Dove Season in Mississippi Opens this Weekend, Sept 3rd

Jackson, Miss. – One of the most popular hunting days of the year is quickly approaching with the opening day of dove season, September 3rd.

Hunters need to be sure their hunting license is current for the 2011 hunting season, complete with Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification which is required for hunting all migratory game birds.

The bag limit for mourning doves and/or white winged doves is 15 per day with no more than 30 in possession; collared doves do not count in the bag limit. The possession limit does not apply on opening day. Shooting hours are from 30 minutes prior to sunrise to sunset.

In previous years, the most common citation on dove fields has been no hunting license. Fewer license holders in Mississippi has a direct impact on the agency’s ability to conserve our wildlife resources due to redistribution of federal aid dollars to other states. Hunters should also be sure shotguns are not capable of holding more than three shells, and be aware of how the field was prepared.

Some hunters are greatly concerned about finding themselves hunting on a baiting field. Hunting with the aid of bait is illegal, and it is the hunter’s responsibility to know if the field is baited or not. The fear of unknowingly hunting on a baited field should not deter hunters from going afield. There are three questions the hunter should to be able to answer prior to hunting to prevent these concerns. Those questions are: “Did I know the field was baited, did I look to see if the field was baited, and did I ask the landowner how the field was prepared?” Steve Adcock, Chief of Law Enforcement with MDWFP, states “Our primary objectives are to protect the resource and make sure everybody has a safe and enjoyable hunt.”

Please contact the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks for additional information at 601-432-2400 or on the agency website at www.mdwfp.com.

OutdoorHub

OutdoorHub.com is the premier online resource for all things hunting, fishing, and shooting. From breaking news to product reviews and instructional guides, we’ve got all corners of the great outdoors covered!