Band-recovery rates will be altered, probably slightly, 
when al] recoveries from bandings used in this analysis are 
received. In general, banding in the Western and Central units 
was concentrated later in the time period of reference (1953-57) 
than was banding in the Eastern unit. Therefore, a greater 
number of additional recoveries, unavailable for this analysis, 
should be expected from the Western and Central units. The 
result for these two units will be a higher band-recovery rate, 
a higher percentage of the total hunting kill, and a larger con- 
tribution of production to the hunting kill. Such discrepancy in 
time of banding and opportunity for band recoveries could be 
overcome by using only first-hunting-season recoveries. At 
present, however, inadequate numbers of band recoveries in 
many States limit the value of restricting the analysis to first- 
hunting-season recoveries. 
Continuing analysis of banding records, with emphasis 
on mortality studies, perhaps will shed more light on the question 
of the importance of hunting as a factor in mortality of mourning 
doves. A national survey of dove hunting kill is a critical need 
in dove management. 
RESEARCH NEEDS 
To make a banding analysis of this type more meaningful, 
we need (1) studies to evaluate and improve the breeding-population 
census and to determine productivity rates; (2) more representative 
banding in problem areas, particularly in border States of manage- 
ment units; and (3) an evaluation of the uniformity and rate of 
reporting bands. When these needs have been fulfilled, the organiza- 
tion of management units will be on a firmer foundation. 
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