2016 Opening Day Dove Video - Arkansas Wildlife TV

The debut episode of Arkansas Wildlife TV takes viewers on an opening-day Arkansas dove hunt, explores the benefits of prescribed fire in managing and creating wildlife habitat, and then shows viewers a tasty take on mourning doves.

Georgia 2016 More dove hunting dates coming

Dove hunters have more opportunities to take to the field in October and November, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.

Dove fields will be available Oct. 8-28 and again Nov. 24-Jan. 13.

“Dove hunters ready to harvest more birds can look forward to these later season dates,” said Tina Johannsen, program operations manager with WRD Game Management. “While predicting the pattern of migratory birds can be difficult, the fields look good and the dry weather has kept seed in good condition on the ground. If they are able, we encourage hunters to scout two or three fields during the week for birds, then hunt there on Saturday.”

Georgia has approximately 40 state public dove fields, plus opportunities on private land available to the public through a U.S. Department of Agriculture program called the Voluntary Public Access (VPA)/Habitat Incentive Program. Be sure to check out available dates of the dove field you plan to hunt before visiting.

Regulations quick review: The daily bag limit is 15 doves per hunter. Collared doves may be taken, but do not affect the count of your daily limit.  Any autoloading or other repeating shotgun must be plugged to hold no more than three shotshells while hunting doves.    

Dove hunters 16 years of age and older must possess a Georgia hunting license and a free Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) Permit.  HIP provides biologists with needed information to ensure conservation of migratory bird populations while providing quality hunting opportunities.  When hunting on a WMA, you also must possess a WMA license.  Hunters may purchase licenses at www.georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes, 1-800-366-2661 or at license vendor locations (list of vendors available online).

Updated and accurate harvest rate estimates facilitate the successful management of doves. In 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Research Division and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in cooperation with several states, including Georgia, initiated an ongoing dove banding project.  

Hunters can participate in this conservation effort by examining harvested doves for leg bands and reporting band numbers to the USFWS at www.reportband.gov or by calling 1-800-327-BAND.

WRD is interested in leasing agricultural crop fields for public dove hunting, and possibly other types of hunting and outdoor recreation.  Private landowners that enroll in the program are eligible for a negotiable lease rate and are provided with a legal agreement giving maximum liability protection. More information available at www.georgiawildlife.com/hunting/resources/VPAHIP.

Planning on dove hunting at a private field? Be sure that field is legal.  How to know? Check out the online brochure, “Dove Hunting and Agricultural Practices in Georgia,” available at www.georgiawildlife.com/hunting/dovebrochure.

For more information, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/hunting/regulations.

Texas Public Land Dove Hunting - James Daughtrey

I had a great morning hunting doves at James Daughtrey. I shot 10, which is the most I've done on public land, including one double, before 8:30. I was there Saturday morning too but only shot two. I almost didn't make the drive this morning because the forecast called for a chance of thunderstorms, and all the way down I could see lightning in the distance, but it ended up being a pleasant, breezy morning.

I have no intention of disclosing which compartment I was in, and I definitely have no intention of disclosing how many shells it took to hit 10 doves.

See the full post with pics

Arkansas Dove Hunting Video

While many Arkansans mark the beginning of fall with the autumnal equinox, the state’s hunters place the start of fall at 30 minutes before sunrise on the first Saturday in September.

TX Opening Day Dove Season 2016 Video

 
From one of the Nooner Ranch's legendary dove hunting fields we join Americana Outdoors Staff members Clark Wendlandt and Wade Middleton who are hunting with their wives Patti and Angel for opening day. This is the unedited live version seen that morning.

Dove Hunting Tips and Tricks Video

It's opening day of Dove Season! The Americana Outdoors staff hits the field and shows you some tips and tricks on how to make your next dove hunting trip a success!

DOVE HUNTING TEXAS - September Dove Hunt - Video

Rise-Kill-Eat Outdoors is proud to bring you September Dove. This video is the consolidation of four hunts in South Texas. With access to some of the greatest dove hunting fields north of the Rio Grande we head South to be a part of the annual celebration of the coming migration. We hope you enjoy watching this as much as we enjoyed shooting it. Special thanks to the hunt crew Joe, Matt, Clayton, Seth, Casey, and Chase. Each of these guys contributed in the hunt and camera work and above all else were patient to the process of filming a hunt.

For More Bird Hunting Videos Visit BirdHunterTV.com

North Dakota 2016 dove hunting season getting underway Thursday

North Dakota's dove hunting season opens statewide on Thursday.

The daily limit is 15 and the possession limit is 45. Shooting hours are a half hour before sunrise to sunset.

The state Game and Fish Department is reminding hunters to register with the Harvest Information Program prior to heading out to the field. The program collects hunting activity data to improve game bird management.

Those who registered to hunt the spring light goose or early Canada goose seasons in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, since it's required only once per year.

The dove season runs through Nov. 29.

New daily limit set as 2016 dove hunting season begins in South Carolina

With dove hunting season set to open Labor Day weekend, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is letting hunters know about a new daily bag limit.

According to an SCDNR press release, the daily bag limit for the 2016-2017 season is 12 birds per day.

During the 2015-2016 season, SCDNR saw one of the lowest harvest rates since the department began collecting information in 2003, the release stated. The average number of doves harvested by hunters on public fields was 2.75.

The South Carolina dove season is Sept. 3 through Sept. 5; Sept 6 through Oct. 15; Nov. 12 through Nov. 26; and Dec. 15 through Jan. 15.

Legal hunting hours, with the exception of Sept. 3 through Sept. 5, are from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.

Healing the Heroes Oklahoma Dove Hunt 2016

The “Healing the Heroes” organization, an absolute non-profit 501C3 foundation that believes in the therapeutic healing of wounded veterans has requested PGR assistance. Each year for the past 7 years they have taken a group of wounded veterans on a dove hunt in Northeastern Oklahoma area. This year they have dozens of veterans participating in this hunt. They are hosted for the weekend at absolutely no cost to the veteran. This year their event will be in Claremore on Saturday, September 03, 2016. They have requested the assistance of the PGR in moving these veterans from Owasso to Claremore, OK. PGR will assist in any way that is requested.

DATE: Saturday 03 September 2016

STAGING: 1300
Hampton Inn
9009 N 121st East Ave
Owasso, OK

MANDATORY BRIEFING: 1330
Riders must attend briefing if riding in escort.

KSU: 1400
LEO will be provided by Owasso PD, Rogers County Sheriff, Claremore PD.

WEATHER: Forecast high of 92 and partly cloudy. HYDRATE-HYDRATE-HYDRATE!!!!!!!!!

RCIC:
Randy “Hollywood” Dixon
rdixon54@yahoo.com
918-533-3409

TX Hunters, Abilene charity anticipate start of 2016 dove hunting season

By: Melissa Valdez

Children’s Miracle Network and Hendrick Medical Center are welcoming dove hunting season with an annual fundraiser, the Legend Dove Hunt.

"It's very important because this benefit actually equals out to a quarter of our proceeds for the Henrick Children's Hospital every year,” said Melinda Blay, a coordinator with Children’s Miracle Network.

The Legend Dove Hunt is a two-day event on Sept. 9 and 10. It will consist of group hunts, a Saturday dinner and live auctions. The proceeds help pay for necessary medical equipment, NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) renovations and upgrades.

"We're actually surpassing our sponsorship dollars this year, at least to last year’s numbers,” Blay said. “We're expecting a very large turn-out this year."

Blay also says the group is looking for silent and live auction items for their event dinner.

If you’d like to participate in the Legend Dove Hunt or want to donate auction items, you can contact Blay at mblay@ehendrick.org or call 325-670-6557.

Read the full KTXS article

Californian 2016 Dove hunting opener Thursday, lots of public land opportunities

By Jim Matthews
www.OutdoorNewsService.com

The September 1 dove hunting season is expected to be similar to last season across Southern California. Preliminary reports show that dove production was similar to or above last year’s hatch, and that means bird numbers remain stable or slightly up from last opener.

There has also been far less tropical thunderstorm activity in the southern deserts, with most of the storms not crossing the Colorado River into California. These storms are frequently blamed for running doves out of the region just before the opener each year.
Overall, almost everyone contacted for this report agreed the 2016 dove opener should be equal to or better than the 2015 season.
Hunting are reminded they must use non-lead ammunition (steel shot) for doves on state wildlife areas and ecological reserves, which includes many of the lands listed below.

Here’s the region-by-region summary of the public land hunting areas with hot spots highlighted.

See the hunting areas and the complete VVDailyPress article

Texas Extended Dove Season Brings More Opportunity to Hunt, Bond

By Ed Greenberger

McCULLOCH COUNTY, Texas -- There's big news for dove hunters this season.

“This is the first year in about 80 years that we will actually have a 90-day hunting season on mourning doves and white-wing doves,” said Shaun Oldenburger with Texas Parks and Wildlife. “It's going to be an excellent opportunity this year, allows more flexibility for hunters to get out in the field with season dates in all three zones.”

The extra 20 days will allow families to spend some holiday time in the fields.

“Especially for folks that are really busy with soccer practice or football games and everything that goes on in the fall for kids and families now,” said Oldenburger.

And there are plenty of dove to aim for.

A wet spring and summer means a lot of young birds in the population.

“We're looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of about 10 million white wing doves and 30 million mourning doves,” Oldenburger said.

Read the rest of the TWC News article

Southwest Iowa promoting dove-hunting opportunities 2016

Nishnabotna Wildlife Unit has planted an additional 92 acres of dove sunflower food plots on 4 wildlife management areas (WMA’s) that are open to public hunting in Mills and Fremont Counties this year. The new plots listed from north to south include: St. Mary’s Island with three plots, total 58 acres and 10 miles from Plattsmouth; Haynie Slough, 1 plot, 10 acres and 10 miles from Plattsmouth; Noddleman Island, 1 plot, 11 acres and 10 miles from Plattsmouth; and Auldon Bar, 1 plot, 13 acres and 17 miles from Plattsmouth.

“All the new plots are looking really good and should provide some excellent dove hunting on the season opener on Sept. 1, except for the Noddleman Island plot,” said Matt Dollison, the Nishnabotna Unit Wildlife Biologist. “It was taken over by annual sunflowers, so that plot probably won’t mature until after the opener. We will mow the Noddleman Island plot a little later than the others, so it will probably be a good spot for folks that can’t get out during the first part of the season.”

Hunters can check the Hunting Atlas on the Iowa DNR’s website to find these WMA’s and all the other public hunting areas in the state. They can access the DNR Hunting Atlas at: http://programs.iowadnr.gov/maps/huntingatlas/default.html.

Read the rest of the FremontTribune Article

Missouri Dove hunting season opens Sept. 1; a good number expected this year

By Ken White

Since Sept. 1 comes on a Thursday this year, the large population of doves within the state won’t have much time to dodge hunters before the big Labor Day weekend. Which will be fine with many hunters like George Cooper, a retiree who has spent many opening days through the years working.

“This year,“ Cooper said, “I will be able to surprise the birds on opening day. With dove hunting, the first few days of the season can be pretty much it. After the first big blast, the birds seem to get smart and by the next weekend, they usually are adjusted to hunters or a few cool nights will move them farther south. A lot of the opening day birds are local, so there are still plenty of birds up north yet to pass through the state.”

Reports from hunters and farmers in Missouri has shown a good population of doves prior to opening day. The season will run through Nov. 29, an addition of 20 days compared to last year.

As usual, places where there are plenty of water and food, the doves start to bunch up. Several farmers, including Jack Holland, found such a spot recently. He didn’t recall seeing so many doves as he was cutting silage.

For several years, I found an excellent spot to hunt doves. Dead cottonwood trees near a small pond located close to a grain field lured a lot of birds that didn’t seem to leave after I started shooting. My gun barrel was hot during the half-hour it took to bag the limit.

George Cooper has a favorite spot in Vernon County where he usually starts the dove season and along with his shotgun, he carries a fishing rod and reel. He said, “There is this nice farm pond where the birds like to get water on their way to the nearby roost. The pond also has some big bass and bluegill so whenever I go dove hunting there, I bring along some fishing gear and if the hunting is slow, I pick up the rod, catch a grasshopper and can usually catch a mess of fish. It doubles my pleasure.”

There are more than 180 conservation areas located across the state, and many of them are managed for doves, including sunflower fields, which draw a lot of birds. Twenty-one of those conservation areas require nontoxic shot. They have large wetlands where sizable numbers of waterfowl concentrate in the fall. The nontoxic shot requirement applies to all hunting with a shotgun. For a list of these areas plus information on dove, rail, snipe and teal, check the Migratory Bird Hunting Digest for 2016, which is available at any place permits are sold.

Read the rest of the Springfield News-Leader article

Nebraska’s dove season opening on September 1

By Rick Windham RWmedia@atcjet.net

Nebraska’s 2016 dove season opens September 1 and runs until October 30. Are you ready? There are lots of birds in the region so the beginning of the season should be a good one for most hunters.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service conducts an annual survey on dove populations and the data from that study is outstanding. There are some 300 million doves in North America. Since the arrival of the Eurasian Collared Dove, the overall population is growing.

There are documented cases of the Eurasian Collared Dove nesting in North America in every month but January. With that kind of reproductive rate it doesn’t take long to build up a population. Doves easily are the most populous game bird in North America.
If you have hunted doves or any other migratory bird in the past, you have probably received a Harvest Information Program (HIP) survey from the USFWS asking about your hunting success. Have you ever wondered what the USFWS does with that data? Well, it is used to determine the total harvest for the previous year and set limits on the next hunting season.

HIP data from 2015 showed that about 15 million doves were harvested last year. Some one million hunters spent about three million days in the field to do this. For those anti-hunting groups who always claim hunting doves (or hunting anything) is bad, the HIP data clearly shows that we are in no danger of exterminating or even damaging the resource.

“Dove hunting is a great outdoor experience and quite exciting,” said Aaron Hershberger, Information and Education Specialist with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. “It will test the best of shooters. The average is something like six shells fired for every bird harvested.”

Read the rest of the NP Telegraph article

WV's earliest hunting seasons will begin on Sept. 1 2016

John McCoy

The action isn't always hot for West Virginia's early September dove and goose hunts, but the hunters usually are.

Daytime temperatures for the seasons' traditional Sept. 1 openers usually range from uncomfortably warm to oppressively hot. After a long summer's worth of inactivity, hunters don't seem to mind.

“Opening day is the big day, especially for dove hunting,” said Mike Peters, migratory bird project leader for the state Division of Natural Resources. “If you go to [wildlife management areas] like Green Bottom, McClintic, Pleasant Creek, South Branch and Hillcrest, you'll find lots and lots of people out dove hunting.”

The same goes for ponds, lakes and agricultural fields frequented by resident Canada geese. The birds haven't been shot at since late January, and they aren't quite as wary as they are after pellets start flying. Hunters, hoping to take advantage of that early naiveté, make it a point to get out early.

Read the rest of the WV GazetteMail article

Texas A&M 2016 Veteran Dove Hunt 9/11

Texas A&M will be hosting a hunt for veterans on 9/11 in Sabinal. To participate by sponsorship in this event to honor those who protect our freedom call us at: 210-764-1189.

Special Controlled Dove Hunt Drawings in Southwest Ohio

Special controlled dove hunts will be held on August 27th, 2016 and not August 20th as printed in the 2016-2017 hunting digest.The drawing will be held at Fallsville, Rush Run, Spring Valley, Indian Creek, and Bott wildlife areas.These controlled hunts will occur during the first two days of the season, Thursday, Sept.1, and Friday, Sept.2, 2016.Controlled hunts will also be held at the St.Marys State Fish Hatchery on Thursday, Sept.1, Saturday, Sept.3, Saturday, Sept.10, and Saturday, Sept.17.

Read more http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/stay-informed/news-announcements/post/special-controlled-dove-hunt-drawings-in-southwest-ohio

South Carolina Youth dove hunt to be hosted in Abbeville County Sept. 3

A youth dove hunt, sponsored by S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and U.S. Forest Service, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 3 at the U.S. Forest Service Power of Partnerships Dove Field in Abbeville County.

The field is at the end of Bass Road, which is about five miles east of Abbeville on SC Highway 72. Pre-registration is not required, and the field will be open for the youth hunt from noon until 6 p.m.

For more information on the Sept. 3 youth dove hunt in Abbeville County, refer to the SCDNR website at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/hunting/youthhunting/specifichuntcriteria.html or call SCDNR's Abbeville Field Office at (864) 223-2731.

Eligibility for these hunts requires adults 21 years of age or older to bring one or two youths who are 15 years of age or younger. Youths 16 and 17 years of age may participate in the hunt with or without an accompanying adult. The following regulations also apply on special youth dove hunts:

Adults accompanying youth are not allowed to shoot at any time during special youth dove hunts.

Adults must remain in the field and closely supervise participating youth at all times.

In parties of one adult and two youths, only one youth hunter may be handling a loaded firearm at any given time.

Bag limit is 12 birds per youth participant. Birds harvested by individual hunters must be kept separate, and in no instance may an individual hunter harvest more than 12 birds.

Youth under 16 years of age do not have to be licensed or possess a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) permit. Youth 16 or 17 years old must possess a free Migratory Bird Permit (HIP) and have a Junior Sportsman License or an Apprentice License and a WMA permit.

by Greg Lucas
Media Relations Coordinator - Upstate
Office of Media & Outreach

Benelli On Assignment - Argentina Dove Hunt - FULL EPISODE! - Video

In this episode of Benelli On Assignment, host Joe Coogan teams up with six outdoor writers who travel to Cordoba, Argentina to torture-test Benelli's brand new Vinci shotgun during a high-volume dove shoot. This three-day, hot-barreled shoot tests the limits of the Vinci and the shooters as they fire nearly 90,000 rounds of 12-gauge ammo at the never-ending flocks of doves.

For More Bird Hunting Videos Please Visit BirdHunterTV.com

Texas September Dove Hunt Video

Rise-Kill-Eat Outdoors is proud to bring you September Dove. This video is the consolidation of four hunts in South Texas. With access to some of the greatest dove hunting fields north of the Rio Grande we head South to be a part of the annual celebration of the coming migration. We hope you enjoy watching this as much as we enjoyed shooting it. Special thanks to the hunt crew Joe, Matt, Clayton, Seth, Casey, and Chase. Each of these guys contributed in the hunt and camera work and above all else were patient to the process of filming a hunt

Idaho Dove Hunt with Mojo and Soar No More Decoys – Video

The Soar No More crew uses Mojo dove decoys and the Mojo tree, along with Soar No More pigeon decoys for the 2010 dove season opener. The birds cooperate and decoy beautifully, and seven hunters reach their bag limit.

Texas Dove Hunting Video - Nooner Ranch

Dove hunt starts at 6:30 in video

From the Nooner Ranch in Texas it’s opening day of the Texas dove seson and as always the doves are flying when you hunt at the Nooner Ranch and in this clip Wade Middleton and Mike Hawkes both put thier shooting skills to the test

Southern DOVE HUNTING Tennessee – Amy Faith busting doves! Video

Watch GoPro footage of a pretty good dove hunt. Amy Faith puts on a shooting clinic averaging 3 shots per dove… now thats awesome!

Dove Hunting Video – Hackberry Flats WMA in SW Oklahoma

Hackberry Flats WMA in SW Oklahoma is very famous for its epic opening day of dove season. Watch as one hunter enjoys dove hunting with a dog on this premier destination.

 

Oklahoma Dove Hunt Video - Red Dirt Road TV

Red Dirt Road TV – Dove hunt with Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children

Utah Dove Hunt - Video

The Dove hunt is finally here! Join us as we head out with my son Brock and the team from Goal Zero as we chase a few Doves at Wasatch Wing & Clay! We have a great time, and some good success.

For More Bird Hunting Videos Visit BirdHunterTV.com

IL Opening Day Dove Hunt Video

MidWest Outdoors Field Editor Ray Eye hosts this look at Opening Day of dove season, at Mike Weller's Shudwell Outdoors farm near Greenfield, Illinois. Great story, with footage of dove hunting taken from the perspective of the shooter. (This video supports a feature in the September, 2015 issue of MidWest Outdoors magazine.)

Talkin’ Outdoors – Arkansas Dove Hunting – Video

Talkin’ Outdoors airs on KARK, KARZ, and KOZL.

Steel Ammo Kills as Well as Lead – New Report Re-Ignites Hunters’ Ammo Dilemma

By Mark Reagan

No other state in the nation boasts as many doves — and hunters hot on their trail — as the Lone Star State, with its longstanding hunting culture passed down through the generations.

So it’s no surprise that a lingering national debate about the use of lead ammunition — whether it should be banned — continues to galvanize scientists, environmentalists, gun rights activists and hunters.

A study released by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in December further fueled the debate when it determined steel shot — a lead alternative — is just as effective in its lethality and in hunter satisfaction.

Agency spokesman Steve Lightfoot said reaction to the study has run the gamut.

“Social media comments have run the board, from ‘good to know’ to ‘we still don’t believe you,” Lightfoot told the Current. “This is still going to be an ongoing educational process.”

Lightfoot, however, said TPWD is not getting involved in the contentious debate.

“We are just putting information together that, hopefully, our hunters can make use of to make informed decisions moving forward.”

THE CONTROVERSY

There is a long-held belief in the Texas hunting community that lead is more effective — and humane — in killing animals.

This is because when lead strikes a target, it fragments into many pieces and slows down inside the animal, breaking bones and piercing organs.

Put simply, hunters believe lead shot kills quicker, preventing animals from escaping and suffering from wounds for a longer period of time.

But the TPWD report, which came with a $500,000 price tag and was funded through Migratory Game Bird and Texas White-winged Dove stamp revenue, sheds definitive doubt on that long-held belief.

To come to this conclusion, TPWD experts recorded more than 5,000 shots fired during the 2008 and 2009 dove hunting seasons in Brown, Coleman and McCulloch counties. Researchers conducted necropsies on 1,100 mourning doves and determined “no statistical significant difference in harvest efficiencies between the three loads tested regardless of distance.” Two kinds of steel shot were compared with lead shot.

Read the full San Antonio Current article

SNM Soar No More Pro Mourning Dove Decoy Review Video

Soar No More NEW larger Mourning Dove Decoys.  Better paint.  Clips and Stakes.

SNM Pro Mourning Dove Decoy Review Video

Kansas Dove Hunt Video

Dove hunt starts at 17:47

A special Dove Hunt on restricted land in Southeast Kansas.

Mississippi Dove Hunting Video – MS Outdoors

Melvin Tingle, Amanda Mills, and Randy Newell go Dove hunting at Howard Miller Wildlife Mangement Area

Unstoppable Dove Shooting Video

We are wingshooting outfitters with more than a dozen years in the business. We offer a different perspective on wing shooting desires. We are behind a most personalized shooting service on ground because we understand that every group of guests looks for a special type of hunting program and accommodations.

Dove Hunt Opening Day Texas 2015 Video - 90 Dove Day

Team Ducknasty and I went out and did a little dove hunting opening day of the season. We shot a 6 man limit of 90 doves in a little over 3 hours. If you enjoyed this hunting video please give it a thumbs up and leave a comment!

Ontario Dove Hunt Video

North America’s most popular game bird now has an open season in Ontario. Host Mike Miller is joined by Dr. Scott Petrie, Executive Director of Long Point Waterfowl, to take part in Ontario’s first mourning dove hunt. Tune in to see how Mike and the team does.