The Minnesota House and Senate this month approved a final version of an omnibus bill revising statutory language that governs the state Department of Natural Resources that explicitly authorizes a mourning dove hunting season for that state. Gov. Tim Pawlenty is expected to sign the bill into law.
The bill designates mourning doves as game birds and requires that,
By March 1, 2005, the commissioner shall report to the house and senate policy committees with jurisdiction over natural resources on the results of the mourning dove season
authorized by this act. The report must include a description of the impact of the season on the mourning dove population in the state.
If Pawlenty signs the bill, Minnesota will become the 40th state in the United States to have a mourning dove season.
The full text of the bill can be read here.
Source:
Minnesota dove bill headed to governor. Press Release, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, May 11, 2004.