CHEYENNE - While cool, moist weather typically pushes many Wyoming doves south early in the season, it doesn’t send a dove hunter’s responsibility to get the HIP or harvest information permit with it.

The HIP permit, a permanent federal requirement for all licensed migratory bird hunters - including lifetime and Pioneer license holder - since 1998, is often overlooked by dove hunters, reports Game and Fish Department officers. Although the permit is federal, one is needed for each state a hunter is licensed to hunt migratory birds.

In Wyoming, the permit is free at the Game and Fish’s Web site at http://gf.state.wy.us or it costs $.50 at license agents and Game and Fish offices. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses the information from the HIP application to better target respondents for their harvest surveys.

Larry Roberts, the Game and Fish’s migratory game bird biologist, says statistics suggest many Wyoming lifetime game bird license holders believe their lifetime license includes a lifetime HIP. But, the HIP permit is required annually for each licensed migratory bird hunter, no matter what type of license is held.

Wyoming’s mourning dove season is Sept. 1 - Oct. 30 with a daily limit of 15 and 30 in possession.

(contact: Jeff Obrecht)