"'ECs,' as we call them, are normally an urban bird and don't stray far from town," Peoples said. But these exotic doves are also affecting the state's mourning dove population, albeit in a roundabout way. How? Simple -- look up into the trees and you'll see.
"I live in a little town up northwest of the Oklahoma City area," Peoples said. "I have mulberry trees in my yard, and for several years we had mourning doves nesting there. But the last couple of years, the ECs have moved in. They are very aggressive, and have chased the mourning doves away. Now they are nesting in those mulberry trees."
What can a hunter do to help control Eurasian collared doves? Just shoot them when you get a chance in the field, add them to your bag limit -- and then roast 'em on the barbecue grill!
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