Bird of Peace



photo courtesy of National Park Service

 For a couple of months each fall it is legal to kill the Wisconsin official peace symbol.

Zenaida macroura - the mourning dove.

I think the bag limit is fifteen doves per day with a possession limit of thirty birds.

I've never gotten anywhere close to that as they're not the easiest thing to hunt.  But if you're looking for a good way to while-away a late afternoon there's nothing better than taking the dog for a long circuitous walk and flushing some doves from their loitering areas.  The big pond is a particularly good spot.


With an estimated population in excess of 130 million - mourning doves are one of the most populous of game birds found in North America.


They taste pretty darn good too.


Last year at deer camp we marinated a bunch of dove breasts in a Szechuan sauce and skewered them with water chestnuts and bacon.


Put them on the grill, turn once.  Yum!