News

Caucus Threat to MI Doves

A new caucus has recently been formed to assist dove shooting proponents at the Capitol in Lansing. Rep Tabor (R-71), in an effort to create an obligate voting block (to push a future dove hunting legislation), is focusing legislative time and effort for the next two years to "ram-rod" (a term used by sportswriters to describe the effort) the recently formed Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus.

Tabor, who is infamously known for continued attempts to legalize dove hunting in Michigan, specifically indicated a similar caucus might have helped her in past failed dove bill attempts and the caucus (voting block) she has put together "will get it passed."

Significant efforts noted as caucus priorities, include rigorous lobbying by dove shooting activists to "recruit" lawmakers into the "sporting fraternity" and to extend "hands-on opportunities" [trips] for lawmakers. Additionally, the individuals noted as setting up the foundation to fund the caucus are notably those who aggressively push the dove bill in Michigan.

The caucus has already come under fire by sportsmen who have voiced concerns about who will "control" the educational agenda. Many traditional hunters argue that Tabor and her "friends" are NOT representative of Michigan hunters and they are concerned about the direction the caucus may take as a "sportsmen's voice." Tabor, who has even clashed with the Natural Resource Commission in pursuit of fringe element proposals, is well known and criticized by the hunting community for taking radical, unpopular, mis-leading, and irresponsible stands on issues that concern both their sport and their image.

Dove hunting is overwhelmingly opposed by the majority of Michigan citizens, including the majority of Michigan hunters. Unfortunately, the "dove issue" has become a legislative tantrum for the proponents of dove hunting, who's main priority now appears to be -- override the people's clear voice to lawmakers.

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