If only we come out

Last night I attended the annual meeting with the DNR where we as hunters vote on recomendations for changes to the hunting and fishing regulations in the state of Wisconsin. One of the topics on this year's ballot was opening a Morning Dove season. Wisconsin had not had a Dove season in a long time. As well, there were threats of bussing in anit hunters to these meetings.

The hunting public's response amazed me and the local DNR. At the Sheboygan County meeting we had 843 people in attendance where as the previous high for attendance was 145. The Dove Season passed with a vote of approximately 750 to 90.

The leasson here is that when we are active politically we can make a difference. We can not sit on our hands.

The Conservation congress meeting in Madison, WI was a sight to behold. Over 3000 people packed the Dane Cty expo Center meeting. The voting was done by secret ballot so I don't know the exact numbers but I suspect the turnout was 3 to 1, hunters vs. anti's. Besides the Dove vote much of the hunter turnout could be attributed to attempting to overturn the problem that happened at the last meeting. Patricia Randolf, a local ANTI hunting advocate pulled a grass roots 'turn out and support me' campaign that got her voted in. It was NOt to happen again, the hunters came out in droves to give her and two other candidates NO chance to repeat... Hip hip hurray for the hunters that got off the couch to take back our rightful arena for determining and debating hunting and game conservation policies. Thanks you all that showed up to support our cause. regards, Paul Schnettler

I cut my teeth on dove hunting. We'd sit against a rock out on an island where they'd come in to get water and grit in the evening, with their usual swoopy flight. I also used to hunt valley quail in the manzanita patches, one quick shot at the buzzing little bastards before the went over or around the next manzanita bush. Both types of shooting were done with modified and full choke guns, it was all I had available then, after all, this was all just warm up for duck season. I won't forget the first time I went pheasant hunting, the things just took off in a strait line across an open field. I even had time to wait until they got far enough away to let the choke open up, and unlike ducks, they died pretty easily. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but it didn't give me the same rush as a flock of doves coming in swirling around like a swarm of bees.

What do doves taste like? I'm a white meat eater, so only planning on going for pheasant or grouse or quail, should I start hunting this year (got the license this morning, just in case I do start.). I don't care for duck or goose taste, even the much milder tame vanities. While shooting doves, or trying to, sounds like a fun challenge, I'd want to be able to enjoy eating them, too, or there'd be no point.

Doves taste like chicken. What else ? Plan on using the breast meat only. There's not enough meat on legs etc. to bother with. Wrap each breast in thin sliced bacon, cook in HOT oven until meat is firm but not dry. Allow about half-dozen for each diner.

Doves are great targets because of their eratic flight and they are *fast*. A dove in a hurry can hit 60mph. They can be walked up during the day, but the best, fastest shooting will be late afternoon near a stock tank or water hole where they come to water before going to roost. Bill Van Houten (USA Ret) 'No matter how hard you try, you can't throw a potato chip very far.'

Dove are very dark meat. Any bird that does a lot of flying will be dark meat. The taste is closer to liver than quail meat. I don't eat liver but I LOVE doves. The best way to cook them is on the grill covered with bacon. Maranating them in Italian dressing is optional.

I will second the bacon wrap over a grill or in the oven. You may also wedge a small piece of jalapeno in the breast before wrapping in bacon.

At my level of wingshooting they are usually appertizers before the steak that goes on the grill next.

While shooting doves, or trying to, sounds like a fun

Lots of responses. Thanks for the help. I'll give it a try, should I get to hunting this year. And be able to find any doves in MN.

JALAPENO ! EEEEEHAAAAAAA.. The only thing that doesn't improve with jalapeno is lemon pie. Bill Van Houten (USA Ret) 'No matter how hard you try, you can't throw a potato chip very far.'

Would a shot of tequila go well with your lemon pie?

Pat Garland TX

*** 'The right of citizens to bear arms is just one guarantee against arbitrary government, one more safeguard against the tyranny which now appears remote in America, but which historically has proved to be always possible.'

Dove hunting is illegal in MN. We've been trying to get it legal for a few years now to no avail.