Avoid Common Dove Season Mistakes With Checklist Approach to Dove Hunting 8-28-2010
gengberg August 28th, 2010
Avoid common dove season mistakes with checklist approach to dove hunting
With dove season only days away, law enforcement officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation remind hunters to be sharp regarding season regulations.
Dove season runs Sept. 1 through Nov. 9 statewide, except in the southwest zone. The southwest zone will be open for hunting Sept. 1 through Oct. 31 and Dec. 25 through Jan. 2. The southwest zone starts on U.S. 62 from the Texas border west of Hollis, east to Interstate 44, Interstate 44 south to OK 7, OK 7 east to U.S. 81 and U.S. 81 south to the Texas border at the Red River.
Full details and regulations for dove hunting are available in the current “Oklahoma Hunting Guide,” available free online at wildlifedepartment.com or at any location where hunting licenses are sold.
Law enforcement officials hoping to help well-meaning sportsmen stay on top of their game suggest hunters read the “Hunting Guide” in full for details on general regulations and license requirements, but especially those portions that pertain to the species they plan to hunt. Additionally, working over a mental or written checklist of common violations before each hunt may serve to remind hunters of mistakes to avoid.
“When hunters make a ‘laundry or check list’ before season and follow it, they will be much better prepared,” said Robert Fleenor, law enforcement chief for the Wildlife Department. “Going out at the last minute and not being prepared is the biggest problem.”
The following is a basic checklist to help avoid some of the most common dove season mistakes:
* Obtain the appropriate hunting license as well as the Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit.
* Use appropriate shotgun plug. Taking migratory game birds such as doves with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined, unless otherwise provided, is prohibited. Fleenor said even well meaning hunters who remember to plug their shotguns should still ensure that the plug they use limits the magazine to two shells.
* Obtain landowner permission before hunting on private property. Continue Reading »
