DES MOINES
Dove lovers can stop mourning for mourning doves for another year.
Gov. Tom Vilsack Tuesday night clipped the wings of dove hunters, saying he'll veto a controversial bill allowing dove hunting in Iowa.
"The majority of Iowans do not support changing the current law to legalize dove hunting," Vilsack said in a written statement. "My office received contact from thousands of concerned Iowans regarding this issue, and my conclusion is that this policy is not right for our state at this time."
The bill authorized the Iowa Natural Resources Commission to set a dove-hunting season. Hunters and dove lovers intensely lobbied for and against this bill. Legislators were inundated with phone calls, e-mails and letters from both sides. The bill passed the House and the Senate after emotional debates and was awaiting Vilsack's approval.
"Unfortunately, since the beginning of the 2001 legislative session, the Iowa Legislature has expended a great deal of time and effort on this issue," Vilsack said. "This issue has now been decided and I urge all members of the Legislature to now turn their attention to the important issues."
Eight-year-old Paige Neil from La Porte City was elated when she heard the news.
"I am happy that there won't be any dove hunting because they are beautiful birds and their music is beautiful," Neil said. "I wrote a letter to Gov. Vilsack telling him how my family loved doves and how we like to watch them and feed them."
Paige's grandmother, Vi Paige, also lobbied for the little birds.
"I am really glad that the doves are safe for at least another year," she said. "Why can't they shoot crows instead? Maybe they will get more happiness out of that."
Sportsmen were upset with the governor's decision.
"I am really disappointed," said Dean Payne of Evansdale. Payne said because of restrictions in the state, he went to Kansas to shoot quail and doves.
"I think the governor's action was very political and it has nothing to do with hunting doves," Payne said. "He did the politically correct thing by vetoing the bill."
GOP leaders expressed surprise at Vilsack's decision, which came before the bill arrived at his office.
"I don't know how the governor could veto the bill even before he gets the bill," said Rep. Richard Wiedman, R-Griswold, lead supporter of the measure. "It's a tremendous shame to the state."
Wiedman said there is a possibility the bill might come back in another form soon.
"It was just a way for him to bow to certain group of people," Wiedman said. "It will come back again."
"The governor's veto reflected the view of Iowans," said Rep. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo. "It's time we stopped talking about doves and start attending to other serious issues."
"It's too bad that Iowa hunters will still have to continue to go over state lines to hunt doves," said Rep. Bob Brunkhorst, R-Waverly "It's something that I thought Iowa is ready for, but the governor is not. So I guess we will move forward."
House Majority Leader Christopher Rants proclaimed the bill dead until Iowa gets a new governor.
"I voted for it, but life goes on for now, particularly if you are a dove," Rants said.
