BANGOR DAILY NEWS • October 27, 2026
I have never hunted doves, but I would like to. I’ve often wondered if my wingshooting abilities are still good enough to match their speed. I would like to find out, but I can’t because Maine is one of just nine states that ban dove hunting or do not list doves as a legal migratory game bird. Up to 350,000 resident and nonresident hunters pursue doves in Texas each year. Like Sunday hunting, bear baiting and some other topics, dove hunting would no doubt prove controversial and spark a firestorm of protests from anti-hunting groups and birdwatchers in Maine. ~ Al Raychard