Dove Season

 Its that time of year again.  Dove season is here. The 15-day season opens 30 minutes before legal sunrise on Sept. 1.   You will need a migratory bird stamp; it costs $3.00 over the counter and be sure to check the legal shooting hours in your unit.  Hunts are either in the morning or evening hours.  So go to the store and get your shotgun shells before they’re out of stock.   Get out there and do a little scouting to find that perfect spot.   You’ve got to find either a field that the doves are visiting or a watering hole.  Be sure to get permission if you’re planning to hunt on private land and for goodness sakes pick up your spent shells.  Nothing is more unsightly or damming to hunter reputations than a field full of spent shotgun shells.  

White Wing dove populations are up this year and hunters should do well if the weather doesn’t drive them south.  Morning Dove populations are about the same so the season should be pretty much a typical one.  Folks in phoenix have had to go a little further out each year to find good shooting.   The theme for agricultural is water management, growing more on less, so hunters have fewer places to hunt. 

All in all it should be good season, so get out there and heat up your gun barrel.  Arizona Outdoorsman wishes you good luck and good shooting.