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mike rossi

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  1. mike rossi
    Dove hunting compared to other forms of hunting is low-exertion and not equipment intensive. For those reasons, in addition to the wide-spread abundance of doves; hunting them provides more opportunity than any other form of hunting. Low-exertion does not mean easy. Hunting any species involves knowledge of your quarry and doves are no exception. Hunters must apply that knowledge to locate dove habitat, determine the pattern of the birds, and select a well hidden vantage point and be patient. The difficulty of shooting a dove is legendary. A shotgun is effective up to 40 yards. A dove can be in and out of range in seconds. Not as wary as a crow, but you must be well hidden and make your move at the right moment or you won’t get a shot off. Even top clay target shooters find doves extremely challenging. In clay target shooting the flight line and speed of the target is constant. You know when the target is coming; where it is coming from; where it is going, and what lead technique to use. Not so with game-birds and as a matter of fact when a dove detects a hunter it accelerates and changes direction. Dove hunting requires you to make your move at the precise correct moment and choose the appropriate shooting technique within the moment the bird is within range and if the bird detects you, adapt your method to the bird’s reaction.
  2. mike rossi
    And while New Jersey's WMA lands would be the most logical areas for dove hunting, they are not planted with many crops and doves in these areas would be very limited. And NJ has other problems. The State of NJ has neither the time nor additional monetary resources to battle the anti's who will come out in force to counter the dove hunt. As one biologist explained to me; "The problem is the animal rights advocates are extremely well organized and vocal whereas sportsmen are not. Anti-hunters don't give a hoot about data or reason - it's all about their emotions, and you know how politicians are." The State's legal team and biologists are busy spending effort, time and money battling for a bear hunt each season. Message me about who that biologist is, I want to talk to him. The additional conservation funding obtained from desinating doves a gamebird and/or hunting of doves; could be put into habitat for doves, it may be crops or it may be native plants which produces massive tonnages of birdseed - these habitat enhancements would not only benifet doves, but many other species including nongame and listed species. It is the state's wildlife divisions obligation to fight court battles against policies which are not ecologically sound and that isnt a budget consideration. Groups like the Humane Society should be held accountable for frivilous lawsuits and made to pay back the states legal costs. Nonprofit hunting advocacy organizations also help states. Problem is sportsman arent getting on their backs about doves. I recently complained to the Congressional Sportsmens Caucus that they were not properly representing hunters by wasting resources fighting a lead shot ban. I explained that they were misleading and incorrect that sciencetific consensus does not support the ban and that ingested lead shot does not impact birds. I also explained that if you take lead shot out of the equation; that the anti hunting lobby has nothing to stand on except "doves are special" and doves are peaceful". Thus, fighting a lead shot ban is actually counterproductive to establishing dove seasons in the handful of states which dont hunt doves.
  3. mike rossi
    No, we are working on a video. It will be available soon. Like I said, it would be great if someone else could launch the facebook page. Still not sure if social media is the way to reach an ageing population of hunters, small game hunters particularily, who are even older on average. Plus too may trendy anti hunter types on social media, isnt that true?
  4. mike rossi
    Non hunters, antis, and city slickers will say the same thing about whitetails and turkeys.... And - mourning doves will never become extinct like Dodo birds. Or passenger pigeons...
  5. mike rossi
    Federal Law specifically addresses food plots for doves. Manipulating a crop to attract migratory gamebirds is considered baiting and is illegal. You cant scatter waste grain unless it is in the normal course of agriculture. Same applies for waterfowl, but the fed regs expressively mention mourning doves - look it up if you dont believe me. Granted classical dove hunting is portrayed as during the peak of migration in harvested grain or sunflowers. However, doves overwinter like resident geese and sizable flocks of doves use a wide variety of habitats. Even if you are not hunting in the classical way; doves are still the most numerous and widespread gamebird. Even if it wasnt the best dove hunting that exists, it would still be incredible hunting.
  6. mike rossi
    The senate Environmental Conservation committee has a meeting in two days on May 15th. Tues. 9am-10am room 901 LOB. However SB-6968 is not even on the agenda, Get those letters in!
  7. mike rossi
    Let’s see how long this list can get…. Fill in the blank: I am ________________and I want to hunt doves! I am a paraplegic and I want to hunt doves! I am a senior citizen and I want to hunt doves! I am a person with arthritis and I want to hunt doves! Back problems Asthma Limited resources or Fixed income A parent A guardian A child A grandparent A grandchild An uncle An Aunt A nephew A niece A husband A wife A boyfriend A girlfriend A novice A person who never hunted but adopted a retriever breed from a shelter A dog rescue volunteer with a bunch of bored dogs A person whose doctor prescribed light exercise A person with a busy schedule A person who cannot handle heavy recoil & loud report A hunter with an ageing retriever who just can’t do the ducks anymore
  8. mike rossi
    Form Letter to Advocates/Partners TO: Safari Club International, NY Bow-Hunters, NY Trappers Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation Cc. US Sportsmen’s Alliance C/O Jeremy Rymes Dear Sportsmen’s Advocate; NY currently has legislation pending in the senate environmental conservation committee which would increase federal conservation funds to our state. It also would give the DEC authority to eventually set a dove hunting season. The NY “dove bill” is SB-6968. The state of Iowa recently won a ten-year long battle for a dove season. Videos of some of the last eleven Iowa dove hearings are available on YouTube on the channel retiren11w. Iowa wing-shooters had help this time. The Iowa Bow Hunters Assoc., Iowa Trappers Assoc., Iowa Chapter of Safari Club International, National Wild Turkey Federation, and Pheasants Forever were facilitative in getting a dove season in Iowa. I am writing on behalf of all sportsmen to ask your member roster or lobbyist to contact the NY legislature in support of SB-6968.
  9. mike rossi
    Partners #1 Iowa’s ten year battle for a dove season was won with the help of Iowa Chapter of Safari Club International; Pheasants Forever, National Wild Turkey Federation, Iowa Trappers Association, and the Iowa Bow hunters Association. We need to compel our state’s equivalents to help us pass NY SB- 6968, the “dove bill”; just like their sister organizations did in Iowa. We will produce a series of contact sheets for you to contact these organizations and ask them to please get on the bus! The first organization this notice will address is the Safari Club International. The Safari Club as of today, 3pm; has no information posted about SB-6968. We need to contact the Safari Club and tell them we ARE interested in a dove season to give priority to senate bill -6968! Call Nikki Lucas at the Washington DC office for hunting advocacy and science based conservation: (800) 711-8315. Then Email the New York Chapter reps: Larry Stiener: [email protected] William J. Scheg, Jr.: [email protected] Mark Zucco: [email protected] Tristate Rep: Michael S. Clifford: [email protected] Mark Mann: [email protected]
  10. mike rossi
    Just keep things relevant and not inflammatory to the anti-hunting lobby. We are NOT addressing the anti-hunters. We ARE addressing: 1) Hunters who are not familiar with dove hunting, to generate their interest in it. 2) NY and NJ Legislature to educate them about: a) Effect of dove hunting on the local economies of rural communities. Effect of dove hunting on conservation funds derived from the excise tax on hunting equipment. c) The recreational aspect of dove hunting, including how it is different from other forms of hunting. Dove Hunting Advocates/Lobbyists Wanted! Would you help NY and NJ hunters lobby for a dove hunting season? Please review the following sites and get back to me. You can also sign up to receive e- mail update info from #1 and #2 below. 1) Send email asking to subscribe to: [email protected] 2) httpp://www.ussportsmen.org/legislative-action/new-york-bill-would-pave-the-way-for-dove-hunting-season/ 3) Take a look at this Anti - Hunting You Tube Channel which shows the misery they gave the state of Iowa for 10 years in trying to legalize dove hunting: retiren11w 4) Go to these 3 message boards and look under the political/legislative forums for dove hunting. This will provide insight into what is going on and the attitudes of the hunters. http://huntingny.com http://nytrappers.proboards.com http://www.newjerseyhunters.com We need videos; speakers, writers, phone callers, bloggers.
  11. mike rossi
    I keep hearing the same old (literally old) comments on every single sportsmen's issue that does not regard deer hunting and the deer herd. OK. There were a couple of failed NY dove bills in the 1980s (which I will point out was before we had the internet as a fast &cheap communication tool). And... in 2006 the DEC mailed out 5,000 surveys asking hunters if they ever thought about dove hunting.... And as a result of that survey, the DEC decided to wait and posted a web page that is still posted saying so.... Fine. So what did the pessimistic sportsmen do in 1980 and in 2006? And what are they going to do in 2012 - that is DIFFERENT? What are they going to do to help pass NY SB-6968? Does anyone actually believe ANYTHING can get done by do nothing other then dwelling on past failures? I dont care what Bubba says, a shovel doesnt make you a gardener and a deer rifle doesnt make you a hunter. Instead of quoting Bubba; quote Einstien: "Insanity is doing the same thing that has not worked, over and over again and expecting a different outcome." Dont wait for "them" and stop listening to bubba. We need to flood the legislature with contact and we need to become educated about doves, dove hunting, and how it relates to conservation funding and local economies and recruitment of new hunters. We need to EXCITE other sportsmen about dove hunting - generate interest in going dove hunting!
  12. mike rossi
    An old hunting partner told me years ago his Ithaca Deer Slayer had a rifled barrel, I took his word for it - but thinking about it, Im not sure that wouldnt be considered a rifle? Slugs are called "rifled slugs" but I think I remember that is because the slug itself has spiral groves? And that the old groveless slugs were called "pumkin balls? Its all a blur now I dont hunt deer, but could someone clarify that for me? Sounds like you got a few guns and are not a rank beginer, but the following is for the benefit of the readers who need more info. Cylinder is not the same as improved cylinder (IC). Cylinder has no constriction; but IC does choke the barrel. I directly communicated with some of the outdoor writers who are ballistic guys, like Brezny. According to them; generally large shot produces more uniform patterns, but tight chokes with larger shot tends to degrade the pattern. Smaller shot produces denser patterns and is more compatible with tighter chokes, but the pattern has more stray pellets. High velocity loads also increase stray pellets, according to these guys. Hard shot such as steel and other non toxic shot produces better patterns than lead shot, according to them. I use an improved modified choke with 3 inch shells containing 2 ounces of non toxic shot. The best shot size for pattern quaility varies between brand of shell and gun to gun; but these 2 ounce loads are available in #4,5,6,7; as well as duplex loads. If I was using 3.5 inch shells I would opt for the heaviest payload available. If I cant find 2 ounces, I ussually can find at least 1.75 ounce loads. Heavier payloads have more shot & lower velocities, both of which are factors in producing better patterns. If your gun is chambered for 3.5, by all means use them.
  13. mike rossi
    Elmo, you are refering to a cylinder bore, not a smooth bore. Cylinder bore means the bore is not constricted or "choked". Smooth bore refers to the lack of "rifling" in the barrel of shotguns. Rifling is spiral grooves in the barrel of rifles; hence the name; to spin the bullet. (Im not getting into that). Shotguns were/are sometimes refered to as "smooth bores". Look at the inside of the barrel of a shotgun (except slug barrels - see below) and a rifle - you will see the difference. Shotgun barrels designed specifically for "rifled slugs", are NOT smoothbores, they have spiral rifling inside the barrel and are ussually "cylinder bore". I guess technically they are rifle barrels; although they have always been called slug barrels.
  14. mike rossi
    In case somebody isnt aware, if the gun has threads for a choke, dont shoot it without a tube.Removable choke tubes have only been around like 25 years or so; there are many guns with fixed chokes. Yes, you can use fixed chokes for turkeys and you dont need a super tight special turkey choke either. Any gun, choke, and legal ammunition combination will work - but you need some range time to determine your effective kill distance with that combination. You can experiment with different combinations to find the optimum; but that isnt a must, its more the Indian than it is the bow. A huge market has been created in fairly recent years for specialized turkey guns, ammo, and chokes. Whether you invest in special gear or not; some range time and practice judging distance goes a long way. Range Finders take a lot of the guess work out of it. The concept of putting the range finder on game, reading it, then picking up your weapon is wrong. Its actually used before game is sighted by taking readings on rocks, trees, etc. for a frame of reference. Personally, I like to keep my shots within 35 yards. If you shoot turkeys in the body, eventually you will roll one over and it will get up and fly away - aim for the head & neck.
  15. mike rossi
    Contact him today! We need to get this bill out of committee however; so everybody needs to hammer the en con committee. Unless your under about age 5, this may be your last chance for a dove season in NY!
  16. mike rossi
    If they think thats spam, society has (another problem). The en con committee got the bill, and they decide if it will move forward for a vote. Mailing the chairman would be sufficient, but these people need to know we know who they are and whether they vote for US. If they dont vote for US we wont vote for THEM.... If they dont kill the bill, then we need to contact every other assembly and senate rep. We should also contact the sponsors of the bill and thank them and tell them NY hunters will support them at election time. If it gets passed by the legislature, the governor still must approve it, at that point it may be wise to contact him. Dove bills notoriously turn into a series of public comment hearings, with anti - h-u-nters introducing a ton of issues. If that happens, it may be necessary to address those issues with different letters; so please everybody be prepared to contact a lot of people several times. The state of Iowa, which is a hunter friendly state bordering South Dakota, had a world war over a dove season that lasted several years; before the state finally passed dove hunting about 2 years ago. The hearings are on youtube; just search for Iowa Dove hunting Bill, one anti channel has 10 hearings videos. Please look at these videos to understand what is likely to occur.
  17. mike rossi
    Thats on my list ....Theres a bunch of people who need this, can somebody pull this up and post it? I started a third thread, that shouldnt happen again, please use that one. Stuff on here isnt accurate, I updated it on thread 3. Shouldnt get as long and drawn out.
  18. mike rossi
    The other two topics got too long and convoluted - bear with me, lets start fresh on this thread. Thanks! The link to the actual bill: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/s6968-2011 UPDATE: The bill is getting its "first interview” with the senate en con committee; so that’s were the first round of letters/emails should go. As the bill progresses; you then contact the senate rep for your area; then as it progresses you would contact the assembly rep for your area, then finally the governor’s office. As the situation evolves; the form letter may change as well, but that’s unknown. It is important to get these to the senate en con committee NOW! (Individual contacts to each committee member) If the bill survives and goes up the chain, I will keep you informed. If anyone will help people determine their reps, please step up to the plate! Here’s the form letter: (don’t forget your name and address) RE: Senate Bill 6968 Dear Senator __________________________________________________; I am writing to ask you to support Senate Bill 6968. In order for wildlife professionals, such as DEC wildlife biologists to properly manage a species; that species must be classified correctly. Mourning Doves are not currently categorized with other species which share the attributes that ornithologists and wildlife biologists believe makes them similar. Without a status designation; the state’s wildlife agency not only forfeits federal funding, but also the flexibility to manage a species the best it can. Incorrect status is as bad as no designation. Mourning Doves, like other migratory species, have been intensely studied and monitored by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for decades. Migratory birds are co-managed by the USFWS, the individual states, and through international treaties with Canada and Mexico. The USFWS classifies the Mourning Dove as a game bird. Sincerely,
  19. mike rossi
    I made some important changes to that letter, take a look before you send it. I also pasted the entire bill, but heres the link: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/s6968-2011
  20. mike rossi
    HERE IS THE ACTUAL BILL: read it and make your comment at this link: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/s6968-2011 S6968-2011: Authorizes and directs the commissioner of environmental conservation to include the mourning dove within the meaning of the definition of "migratory game birds" Versions: S6968-2011 Print HTML Page / Print Original Bill Format / / Read or Leave Comments Authorizes and directs the commissioner of environmental conservation to include the mourning dove within the meaning of the definition of "migratory game birds". Sponsor: DEFRANCISCO / Co-sponsor(s): RITCHIE, VALESKY / Committee: ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION Law Section: Environmental Conservation S6968-2011 Actions Apr 18, 2012: REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION S6968-2011 Memo BILL NUMBER:S6968 TITLE OF BILL: An act in relation to directing the commissioner of environmental conservation to include the mourning dove within the definition of "migratory game birds" PURPOSE: This bill would reclassify the mourning dove to migratory game bird status. SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS: Section 1 - Authorizes and directs the commissioner of environmental conservation to include within the meaning of the definition of "migratory game birds", as set forth in section 2.30 of part 2 of subchapter A of chapter 1 of title 6 of New York state codes, rules and regulations, the mourning dove. It further directs such commissioner to make any addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation for the implementation of this within 60 days of the effective date of this act. Section 2 - Effective date. EXISTING LAW: The mourning dove currently does not possess this status. JUSTIFICATION: With the reclassification of the mourning dove NYS DEC can receive federal funds to study, survey, regulate and preserve theses birds. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: New bill. FISCAL IMPLICATIONS: None to state. EFFECTIVE DATE: This act shall take effect immediately. S6968-2011 Text S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K 6968 I N SENATE April 18, 2012 Introduced by Sen. DeFRANCISCO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conser vation AN ACT in relation to directing the commissioner of environmental conservation to include the mourning dove within the definition of "migratory game birds" THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The commissioner of environmental conservation is hereby authorized and directed to include within the meaning of the definition of "migratory game birds", as set forth in section 2.30 of part 2 of subchapter A of chapter 1 of title 6 of the New York state codes, rules and regulations, the mourning dove (Zenaida macroura). Such commissioner is further directed to make any addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act within 60 days of the effective date of this act. S 2. This act shall take effect immediately. EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD15386-01-2 COMMENTS In addition to forfeiture of federal funding; the state's ability to co-manage a migratory species with the US Fish and Wildlife Service is compromised. It should also be noted the USFWS also co-manages this species with Mexico and Canada with treaty agreements. The classification is relevant to biological attributes. Similar attributes require similar management. The differences may be obvious between a penguin and a hawk. The differences between a dove and a blue jay may seem subtle, but the two species are much different. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has studied and monitored Mourning Doves for many years and they categorize it as a game bird. M. Rossi
  21. mike rossi
    Typo: change the third sentence to read: Mourning Doves are currently not categorized with other species that share the attributes which ornithologists and wildlife biologists believe makes them similiar. I am going to paste the actual bill below this. Note the justification stated for the bill is that by classifying the dove, the DEC would be entitled to federal funds. Dont argue this, because the dove has no classification - if it was classified as a songbird, the dec could still recieve federal funds, but would have no authority to set a hunting season. We want it classified as a gamebird.
  22. mike rossi
    Can you get one going? Are there any sport shows in your area? If you got a Gander Mountain near you it generally is their policy to let you set up. I just posted a form letter on the other thread or just write your own letter. I think its past the petition stage; its an introduced bill. Being considered by the en-con committee- the senators on that committee are all who is looking at it right now. They should all be contacted; and the senate rep that represents your district, in other words, represents you!. Passing out / e mailing / posting form letters probably where we are at, not petitions. I dont know anything about petitions, maybe? Just do something, dont wait for the other guy. These committees kill bills real quick, then they never get voted on.
  23. mike rossi
    OK, here is a form letter. Include your name and address. If you dont know who your state senate representative is, go to the US Sportsmans Alliance website and look it up. Lets get it passed, this is our chance.... Dont wait for the other guy.... As this evolves there probably will be other form letters. Get copies of this to your hunting buddies. RE: Senate Bill 6968 Dear Senator __________________________________________________; I am writing to ask you to support Senate Bill 6968. In order for wildlife professionals, such as the DEC wildlife biologists; to properly manage a species; that species must be classified correctly. Mourning Doves are currently categorized with other species that do not share the attributes that ornithologists and wildlife biologists believe makes them similar. Such a misclassification lends to suboptimal management. Mourning Doves, like other migratory species, have been intensely studied and monitored by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for decades. The USFWS classifies the Mourning Dove as a game bird. Migratory birds are primarily managed by the USFWS (there are international treaties with Canada and Mexico) in co-management with the individual states. The difference in classification is a hindrance to co-management. Sincerely, _____________________________________________________________________________________
  24. mike rossi
    Please go to topic in the legislative forum. We need every registered user to be informed and supportive of this bill!!! This has been ungoing for years - lets get it done!
  25. mike rossi
    OK, we got a NY Dove Bill! Lets get it passed!!! Information provided by USSA. New York Bill Would Pave Way for Dove Hunting Season Posted on May 2, 2012 Senate Bill 6968, sponsored by Senator John A. DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse), would classify mourning doves as “migratory game birds,” allowing New York wildlife officials to set a dove hunting season. While mourning doves are considered migratory by the federal government, they are not classified as such by the state of New York. Thus, the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has been unable to establish a dove hunting season. “Doves are one of the post popular game birds in the U.S and there is no reason to continue to prohibit dove hunting in New York,” said Jeremy Rine, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance in-house counsel and associate director of state services. “For too long, the politics of the anti-hunting lobby, and not sound science, have prevented a dove season in New York. It’s time that New York sportsmen are afforded the same opportunity as sportsmen in other states. New York sportsmen must reach out to their elected officials today to support SB 6968.” The DEC’s website states that “[t]here is no biological reason why doves could not be hunted in New York” and that dove numbers in the state have significantly increased over the past 40 years. New York is one of only nine states that prohibit dove hunting. Just last year, Iowa opened up a dove hunting season after years of fighting anti-hunting influences. Senate Bill 6968 is currently pending before New York’s Senate Environmental Conservation Committee. Take Action! New York sportsmen should contact their state senators and ask them to support Senate Bill 6968. Visit USSA’s Legislative Action Center for your state senator’s contact information.
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