By By DAN WEISS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- Hunting enthusiasts in the state of Michigan were excited Tuesday by the passing of House Bill 5029 by the Michigan House of Representatives.
The bill calls for the declaration of the first open hunting season on mourning doves in Michigan.
The House of Representatives voted 64 to 44 in favor of the bill which now goes before the Michigan Senate for consideration.
Rep. Neal Nitz, R-Baroda, was one that voted in favor of the bill. Nitz said he felt there was no reason not to pass the bill.
Currently 39 other states have a dove hunting season, but Senator Ron Jelinek, R-Three Oaks, still plans on voting against the so-called Dove Bill.
Jelinek also referred to the mourning dove's status as a songbird which many people enjoy feeding near their homes.
Aside from the assumed ability of the dove to maintain significant numbers with a hunting season, Nitz believes an open season on doves would bring more money into the state.