[obol] Band-tailed Pigeons

[Norgren Family]

     I recall a presentation made on this
species at the Audubon Society of Corvallis
by Bob Jarvis in the early seventies. This
information had been gathered under funding
from the ODF&W, perhaps resulting from some
federal mandate. Band-tails are obviously
migratory, but when laws protecting waterfowl
were enacted in the early 20th century this
species was left out. It is probably no surprise
that Jarvis' findings went ignored despite
their major implications.
      The most salient point is that pigeons
make milk, chemically very similar to mammalian
milk. This requires large amounts of calcium,
a mineral rare in the Pacific NW. To get enough
calcium the Band-tails must visit mineral springs.
There are some three dozen of these in Oregon,
almost all on private land. I believe there
may be one between Pigeon Butte and Maple Knoll
at WLF NWR. The shooting rights at these springs
are leased to the obvious profit of the landlord.
I leave it to the reader to surmise the socio-economic
status of the shooters.
     The pigeons are visiting the springs because
they have young on the nest. They are desperate
for the minerals. Even though they know the danger
they will return again and again. Having a hunting
season in the middle of a species' nesting season
is obviously crazy, but any changes would conflict
with entrenched interests. As I said, three dozen
springs. Do the math. A tiny fraction of Oregon's
licensed hunters are involved. ODF&W recognized
that the population was declining over 30 years
ago. The primary response was to lower the bag
limit from 8 to 4. Making a later season would
effectively end everything as the birds are largely
gone by Oct 1(the traditional end of the legal season).
Banning shooting at mineral springs seems a no
brainer, but it's amazing how much pull minor
special interest groups can hold.   Lars Norgren
Manning Oregon