Mourning Doves Have Quite a Lot to Mourn

Between 20 and 70 million Mourning Doves a year are shot in the U.S. — most as target practice prior to duck and geese season. 

The species survives this level of hunting — as well as predation by hawks, falcons, cats, snakes. possums, crows, squirrels, and raccoons — by breeding up to six 2-chick broods a year.