Frankfort, Ky. – Kentucky farmers can earn extra cash in the Dove Field Hunt Program offered by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

Initiated in 1998, the Dove Field Hunt Program, formerly known as the Dove Field Lease Program, has been successful not only in providing expanded public hunting opportunities, but also in generating important new income for Kentucky farmers.

Fields planted in the spring specifically as prescribed for dove hunting next fall can generate as much as $2,500 for a landowner when leased to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife for public hunting. Crops such as sunflowers or millet qualify, or an idle or fallow field planted to winter wheat also could be considered. By working with your local wildlife biologist, any field previously intended for silage production can easily become a dove-hunting field.

“Larger fields up to 20 acres are preferred. However, in the past, we have had some excellent smaller fields enrolled in the program. Therefore, all fields regardless of size will be evaluated and considered for the program,” said Migratory Bird Program Coordinator Rocky Pritchert.

Area farmers interested in the program should contact their local wildlife biologist for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, or their Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) liaison no later than February 29.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife biologists, NRCS liaisons and their contact information are listed on the department’s web site at fw.ky.gov. Click on “wildlife,” then “contacts.” You may also call the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Information Center during normal weekday working hours at 1-800-858-1549.