Mourning doves mate for life. In some areas their population is declining. They do NOT eat crops...they are ground seed feeders. They build shitty nests and aren't very bright when it comes to self-defense (hence the one taken out mid flight by the hawk...hawks appear to favor the dove meat also). But, they are harmless and do NOT hurt the environment.

I've been coyote hunting, I've ignored the deer hunting, I tolerate (root for the fish) fishing as long as I have a book. I draw the line at dove hunting and all who live in my neck of the woods know it. The dudes next door respect that. I'm completely serious COINS...NO ONE in my area is allowed to hunt the doves in my hood.