Information provided by California Department of Fish and Wildlife

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) said California’s first dove hunting season opened Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 15. That includes Mourning dove, white-winged dove, spotted dove and ringed turtle dove. The second season is from Nov. 12 through Dec. 26.

The release said mourning dove and white-winged dove have a daily bag limit of 15, up to 10 of which may be white-winged dove. The possession limit is triple the daily bag limit. There are no limits on spotted and ringed turtle doves. Hunting for Eurasian collared-dove is open year-round and there is no bag or possession limit. A dove identification guide (PDF) can be found on the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) website.

“Hunters are reminded that nonlead ammunition is required for hunting doves and taking wildlife anywhere in California with a firearm,” the release said.

It added that numerous dove hunting opportunities are available to the public for the first dove season at CDFW wildlife areas throughout the state. These areas include Upper Butte Basin, Gray Lodge, Yolo Bypass, North Grasslands, Los Banos and Imperial Valley wildlife areas, and Palo Verde Ecological Reserve. Many of these areas have been planted with food crops to attract and hold doves. Maps are available at some check station locations or online. Entry procedures vary from area to area and hunters are advised to call ahead in preparing for their hunt. Portions of Los Banos and North Grasslands wildlife areas are restricted to special permit holders until noon on Sept. 1, after which they will open to public hunting for the remainder of the first season.

Additional public dove hunting opportunities are offered through CDFW’s Upland Game Wild Bird Hunts and SHARE programs. Dove hunting is considered a great starting point for new hunters. It’s often the first hunting season available to newly licensed hunters who completed their hunter education requirements in the off season. There is very little equipment needed, typically lots of fast wing-shooting action, camaraderie and plenty of public land hunting opportunities.

Fish and Wildlife said minimum hunting requirements are a valid hunting license and upland game bird validation (validation not required for Junior Hunting License holders), good footwear, a shotgun of almost any gauge, nonlead shotgun shells, a cooler with ice to store your birds and plenty of water for the typically hot weather. For more information and resources on dove hunting, CDFW’s Advanced Hunter Education program has videos to help get you started and CDFW’s R3 program has additional resources and videos available as well.

“Mourning doves favor dry environments and can exploit many food types and sources,” the release said. “Most successful dove hunters will position themselves near paths to and from roost sites, water, food sources or gravel. Dove movement is most frequent in the early mornings and late evenings when they are flying from and to their roost sites, however late morning to early afternoon can still provide opportunities. Hunters should scout dove activity in the area a few times prior to hunting.”

As a dove hunter, you have a chance of encountering a banded dove. As of Aug. 15, CDFW staff and volunteers have banded more than 1,100 doves throughout California. If you harvest a banded dove, please report the band to the U.S. Geological Survey (www.reportband.gov) to help further dove research.

CDFW’s Wildlife Health Lab recently confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Eurasian H5N1 Avian Influenza in three wild birds found in Colusa and Glenn counties. If you suspect a dove to be infected with avian influenza or Trichomonas, please contact CDFW’s Wildlife Health Lab by email or phone 916-358-2790.

Important laws and regulations to consider include the following:

“It is the responsibility of every hunter to know and follow all laws,” the release said.

The release said safety is the most important part of any hunting adventure and that safety glasses are a simple way to protect the eyes and are available in many shades for hunting in all types of lighting situations. Ear protection is also strongly recommended.

In their release the Department cautions that weather throughout the state on September 1 is expected to be hot and dry. It urges hunters to drink plenty of fluids, wear sun protection and have a plan in case of an accident.

Temperatures to likely exceed 100 degrees.

Roadway excavation and potholing for underground construction will start at The Alameda, and continuing in an eastbound direction.

Temperatures in the 100s could result in substantial unplanned outage of PG&E Services.