Sunflowers, other crops planted especially for dove season
PRATT -- To enhance dove hunting opportunity, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has managed a number of fields on wildlife areas specifically to attract doves. Management techniques include standing or mowed sunflowers, unharvested strips of wheat and burned crop stubble, mowed wheat, mixed plantings, or any combination of techniques. Some areas will have restricted hunting dates or times, and others may be restricted to youth and disabled hunters.

Kansas hunters will enjoy pursuing four species of doves this fall and winter, in split seasons. The season for all doves runs Sept. 1-Oct. 14 and Nov. 1-16. During these times, two native species (mourning and white-winged doves) as well as two exotic species (Eurasian collared and ringed turtle doves) may be taken. In addition, an exotic species season runs Nov. 20-Feb. 28, 2009. During this time, only Eurasian collared and ringed turtle doves may be taken.

Hunters are reminded that under a regulation adopted last summer, there will be no bag and possession limits for Eurasian collared doves and ringed turtle doves. However, during the dove regular season -- Sept. 1 through Oct. 14 and Nov. 1-16 -- if the take of exotic doves exceeds a hunter’s daily bag of mourning and white-winged doves of 15 (single species or in combination), the exotic doves must be transported with a fully feathered wing attached. The possession limit for mourning and white-winged doves is 30.

For details on areas specially managed for doves, go the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us. Click Hunting/Migratory Birds/Doves/Managed Hunting Areas for details on the nearest managed dove area.

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