Lincoln, Neb. – Nebraska Hunter Education Coordinator Mike Streeter urges hunters to follow basic safety rules and help to make the 2005 dove hunting season accident free across the state this year.

Streeter says hunters should:

-- always wear eye and ear protection when hunting or shooting. “You have only one set of eyes and one set of ears and they must last you a lifetime. Be careful and protect them at all costs;”

-- carefully inspect all shooting and hunting equipment to ensure it is in proper working condition and repair or replace damaged equipment prior to taking to the field;

-- improve shooting skills by practicing at the trap or skeet range before opening day;

-- dress in camouflage clothing while hunting if you want, but place some hunter orange material near you so other hunters will know youre there. “Though doves can see color, it is movement by the hunter that alerts the birds;”

– let the bird come as close as possible before shooting. “The average hunters chances of taking a fast-flying dove at a distance of more than 30 or 35 yards are slim;”

– always be sure of the target and what is beyond it. Before setting up to hunt, make sure there are no other hunters, livestock, roads or buildings downrange from your location.

– always ask yourself if the shot you are about to take is safe, ethical, and responsible. If not, dont shoot. There is no taking back a shot once it has been fired. “Always engage your brain before the gun comes up.”

– never have a loaded gun around a house, vehicle, or in a gun case. Always unload when you are not actually shooting, especially when you are crossing a fence or other obstacle;

-- be especially aware of “zones of fire” or where you can safely shoot at a bird. “The dove hunter must be constantly aware of the position of other hunters in the field. Sometimes when a bird gets up the excited hunter forgets where other hunters are located.”

– have a good time dove hunting and hunt safely.

The dove season will be Sept. 1 - Oct. 30. The daily bag limit is 15 doves, the possession limit is 30. Resident dove hunters 16 years of age and older, and all nonresidents regardless of age, must have a 2005 Nebraska Hunting Permit and a 2005 Nebraska Habitat Stamp, both of which may be purchased online from the Game and Parks Commissions web site at www.outdoornebraska.org , from any Commission office, or from any permit agent across the state.

A free 2005 Harvest Information Program (HIP) number is required of all migratory bird hunters, including residents, nonresidents, lifetime permit holders, veterans and the over 70 tears of age fee-exempt permit holders. Only resident hunters under the age of 16 are exempted from registration. When registered, the hunter receives a registration number they must carry with them while hunting doves, ducks, geese, snipe, rail, coot or woodcock. To register online anytime, day or night, go to www.nehip.com . To register by phone, call the HIP 24-hour, toll-free number, 1-888-403-2473. The system can handle many calls simultaneously, so there shouldnt be a wait, but hunters should register early to avoid the anticipated rush as dove season approaches.

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