Doves are Delicious

The fall hunting season unofficially begins with the opening day of dove season: at noon on Saturday, September 7, 2013.

“Many WMAs provide fields managed specifically for dove so there is no lack of opportunity for desired locations,” says John W. Bowers, chief of Game Management. “Opening day typically is fun-filled, as many hunts involve cookouts and lots of activity, making it a great time to introduce family and friends to hunting.”

Many WMA public dove fields are reserved solely for quota hunts on opening day.  Review dove hunting rules and regulations to ensure the availability of the field you plan to visit.

Dove Season Dates and Times

The official 2013-2014 dove seasons are:

• September 7-22
• October 12-20 and
• November 28 – January 11, 2014.
• Shooting hours are noon until sunset on opening day (Sept. 7) and one-half hour before sunrise to sunset for the remainder of the season dates.

Click Here for sunrise/sunset times from the GA Hunting Guide

Limits & Rules

• The daily bag limit is 15 doves per hunter.
• White-winged doves may be harvested, but count toward the daily bag limit of 15.
• Any autoloading or other repeating shotgun must be plugged to hold no more than three shotshells while hunting doves.
• Hunters must obtain permission from landowners before hunting on private property.
• Dove hunters 16 years of age and older must possess a Georgia hunting license and a free Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) Permit.
• When hunting on a WMA, you also must possess a WMA license.

Please respect the land by cleaning up spent shells, leaving gates the way they were found and removing all trash.

Hunters may click here to purchase licenses online

Updated and accurate harvest rate estimates facilitate the successful management of doves. In 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Research Division and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in cooperation with several states, including Georgia, initiated an ongoing dove banding project.  Hunters can participate in this conservation effort by examining harvested doves for leg bands and reporting band numbers to the USFWS by calling 1-800-327-BAND.

Biologists with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division recently issued the 2013 dove field forecast covering wildlife management areas and additional dove fields throughout the state.

The forecast identifies available crops and anticipates the expected conditions for opening day, noting if fields are in excellent, good, fair or poor condition. Hunters can utilize the online resource as they plan opening day activities.  Forecast at www.georgiawildlife.com/DoveForecast .

For more information on dove hunting rules and regulations, public dove fields and conditions, or adult/child dove hunts, hunters should review the 2012-2013 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations guide, available at www.georgiawildlife.com/hunting/regulations or at any Wildlife Resources Division Game Management office.