Wisconsin Dove Hunting Poll

84% of respondents ‘favor’ deer hunting in Wisconsin, 10% ‘oppose’ it.

29% ‘favor’ allowing the hunting of mourning doves and 46% ‘oppose’ it.   Knowing that ‘mourning doves are gentle backyard song birds, that are hunted almost solely for target practice,’ 42% are ‘much more supportive’ of the hunting ban and 17% are ‘somewhat more supportive’ of it.

Knowing that ‘farmers generally like doves because they are ground-feeding birds that do not eat crops. They often eat weed seeds, acting as a natural herbicide,’ 41% are ‘much more supportive’ of the ban and 26% are ‘somewhat more supportive’ of the ban. Knowing that ‘since there is very little meat, doves are usually shot and left to die by hunters,’ 44% are ‘much more supportive’ of the ban and 20% are ‘somewhat more supportive’ of it.

After knowing all of the above facts, 24% ‘favor’ allowing the hunting of mourning doves and 64% ‘oppose’ it.

Of all demographics, deer hunting was supported least by women (75.8%), democrats (76%), college graduates (76.5%), and those without hunters in the household (76.9%).  It was supported most by those with hunters in the household (96.3%), men (93.7%), and residents of Eau Claire/Northwest Wisconsin (92.9%).

Of all demographics, allowing mourning dove hunting was opposed the most by high school graduates (56.3%), women (56.1%), residents of Eau Claire/Northwest Wisconsin (54.3%), and those 60 or older (53.8%).  More of every demographic opposed than supported allowing the hunting of mourning doves.

After knowing all of the above facts, the demographics most opposed to allowing the hunting of mourning doves were high school graduates (73.2%) and women (72.2%). After knowing all of the above facts, 27% of those who previously favored it became opposed to it, 44.8% of those who were previously undecided became opposed to it and 10.5% of those who were previously undecided became in favor of it.