Yesterday morning, about 9AM, I decided to take a ride by The SR225 Bridge Area at Berlin Lake. The water level was about where it was or lower, than it had been when we had the excellent shorebirding a while back. Good numbers of birds, Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Double-crested Cormorants, Canada Geese, Killdeer, Ring-billed Gulls, and some Herring Gulls were found from south of Price Street to The German Church Road Boat Ramp, but nothing remarkable. Arriving at the boat ramp to sit and have a coffee, I see an older couple with a dog down by the waters edge. Shockingly, I see the woman walk up on the end of the dock, reach into a bag she was carrying, and throw what looked like a pigeon out into the water, with the man shooting what I would guess was a starter's gun at the same time. With the pop, off goes the dog into the water, after what was a Rock Dove (pigeon). The pigeon had obviously had its wings clipped, flapping hopelessly on the surface of the water, trying to get away. Inevitably, the dog got the bird and obediently brought it back to the couple, appearing to be lifeless. By now the couple realized I was watching, got in their pickup truck, and left. On my way home, curiosity of whether this was legal or not, over took me. I went by The Ohio Division Of Wildlife office for The Berlin Lake Wildlife Area on Bonner Road, and had to find out. I guess not surprisingly, what I was told was, that this is a legal way of dog training! Pigeons yes, Mourning Doves no! So if you ever encounter this situation, I suggest you don't watch!


Bob Lane / Mahoning County

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