Dove hunting season to open Thursday, Sept. 1

Renaee Larson at the Sloan Conservation Area near Lockwood, checks out a sunflower field prior to the opening of the 2016 dove season that opens Sept. 1. (Photo by Ken White/Special to the Daily Mail)

Since Sept. 1 comes on a Thursday this year, the large population of doves within the state won't have much time to dodge hunters before the big Labor Day weekend. Which will be fine with many hunters like George Cooper, a retiree who has spent many opening days through the years working.

"This year," Cooper said, "I will be able to surprise the birds on opening day. With dove hunting, the first few days of the season can be pertty much it. After the first big blast, the birds seem to get smart and by the next weekend, they usually are adjusted to hunters or a few cool night nights will move them farther south. A lot of the opening day birds are local so there are still plenty of birds up north yet to pass thru the state."

Reports from hunters and farmers in Missouri has shown a good population of doves prior to opening day. The season will run through November 29, an addition of 20 days from last year.

As usual, places where there are plenty of water and food, the doves start to bunch up. Several farmers including Jack Holland found such a spot recently. He didn't recall seeing so many doves as he was cutting silage.

For several years, I found an excellent spot to hunt doves. Dead cottonwood trees near a small pond located close to a grain field lured a lot of birds that didn't seem to leave after I started shooting. My gun barrel was hot during the half- hour it took to bag the limit.

George Cooper has a favorite spot in Vernon County where he usually starts the dove season and along with his shotgun, he carries a fishing rod and reel. He said, " There is this nice farm pond where the birds like to get water on their way to the nearby roost. The pond also has some big bass and bluegill so whenever I go dove hunting there, I bring along some fishing gear and if the hunting is slow, I pick up the rod, catch a grasshopper and can usually catch a mess of fish. It doubles my pleasure."

There are more than 180 Conservation areas located across the state and many of them are managed for doves including sunflower fields which draw a lot of birds. Twenty-one of those Conservation areas require nontoxic shot. They have large wetlands where sizable numbers of waterfowl concentrate in the fall. The nontoxic shot requirement applies to all hunting with a shotgun. For a list of these areas plus information on dove, rail, snipe and teal, check the Migratory Bird Hunting Digest for 2016 which is available at any place permits are sold.

I recently checked out the Sloan Conservation Area, near Lockwood, where there are several sunflower and wheat fields. Renee Lawson, who has worked the area for the past 18 years said, " We expect a lot of hunters on opening day. There are a good number of doves using the area now."

Young hunters can learn about dove hunting at an upcoming event workshop and hunt located in the Shawnee Trail Conservation Area in Barton County starting at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Aug. 31. The young hunters will be introduced to the sport of dove hunting ,outdoor ethics and gun safety during the workshop. This will be followed by an adult- mentored hunt Sept. 3 that will take place at the same area. The event is open to youngsters age 11 to 15. The young hunters must be accompanied by an adult for all portions of the clinic and hunt. Youths must attend the clinic on Aug. 31 to participate in the Sept. 3 hunt. All the young hunters must be hunter certified and have a migratory bird permit.

Besides being an enjoyable pastime, dove hunting can be an educational tool. The wing shooting ethnics and firearm safety practices needed to be a successful dove hunter are good things for the youth to know. Also the knowledge may serve as an introduction to other hunting and sport shooting activity. This event is free to the participants. To register, call the Joplin office of the Missouri Department of Conservation at 417- 629-3423. The registration deadline is Aug. 29. For more information on dove hunting, check the website at mdc.mo. gov.

A Mourning dove prior to opening day of the dove hunting season that opens Sept. 1. (Photo Courtesy of Missouri Department of Conservation)

MDC along with the National Wild Turkey Federation, Quail Forever, Quail and Wildlife Federation, the Missouri Prairie Foundation and private landowners will provide mentored dove hunts for first-time dove hunters on 12 private fields located across the state. There will be three hunts on each field including one on opening day Sept. 1. Two other days to be determined. Field assignments will be on a first come-first served basics. Each participating new hunter will be assigned a mentor and pre-hunt workshops will provide basic hunter safety, the importance of hunting and hunters and the opportunity to practice shooting a shotgun.

Each field will be limited to two first time hunters and mentors per acre to maximum safety and provide a quality experience. Priority will be given to anyone 11 and older that is hunting for the first time. To register for the hunt, at tinyurl.com/nov6gos. For more information contact John Burk at 573-676-5994. To get information on MDC dove hunting workshops go to mdc.mo.gov/events.

A pond I checked prior to opening day of the dove season surprised me when I saw eight blue wing teal swimming on it. Although, these early migrants tend to arrive by late August or early September. It should be another good teal season that opens Sept. 10 to Sept. 25.

Along with dove and teal, Rail and snipe seasons will open on Sept. 1, bow hunters will open their season for deer and turkey on Sept. 15. The 2016 fall hunting season gets underway starting Sept. 1.