Authored By Staff report

The annual start of dove season is one of Tennessee’s most long-standing outdoor sports traditions. Tennessee’s 2018 dove season is again divided into three segments: Sept. 1-28; Oct. 13 through Nov. 4; and Dec. 8 through Jan. 15, 2019. Hunting times, other than opening day, are one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Doves are found throughout the various regions in the state, but the highest concentration is in farming areas. The hunter must have in his/her possession a valid state hunting license and Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit at all times while hunting. Hunters must have the landowner’s permission to hunt on private land. TWRA manages dove hunting fields in each of the four regions. Click here for more information and location of fields. The daily bag limit for doves is 15. There is no limit on collared doves. Doves not readily identifiable as collared doves will be considered mourning doves and will count toward the mourning dove daily bag limit. Taking of migratory game birds by the aid of baiting, or on or over any baited area, is not allowed. Any autoloading or repeating shotgun must be incapable of holding more than three shells while being used for dove hunting. Early goose season In addition to the start of dove season, the early season for Canada goose, brant, and blue, snow, and Ross’ Geese (light geese) also started on Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 16. Other hunting seasons that opened Sept. 1 are moorhens/gallinules and rails (Virginia and sora). The Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit is also required to hunt these species. More information on Tennessee’s dove and other migratory birds can be found on the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website in the Hunting section. The 2018-19 Tennessee Hunting & Trapping Guide can also be viewed on the website, the TWRA App, or a copy may be obtained at any TWRA regional office or wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. This year’s guide also includes waterfowl regulations, which in previous years were included in a separate guide. Alabama youth dove hunt schedule announced The Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) recently announced that the state’s 18th Annual Youth Dove Hunts have been scheduled for 2018. For most of the state, the hunts begin on Sept. 8. Although the hunts are free, registration is required. Online registration is scheduled to open August 27 at 8 a.m. Find more information including a complete hunt schedule, here. Hunters submitting a registration for participation in a youth dove hunt must be a parent or an adult at least 21 years old and have a Conservation ID number. Once you receive a registration confirmation email and accept the hunt you wish to attend, you cannot register for a second hunt until the date of your registered hunt has passed. For information about how to obtain a Conservation ID number, visit www.outdooralabama.com/hunting. Alabama’s Youth Dove Hunt events are held in open fields and staffed by WFF personnel, which encourages a safe, secure environment for both parents and participants. The program also makes use of private lands and fields opened for use by community members, which fosters good relationships between hunters and private landowners. To participate in the hunts, youth hunters must be age 15 or younger and accompanied by an adult at least 21 years old (or a parent) who holds a valid state hunting license and a Harvest Information Program (HIP) stamp. Hunters should obtain their license and HIP stamp before the hunt since they will not be available on-site. Before each hunt, a short welcome session with reminders on hunting safety will be conducted. All hunters are encouraged to wear eye protection and earplugs. Doves are migratory and covered by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has special rules and regulations that apply to dove hunting which all hunters must follow. To review the Alabama Cooperative Extension System recommendations for plantings related to dove management, click here. Georgia dove season Georgia’s dove hunting season also opened on Sat. Sept. 1, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). The official 2018—2019 dove seasons are Sept. 1—16, Oct. 13—31 and Nov. 22 — Jan. 15. Other than opening day, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. “One of the best times of the year to introduce someone to hunting is during dove season,” said John W. Bowers, Chief of WRD Game Management. “Georgia offers more than 50 public dove fields, including opportunities on private land made available to the public through a U.S. Department of Agriculture program called the Voluntary Public Access/Habitat Incentive Program.” Find more dove season tips and information from Georgia DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division here.