Don’t wait until the last minute to get ready
Okay, you know this Monday, Sept. 1, is the dove season opener – but are you ready? Probably not, as procrastination and busy lifestyles typically prevent us all from getting ahead. And don’t forget, Monday is a holiday and all department offices will be closed, as will many license dealers. If you need to get a hunting license, bird stamp, shells or other items – time is running out.
But don’t worry, because with a little planning and our quick to-do list, you’ll be ready with time to spare for setting your alarm clock for that 3 a.m. wakeup call.
Dove hunter to-do list:
- License: All hunters 14 years and older must have a general class hunting license. Children 13 years old and younger do not need a license when accompanied by a licensed adult. Licenses can be purchased from any license dealer in the state or department office.
- Stamp: All hunters 16 years and older must have an Arizona migratory bird stamp (once known as a HIP stamp). The stamp can be purchased from any license dealer in the state, or department office.
- Shells: Don’t forget the average hunter uses nearly 5 shots for every bird downed. For a 10-bird limit, that’s 2 boxes of shells – minimum.
- Water: It will be a hot one this season, so bring plenty of water and ice for you, the kids, and the dog too.
- Eyes & ears: Protect your eyes and ears, wear safety glasses and ear plugs. Do not underestimate the damage that shotguns can do to your ears, especially in young shooters.
- Camo: Skip it! Wear a hunter orange hat to make you visible to other hunters. Doves pick up on movement, so standing still near bushes to break up your silhouette is just as effective, and safer.
- Area: City boundaries have changed significantly over the years – especially in the fringe areas of Buckeye, Gilbert and North Phoenix – be certain you are hunting in a legal area. Also, don’t forget to be at least ¼ of a mile from any building – that’s 1,320 feet or nearly 5 football fields.
- Shoot: Keep your zone-of-fire directly in front of you and within a 45-degree arch. Also, make sure you are shooting at birds that are completely backlit by the sky – if you see bushes or trees in your sight picture, you’re shooting too low.
- Celebrate: Break out your camera and get plenty of pictures. Then, clean your harvested birds in the field and get them on ice quickly. Dove are excellent table fare when treated properly in the field and not over-cooked at home. Be sure to leave at least one feathered wing on for identification until you reach your final destination.
- Cleanup: Pack it in, pack it out. Be sure to pick up your spent shells and any other garbage.
This dove season should be one to remember due to the combination of good seasonal rains and an increase in grain crops that are planted throughout the state.
Dove hunting is probably the most communal gathering of friends and family members outside of national holidays. Let’s keep that tradition going: Bring along a youngster or new shooter when you take to the field and show what hunting and the outdoors are all about.
New hunters that need help getting started, can take advantage of the many department-hosted introductory dove hunts this year. For a list of locations and dates click here, and find the article “Introduce a youngster to dove hunting at juniors’ outings.”
For a great dove recipe that will have you and your friends coming back for more, click here.
The early dove season is from Sept. 1-15, and shooting hours for adults are from one half-hour before sunrise until noon (in the southern zone), but youth can hunt all day in either the southern or northern zone. The bag limit is 10 birds, of which no more than six can be white-winged doves. The 2008-09 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon regulations are available at license dealers, department offices or online at www.azgfd.gov/rules.
As a final reminder, snakes are active due to the monsoon rains. Look before you stick your hand in a bush when retrieving downed birds. If you have kids, remind them to look and listen.
And always remember the hunter’s safety rule T.A.B. +1:
T=Treat every gun as if it were loaded;
A=Always keep your muzzle pointed in a safe direction;
B=Be sure of your target and beyond;
+1=Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.
