 Relates to the management of certain marine species
S7222 Extends provisions of law relating to the management of lobster
S7890 Extends provisions of law relating to the management of American lobster SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
S1564 Authorizes the commissioner of environmental conservation to grant utility easements within reforestation areas upon certain findings
S5135 Relates to extending the authority of the department of conservation to manage deer and bear SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
S5137 Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to adopt regulations for hunting in the northern zone SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
S5134 Relates to extending provisions relating to the management of migratory game birds SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
S5133 Relates to the special powers of the New York state environmental facilities corporation SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
S4176 Relates to the cost of various hunting, fishing and trapping licenses
S7273A Relates to aquatic invasive species and spread prevention
S7851B Relates to aquatic invasive species and spread prevention
S3296 Relates to hunting, fishing and outdoor education in high school physical education courses
S3291 Relates to the confinement of animals in private facilities
S7436 Relates to the possession and use of pistols and revolvers by students of a higher education institution participating in a course in gun safety SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
S5105 Authorizes permanent hunting in the county of Schuyler SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
S4658 Relates to hunting, fishing and outdoor education in high school physical education courses
S4759 Authorizes the commissioner of environmental conservation to grant utility easements within reforestation areas upon certain findings
S5106 Authorizes permanent hunting in the counties of Chemung, Steuben, and Yates SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
S5467 Relates to the confinement of animals in private facilities
