It sounds so easy. Ballot Issue One is a simple yes or no question: Should Ohio ban dove hunting? But behind the scene, Issue One is complex and overloaded with more underlying questions than the number of buckeye stickers on Andy Katzenmoyer’s helmet.The proposed law would amend sections 1531.01 and 1531.02 of the Ohio Revised Code to prohibit the hunting or capturing of mourning doves. It will do so by removing the words “mourning doves” from the definition of “game birds,” not establishing a hunting season and by adding the words “no person shall hunt or take a mourning dove.” A majority “yes” vote is needed for passage and if adopted, the law would take effect Dec. 3. Issue One’s backers include the Fund for Animals in New York, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, based in Virginia.Michael Markarian, campaign director of the Fund for Animals, said his organization has supported the campaign mainly financially.”It’s just inappropriate to shoot the birds,” Markarian said. “You don’t see people shooting other birds like blue jays or robins.” Markarian said he felt Ohioans did not listen to when the law allowing the hunting of mourning doves four years ago. Mourning dove hunting had been illegal since 1976 until legislation was passed in the general assembly and signed into law by Gov. George Voinovich. “There was a strong tradition of protecting these gentle backyard birds for 80 years,” Voinovich said. “There is just no reason to hunt them because of Great Lakes tradition.” Rick Story, vice president of the Wildlife Legislative Fund, said Issue One’s supporters are extremists who want people to think they are only after outlawing dove hunting. But Story said this is just the first step in a master plan which includes attacking the use of animals for farming, research, circuses and zoos.Markarian disagrees.”It’s only about the doves,” he said.Story said he feels the law passed four years ago was definitely the correct decision. “The extremists are against the use of animals for almost anything,” he said.He also said Issue One’s supporters’ agenda is very broad, from eliminating experimental tests on animals to eating meat.”This is just the first step,” he said. “They are trying to peel the onion one pedal at a time.”Dr. Robert Gates, assistant professor in the School of Natural Resources and a specialist in migratory birds, said reports of using the bird for target practice by hunters are false.He said it is an emotional issue on both sides.”Sometimes people are just too extreme in issues relating to using animals,” Gates said.Gary Ludwig, associate wildlife management supervisor for the Division of Wildlife District One office, said the dove population in Ohio is between three million and five million. He said the life expectancy of the bird is about 2 years. “Hunting takes up a maximum of 2 percent of the population,” Ludwig said. “The surplus of birds is intended for use by humans.”