FLIPPIN - Despite not receiving the 2005-2006 early season migratory bird frameworks from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, biologists from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission earlier this month presented the proposed early season migratory bird frameworks for consideration. Final approval for the seasons will take place during the commission's meeting in July.

The commission received the recommendations based on probable season lengths for all species in the early migratory season, AGFC waterfowl program coordinator Andrew James said. "Most of the season structures vary little from year to year, so we can be somewhat confident in setting these seasons before receiving the final season structures," James said. "However, early teal season structures are dependent on habitat conditions and population estimates and that is difficult to speculate at this time," he added.

Two options for mourning dove season were presented for consideration. Both options give dove hunters 60 days of hunting. The first option is: Sept. 3-25, Oct. 8-23 and Dec. 19- Jan. 8, 2006. The second option is: Sept. 1-Sept. 23, Oct. 8-23 and Dec. 19-Jan. 8. The opening of the second split will allow for October hunting while the opening of the third split provides late season opportunity and includes the majority of the split's days parallel to the expected waterfowl season dates. The third split also includes both the December and January holiday vacation periods.

James said that the three-way split in mourning dove season was an effort to capture the largest part of dove migration. "Most morning dove hunting takes place during the first few days of the season, but  some individuals enjoy hunting later in the year. Christmas bird counts have revealed large numbers of mourning doves in Arkansas, but numbers vary depending on the weather," he explained. "Mourning dove migration through Arkansas typically begins in August, peaks in early September and ends by late October," James added.

Other proposed early migratory seasons included: