Nugent on doves May 2013

[mike rossi]

Nugent on dove legislation May 2013

 

http://www.mlive.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2013/05/wolf_hunt_accomplished_ted_nug.html

 

Wolf hunt accomplished, Ted Nugent says Michigan should turn to dove season next

 

Michigan rocker Ted Nugent talks dove hunting Michigan rocker Ted Nugent talks dove hunting.

 

By Cory Olsen | [email protected] MLive.com
on May 15, 2013 at 3:45 PM, updated May 15, 2013 at 4:23 PM

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — You don't have to wait long to hear an opinion about wildlife management when talking to Michigan native rocker Ted Nugent.

When asked recently about the newly approved wolf hunt, Nugent suggested the state take things one step further: A dove season.

"We can hunt pheasants in Michigan, we can hunt quail in Michigan," Nugent said. "Grouse? Huntable. Woodcock? Huntable. There are more doves in Michigan than all those birds combined. The dove is the No. 1 game species, not just the No. 1 game bird on the planet, it's the No. 1 game species. The mourning dove generates more family hours of recreation than any species including bluegills."

Doves were banned from hunting in 2006. The reason for Michiganders not being able to hunt them? Look to the history of the state's leadership, Nugent said.

"This is insanity," Nugent said. "This is a holdover of the days of (former Detroit mayors) Kwame (Kilpatrick) and Coleman Young and (former governor) Jennifer Granholm that wouldn't know a mourning dove from a pterodactyl."

A recently added piece of legislature, Bill 288, that Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law on May 8, will now put the power of designating game species as well as hunting seasons for those species in the hands of the Natural Resources Commission.

That should help clear up any red tape holding back a dove hunt, Nugent said.

"I'm pleased that scientifically educated professionals will now have the authority to make sure that the universally respected and utilized game species on the planet, that Michigan produces more of than Indiana or Ohio or Illinois, where you can hunt them, that we will legalize dove hunting."

Outspoken about all things wildlife, Nugent said the revenue generated via people using hotels, grocery stores, restaurants and equipment could be huge for Michigan.

"It's about damn time," he said.