AR Game and Fish panel sets Sunday opening for dove hunting season

By Joe Mosby

Arkansas News Correspondent

The state Game and Fish Commission decided Thursday on a Sunday opening for this year’s dove hunting season.

The opening had sparked some debate among dove hunters. Most seasons traditionally open on Saturday. With Sept. 1 falling on a Sunday, the commission’s decision was between opening on a Sunday with the Labor Day holiday following the next day or waiting until Saturday. Sept. 7.

Federal regulations do not permit dove hunting to begin earlier that Sept. 1. The state wildlife agency kept tally on hunters’ opinions, and 57 percent favored the Sept. 1 opening and 43 percent preferred a Sept. 7 opening. Others were undecided.

Dates for duck and goose hunting, except for the early Canada goose hunts, will be set at the commission’s August meeting.

The early migratory bird seasons set Thursday:

—Mourning Dove and Eurasian Collared Dove, Sept. 1-Oct. 20 and Dec. 21-Jan. 9.

AR Game and Fish website