Hunters are reminded that they are required to leave a fully feathered wing attached to doves when transporting them. The daily bag limit is 10 (in combination of all species) and the possession limit is 20.
DFG biologists expect an above average turnout of hunters this year since the opener falls on Labor Day Weekend. DFG recommends wearing shooting safety glasses when dove hunting.
DFG managed lands provide dozens of locations to hunt. The Game Bird Heritage Program, funded through the sale of upland game bird stamps, provided over $100,000 this year to plant crops doves love to eat on state lands and on partnership private lands in the Imperial Valley which provide free public access. The main crops planted are safflower, millet and sunflowers.
Hunting opportunity for dove is available in all regions of the state. Dove hunting is especially popular in the San Joaquin Valley and the Imperial Valley. DFG managed lands are available in both areas, providing hunting opportunity on a reservation and non reservation basis.
In the Imperial Valley a cooperative effort between DFG, Desert Wildlife Unlimited, the Imperial County Fish and Game Commission, Quail Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and the San Diego Safari Club will open approximately 20 sites encompassing close to 3,000 acres to public hunting on private land. This is in addition to two DFG wildlife areas in the area.
DFG operates a series of wildlife areas and ecological reserves from Shasta Valley Wildlife Area in the north to the Imperial Valley in the south that have open or limited dove hunting opportunities. Information on lands managed by DFG with dove hunting opportunities can be found at www.dfg.ca.gov/lands and at www.dfg.ca.gov/hunting/gbh. Further localized information is available at regional offices noted on the website.
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