Dove hunting should be good for both the early and late seasons. Good summer rains and a fair nesting season have led to good number of birds, especially for the late season.

Hunters should be aware that a hunting license and HIP stamp are now required to take Eurasian collared doves. There is no bag limit on Eurasian collared doves and the season is the year round. The Eurasian doves are large (about the size of a white-wing) and excellent eating.

For the other huntable dove species, there is 10-dove daily bag limit of which no more than six can be white-wings. During the late season, white wings will have migrated south, so the primary species will be mourning doves.

Good to excellent summer rains, especially in the desert areas, resulted in a good desert seed crop. The down side is that hunters may find doves somewhat dispersed.

The upside for late-season dove hunters is an increased opportunity to have multiple-bag hunts for doves, quail, rabbits and ducks. Many desert waterholes should have water in them and provide good shooting about mid-morning during the early season, and both morning and evening in the late season.

Doves should still concentrate in croplands and at other man-made food and water sources that provide excellent shooting opportunities. Most traditional areas will offer good dove shooting. Keep in mind that rabbits abound and provide excellent fare for the hunter’s table (along with the doves).

Desert areas surrounding the Phoenix metropolitan area also hold doves. Hunters should look for birds around watering and roosting sites. Most shoots at waterholes start later in the morning (7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.) or during the late season, in the late afternoons after the birds have fed and are coming to water. Check U.S. Forest Service maps for waterholes, stock tanks, ponds and creeks.

Remember to practice good sportsmanship and hunting ethics while in the field. Observe areas that are posted, hunt away from roads, and pick up all litter, including empty shotgun shells and piles of feathers.

WEST VALLEY:

The west valley is growing rapidly which may cause problems for dove hunters.

Many traditional hunting areas are now covered with homes, posted no hunting areas, or are in close proximity to homes. Aside from these minor inconveniences, the dove population looks strong. Late summer rains have put some water back into dry desert tanks, which are now attracting many doves. Many doves are still holding tight to the agricultural fields, make sure to get permission before entering private property. Also make sure to know what city you are hunting near; some cities are very strict about shooting within the city limits. In the west valley, your best and safest bets will be to look for hunting areas west of the town of Buckeye, and west of the Beardsley canal.

The Robbins Butte Wildlife Area usually offers excellent early season hunting and is open to the public. Hunting in the late season should also be good. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has planted many dove food crops at Robbins Butte this season and there should be plenty of birds for hunters.

If you are looking for a bit more secluded shooting hunters may wish to scout agricultural areas south of Gillespie Dam. Look for roosting sites in the thickets along the Gila River. Plenty of doves are in the area, and they should provide good action all season long.

Additionally, hunters may want to check out the Arlington Ponds (Desert Rose and Arlington School roads) area and associated Gila River corridor. The desert areas off Sun Valley Parkway on the western side of the White Tank Mountains and the Hassayampa River corridor (access by driving up the Hassayampa from the Indian School Road crossing) are also good spots.

The Gila River offers opportunities from the Highway 85 bridge down the river to Gillespie Dam, but access to the river is limited due to private land holdings along the river edge. One access point is near the Arlington Wildlife Area Ponds.

Note: All the agricultural areas in the vicinity are privately owned, and access to hunt on a farm, dairy or any private lands needs to be garnered in writing and in advance from the landowner.

NORTHWEST VALLEY:

Not much remains open to the hunter in this portion of the valley. Surprise has annexed much of this country and has closed it to the discharge of firearms. Law enforcement there will cite violators.

Hunters who are interested in hunting this portion of the valley should reference maps to locate desert water sources and intercept doves after they feed.

NORTHEAST VALLEY:

Hunters should find some birds on Tonto National Forest, south of the Bartlett Dam Road. The U.S. Forest Service is keeping much of the land north of the Bartlett Dam Road closed to off-vehicle travel, but those who want to hike some may find good shooting, especially in the late season when it is possible to bag some quail as well.

Another spot to consider is the northeast corner of the Granite Mountain Multi-use Area (i.e. north of Granite Mountain), which borders the Tonto National Forest. Multiple pockets of private land and houses complicate the hunting (be sure to stay one-quarter mile from houses). The best access to this spot is via Gates B, C, or D, which are off 136th Street and north of Dynamite Boulevard. If you are considering hunting the multi-use area, stay at least one mile north of Dynamite Boulevard, and beware of housing developments and pockets of houses that are surrounded by the state land and are on the edges of the multiuse area.

At the McDowell Mountain Regional Park, there is only a small area open for hunting in the extreme southwest area of the park and only during the late dove season. Access is very difficult and complicated and it is essential to contact park officials before attempting to hunt there.

Hunters should understand that all of Scottsdale is off-limits to the discharge of firearms: no shot-gunning for quail or dove.

SOUTH-CENTRAL VALLEY:

The areas east of Casa Grande to Maricopa, around Stanfield and south to Arizona City and Eloy, should have plenty of doves and opportunities for sportsmen.

Check out the Stanfield area. From the intersection of Gila Bend Highway 84 and Maricopa Road 347, go north 3.25 miles on Maricopa Road 347. Turn left (west) on Barnes Road and go three miles to White Road. Hunt the east and west sides of White Road south to Meadow Green Road. From there, hunt southeast, staying on the northeast side of the Santa Rosa Canal. Areas to hunt are orchards, agriculture fields and along the canal.

Also check the Anderson Pond area: From the intersection of Cottonwood Lane and Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway 238 in Casa Grande, go northwest approximately 10 miles on Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway 238. Turn left (south) on Anderson Road and go five miles to Kortsen Road. From there, hunt the area to the southwest, bounded by Anderson Road on the east, Kortsen on the north, the Santa Rosa Wash on the west and State Highway 84 on the south. Greene Wash runs through the southern part of the area described above. Also try the west side of Santa Rosa Wash.

Farther east, on the east side of Queen Creek, hunters can look for doves south of U.S. 60. Head south on Ironwood Drive, which turns into Vineyard Road for eight miles, to Ranch Road. Turn right (west) and go 400 yards on Ranch Road. Hunt Ranch Road west for three-quarters of a mile, shooting to the south.

SOUTHEAST AND EAST VALLEY:

The areas around Chandler Heights, Queen Creek, and from Coolidge to Casa Grande should offer good hunting for both early and late dove season hunters. Look for cut grain fields, feed lots and potential watering spots, such as canals and ponds. Be careful to remain updated on land newly annexed by cities. Many traditional hunting areas have been developed into homes. Hunters should check out the following areas:

The state trust land on the north side of the dairy on Germann and Meridian is a good spot.

Note: The desert is closed to motor vehicles. Walk in to get away from people and find birds. There are also agricultural fields to the west and south of the dairy that can be hunted.

Hunters can also check out the small desert area bordered by Bella Vista Road on the north, Judd Road on the south, Attaway Road on the west and the Central Arizona Project canal on the east.

Hunters can intercept birds coming to and leaving the dairy on the south side of Arizona Farms between Cooper and Highway 79. Birds can be intercepted from the deserts to the east and to the north of the dairy.

Also look for birds around the stock tanks on the state trust lands within the Desert Wells multi-use area. Birds should show up after they feed in the mornings and evenings. The situation should be very similar in Unit 24B. Hunters can locate stock tanks and other water sources by using maps, such as those provided by the Forest Service. Hunters should also watch for doves following major washes or crossing over ridgelines. Most of 24B is located on public land – either the Tonto National Forest or Arizona State Trust Land. Written permission (a permit) is required to be on state land. If you are legally hunting, your hunting license allows you to be on state land.

Hunters should check out the state trust land in the southwestern part of the unit between Apache Junction and Queen Valley. These areas are relatively flat, have good access, and have several water sources to attract doves.
The lower desert between Queen Valley and Superior would be another area to look for hunting spots. Located on the Tonto National Forest, it also has several roads and is well watered.

TIPS FOR HUNTING DOVES:

Weed crops, which were produced by summer and winter rains, are pretty good this year and will likely have the effect of dispersing dove populations throughout desert areas.

Doves statewide saw an excellent reproduction season, so hunters should be prepared for plenty of birds. Good numbers of birds may be more difficult to locate because of the abundant food in desert areas. However, the dispersed doves provide hunters an opportunity to also disperse into the desert, especially during the late season when it is possible to have a multiple-bag expedition for doves, quail, rabbits and ducks.

SPEND TIME SCOUTING

A few reconnaissance trips can pay off in great hunting. Check agricultural areas for cut grain fields or fields that may be cut in the near future and feedlots.

Roosting sites often make for good shooting, too. Doves will typically pick densely vegetated areas for roosts. Mesquite bosques, tamarisk (salt cedar) thickets, and citrus groves are typical roosting sites.

Doves establish flight patterns and follow them, so even a field that has lots of birds using it will have a few spots that offer the best shooting. Watch tree lines, washes, canals, field corners or other structural features that birds may follow.

Late season doves frequently shift their flight patterns and feeding areas, so the more spots you have lined up, the better your chances are for consistent good hunting.

Desert waterholes can often offer spectacular evening shooting during the late season and provide a great way to combine dove and quail on a hunt.

Avoid shooting near thickly vegetated areas, such as alfalfa or cotton fields, to minimize the number of lost birds. If you do hunt someplace with thick vegetation, then try to choose your shots so birds fall into open areas. Mark downed birds and walk directly to them to minimize the chance of losing them. If the hunter stands still or sits or stands next to some sort of cover (a ditch, shrub, tree, telephone pole), birds will be less likely to shy away from them.

Wearing drab clothing will also make the hunter less conspicuous. Be sure to ask landowners before hunting on private land and pick up all spent shells and shell boxes. Wait to clean your birds until you reach home. This way, unsightly messes and trash will not be left on landowners’ property, and you will help ensure your privilege of hunting on private lands.

Reminder:

The September dove season is a half-day season only for most of Region VI (all game management units in the region except Units 23 and 24A). Legal shooting hours for adults are one-half hour before sunrise until noon; junior hunters may hunt in the afternoon and evening with shooting hours ending at sunset.

During the later hunt, which runs Nov. 23, 2007 through Jan. 6, 2008, legal shooting hours for all hunters are one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.