Georgia’s dove hunting season often is seen as the “kickoff” to the fall hunting season. Hunters across the state can begin hunting doves at the same time and on the same day, noon on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2006. To help ensure a safe and legal hunting season the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) reminds hunters to review all rules and regulations regarding dove hunting. The 2006-2007 Georgia dove hunting season runs Sept. 2 – 16, Oct. 7-16 and Nov. 23 – Jan. 6.

“Georgia has some fantastic public opportunities for dove hunters, 38 wildlife management areas across the state to be exact, have been managed to attract doves,” says WRD Chief of Game Management Bill Fletcher. “In addition to being the ‘kickoff’ to the fall hunting season, dove hunting is a prime opportunity to introduce somebody new to hunting, as it is typically a fun-filled day.”

Hunters should be sure to observe the following regulations when dove hunting:

· Sportsmen and women over the age of 16 must possess a Georgia hunting license and a free Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program Permit (HIP Permit) to hunt doves. Those hunting on a WMA also must possess a WMA license. Hunters may purchase licenses at over 1,000 license agents, on the Internet at www.gohuntgeorgia.com or by phone at 1-888-748-6887.

· Shooting hours are 12:00 noon until sunset on opening day of first (Sept.2) and second (Oct.7) seasons, and one-half hour before sunrise to sunset for the remainder of the season. The sunrise and sunset times for each day can be found on page 43 of the 2006-2007 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations guide or on the WRD website at www.gohuntgeorgia.com .

· The daily bag limit is 12 doves per day per hunter.

· Any autoloading or other repeating shotgun must be plugged to hold no more than three shotshells while hunting doves.

· Hunters are reminded to obtain permission from landowners before hunting on private property and should be sure to treat all land with respect; clean up spent shells, leave gates the way they were found and remove all trash.

Doves are the number one migratory game bird harvested in the nation. Successful management of this renewable natural resource is facilitated by updated and accurate harvest rate estimates. As such, the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Research Division and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in cooperation with several states, including Georgia, initiated a dove trapping and banding project in 2003. Hunters can actively participate in this significant conservation effort by examining harvested doves closely for bands, and most importantly report band numbers to the USFWS by calling 1-800-327-BAND (2263).

For more information on dove hunting rules and regulations, public dove fields and conditions, or adult/child dove hunts, hunters should review the 2006-2007 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations guide, available at www.gohuntgeorgia.com or call a WRD Game Management Office.

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