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DovesBy Linda DightmonAZOD Staff EditorPhotos by Tom Kampert
September 1st is only one day after August 31st but somehow turning that calendar page makes it seem like fall. For many Arizona hunters that day is a perpetual red-letter day. It is the first day of dove season. Even though it is still 110 degrees in the shade the long long summer is drawing to a close. At first light, 9-1-02, the fall hunting season will officially begin.
Generally, dove hunts are not physically taxing, last half a day and with the right spot, have lots of action. It is also the time when we get creative in excuses for missed shots. It is OK to miss. This makes dove hunting the perfect time to introduce new or young hunters to the sport. This year the drought has been stressful for native desert plants bringing seed production down. Doves will be concentrated in agricultural fields and any desert areas that have received lots of monsoon rain. As always, preseason scouting is the key for successful dove hunts. Last years perfect spot may be this year’s subdivision. Be sure to talk to landowners. It is illegal to discharge firearms within a quarter mile of buildings without the owners permission. The early season ends on September 15th. A migratory bird stamp is required. Shooting ends at noon in the Southern zones. Mourning and white-winged doves cannot total more that ten. Here’s the hook. Of those ten birds no more than six can be white-winged. So, if you shoot six white-winged doves and no mourning doves then your hunt is over for the day. Check out the “2002-2003 Dove and Band-Tailed Pigeon Regulations” for details. While you’re checking, be sure to read the regulation regarding LITTERING. It’s illegal to litter but every year there are thousands of empty shotgun shells left lying around. Empty shotgun shells are litter and Game and Fish officers can, and will, issue a citation. Rightfully so or not, dove shooters take most of the blame for these eyesores. Picking up your cases and some of the ones that the inconsiderate slob left would do miracles in hunter/landowner relations. It also creates a little exercise in between flights. To help increase accuracy AZOD shooting editor Gary McGraw offers these gems of wisdom: 1. Buy or take some kids helium balloon, tie about
40 yards of string to it. Tie the loose end around your finger, now let go
of the balloon. See how high up it looks? Well that is in the effective
range of your shotgun. All of those dove that are flying over your head
are not out of range. Think that’s weird, read the next tip.
So dust off that scatter gun, do some scouting and get your HIP stamp. There is no better way to usher in the fall hunting season than a shoot out with some fast flying feathered fun. Don’t forget to bring the youngsters. Those three A.M. wakeups are lots more fun when there are newbies to roust. Lots of hunters have special memories of those first dove hunts. It is your heritage. Pass it on. –END-
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