Back out after 1 1/2 years

[ghostfive]

I posted a longer story in small game but had to share some of it here. After a year and a half of not being able to do anything I loaded my favorite FX air rifle and headed to my favorite permission. When I got there pigeons, collared doves and groundhogs were everywhere. In less than 5 minutes I already had 2 pigeons, a collared dove and a groundhog down.

I was shooting my FX Maverick Compact in .22 using Zan 28.5 gr slugs at 872 fps. Longest shot 70 yards on the groundhog quartering to, perfect shot right in front of the left leg. Most other shots were 50 and 55 yards.

 

[mike243]

So is collard dove season open? have only seen it listed same time as regular dove

 

[jetwrnch]

From what I know, the collard dove is invasive and not regulated. That air gun hunting looks like a lot of fun.

 

[mike243]

Wildlife Damage Control in Tennessee

All animals need food, water, and shelter to survive. Loss of habitat, due to urban growth, increases the chance for wild animal/human interactions. Many animals move and find suitable habitats away from these areas. Raccoons, opossums, coyotes, foxes, and skunks thrive in the urban environment.

www.tn.gov

 

[mike243]

Nonprotected Wildlife and Species Deemed Destructive

The following species are not protected by law because they are non-native invasive populations with potential to damage property, pose a human health risk, and have detrimental effects on native wildlife.

1. House (English) Sparrow
2. European Starling
3. Rock Pigeon
4. Nutria

 

[Omega]

They don't specifically list it as invasive though the text certainly seems to make it so, but they do list it as non federally protected.
Tennessee Backyard Animal Basics

Backyard Non-Native Wildlife
Non-Native Birds
The following list of birds is NOT protected by federal laws, however, there are laws about the transport of captive-raised game birds. Contact TWRA or USFWS for details on the transport of captive-raised game birds.
The following is a list of non-native, invasive, and domestic birds not federally protected by Migratory Bird Treat Act laws and found in Tennessee:

• House Sparrow
• European Starling
• Rock Pigeon
• Eurasian Collared-Dove
• Muscovy Duck
• Chinese Goose
• Mute Swan
• Ring-necked Pheasant, Chukar, and other non-native game birds were released for hunting purposes.

 

[ghostfive]

So is collard dove season open? have only seen it listed same time as regular dove

After 2 years of talking with TWRA they finally agreed with the Federal Migratory bird folks, but only after I spoke with the regional director.

Collared doves are an invasive species and they do list them in the dove season. The reason being, most people don't know how to identify them from mourning doves.

The TWRA conclusion was, you can legally take them any time but if you mistakenly shoot a mourning dove you are breaking the law. The regional director from the Federal agency confirmed this with me personally when she called me while I was picking up a pizza. I now carry a copy of the Federal law on what species can be taken and when without the need for a deprivation permit.

Included are blackbirds, Redwing blackbirds, starlings, English sparrows, collared doves, pigeons, European geese, muskovy ducks, cowbirds and I'm sure I left out a couple. Hope this helps clear it up.

 

[mike243]

I have always read if there is not a proclamation or a season then you can't shoot it, maybe SCN will wander through , we have very few collard doves around here but only 2 eggs a year they may never get a foot hold

 

[ghostfive]

I have always read if there is not a proclamation or a season then you can't shoot it, maybe SCN will wander through , we have very few collard doves around here but only 2 eggs a year they may never get a foot hold

 

[ghostfive]

Sent to me from, again, the Federal regional director for Migratory birds. I changed phones or I could show you the entire conversation with TWRA.

 

[ghostfive]

I have always read if there is not a proclamation or a season then you can't shoot it, maybe SCN will wander through , we have very few collard doves around here but only 2 eggs a year they may never get a foot hold

 

[ghostfive]

They don't specifically list it as invasive though the text certainly seems to make it so, but they do list it as non federally protected.
Tennessee Backyard Animal Basics

If you scroll down you can see the final reply from TWRA. I spent 2 years as the only advocate to get this clarification.

 

[ghostfive]

They don't specifically list it as invasive though the text certainly seems to make it so, but they do list it as non federally protected.
Tennessee Backyard Animal Basics

I posted my last conversation with TWRA. I spent 2 years as the only person trying to get this clarification. I posted the Federal law sent to me by the regional director.

 

[ghostfive]

From what I know, the collard dove is invasive and not regulated. That air gun hunting looks like a lot of fun.

Air gun hunting is so much fun and opens a lot of places to you a powder burner wouldn't be allowed or safe. The guns we use aren't the junk from Walmart or Basspro, the FX Maverick Compact I use most of the time was over $2400 rigged out. It's a .22 but can be changed to several calibers and if I change to a longer barrel it's good to 250 yards in .22.

 

[jetwrnch]

Great info. Thanks for the hard work.

 

[ghostfive]

Great info. Thanks for the hard work.

You're welcome. I'm beginning to feel like everyone is trying to prove I'm breaking the law when I spent all that time trying to expand everyone's opportunities.

 

[Omega]

I posted my last conversation with TWRA. I spent 2 years as the only person trying to get this clarification. I posted the Federal law sent to me by the regional director.

Yup, seen it, though I was already aware of it.

 

[redblood]

Great shooting

 

[mike243]

No trying to keep you out of trouble not give you trouble, big difference, I do see they stated while you are on your property which might get turned sideways with somebody . you stated you were hunting somebody else's property correct?