I'm now having a dialog with a certain OK game warden via email: dove death by Gamo
I'm now having a dialog with a certain OK game warden via email: dove death by Gamo (Beeman, Daisy, Crosman, Benjamin, etc.) controversy to share with you here as follows:
ME:
Questions about Eurasian Collared Doves in Oklahoma
1. Is this a PROTECTED species in Oklahoma? Many jurisdictions around the world, including many in North America, consider this bird a pest or invasive species.
2. Local weapons ordinances notwithstanding, are BB guns, pellet guns and/or air rifles prohibited as a lawful means for taking Eurasian Collared Doves in Oklahoma?
3. Do I need a valid hunting license or anything else to lawfully take Eurasian Collared Doves in Oklahoma?
4. Are there specific seasons for taking Eurasian Collared Doves in Oklahoma or may they be taken year round on public and/or private property?
5. Are there any limits for taking or possessing Eurasian Collared Doves?
OK GAME WARDEN:
Hello Mr. Jones,- In Oklahoma Eurasian Collared Dove are protected.
- None of the guns you listed are a legal means of taking dove during dove season, so no you could not use them.
- Yes, you would need a hunting license.
- There is a season on them.
- There is no daily limit within the legal season dates as long as a head or fully feathered wing remains attached until you reach your final destination.
The dates and daily limits as found in the Oklahoma hunting regulations are copied below. Hope this answers all of your questions. Have a great day!
Dove (Mourning, White-Winged
& Eurasian Collared)
Dates
Sept. 1 - Oct. 31 and Dec. 1-29; statewide.
Daily Limit
15. The limit may consist of any combination (aggregate) of mourning, white-winged and fully dressed Eurasian collared doves (those without a head or fully feathered wing naturally attached to the carcass).
However, there is no bag limit on Eurasian collared doves provided that the head or one fully feathered wing remains naturally attached to the carcass of all such birds while being transported to their final destination.
ME AGAIN:
Hello, Marni:
Thanks for your reply.
I was wondering what the biological or conservation reasoning is behind protecting the Eurasian Collared Dove in this state since this is purported to be an invasive species in America and abroad by various sources. This particular bird seems to be menacing to farmers especially. As far as I know, this bird has no US federal protections.
Also, what is the wildlife conservation reasoning behind the prohibition on air guns for taking dove of any species? Does federal law currently prohibit the taking of any dove species in the US by air gun? I'm an advocate for legalizing air guns' ethical use in hunting. Air guns, after all, do offer a significant public safety and noise-emissions-reduction advantage over firearms including shotguns. More hunters can routinely hit a small target accurately and humanly with a single-projectile weapon like an accurately-aimed powder rifle or an air gun and especially do so with a scope sight. It's significantly harder in marksmanship skills to humanely take a bird on the wing with a shotgun. Therefore, many shotgun-shot wounded birds, I believe, are unrecovered by shotgun hunters each and every fowl season to be wasted. I see the air gun upland-bird possibility to be a boon to wildlife conservation and ethical/safe hunting. Farmers, ranchers and rural landowners tend to appreciate air guns for hunting on their respective properties more due to enhanced safety and reduced noise. Noise from firearms otherwise spooks their animals.
I'm hoping game law legislators in Oklahoma will start to see the light real soon regarding the sensibility of the whole notion of ethical air gun hunting. This is a fast-becoming a popular sport worldwide and nationwide. Air gun hunting legalizing is getting to be in high demand these days. It's a long time coming to think outside the box [of shotgun shells] and give air guns their deserved day in the field to offer ethical fowl hunting a whole new breath of fresh [and compressed] smoke-free air.
Sincerely,
Mr. Along C. Jones V
Last edited by AlongCameJones; 10-29-2021 at 04:24 PM.