The outlook for dove hunting season is rosy, thanks to fields of sunflowers thriving on public land in Northwest Arkansas that is managed for doves. Dove season opens Sept. 6.
There are two public areas for dove hunting and at least one pay-to-hunt operation in the region. Good numbers of doves are being seen this week at all three.
Dove Season
Dove hunting season is open Sept. 6-Oct. 25 and Dec. 20-Jan. 8.
Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. The daily limit is 15 mourning doves. There is no limit on the Eurasion Collared Dove.
Source: Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
One public spot is the Wedington small game area of the Ozark National Forest near Siloam Springs. Mark Hutchings, regional wildlife biologist with the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, said the network of fields were planted in sunflowers that are growing well.
Hutchings said he's seen lots of doves in the area and the number is growing.
"If conditions stay dry, those birds will go to the sunflowers," Hutchings said.
To reach the area, follow U.S. 412 west from Springdale about 14 miles to Kinchloe Road. Turn left on Kinchloe Road. Go 1.3 miles, then turn right on Forest Road 1754. The fields start in about 0.3 miles.
The other public-land destination in Northwest Arkansas is the McIlroy Madison County Wildlife Management Area north of Huntsville. Two fields totaling about 30 acres were planted in sunflowers. The fields "look real good," Hutchings said. Doves have flocked to the area.
The fields are located near the wildlife management area office off Arkansas 23 about 12 miles north of Huntsville.
A pay-to-shoot dove hunt has taken place at Razorback Farms near Lowell off and on for 21 years, said Gerald Tate, hunt manager. The hunt takes place on an 80-acre field that can accommodate 50 to 60 hunters, Tate said.
Cost is $100 per person for opening morning, Sept. 6, and $50 per person after that. Dove hunting will take place Saturdays and Sundays in September. Hours are from legal shooting time until 10 a.m.
Wheat is planted in the field as part of the farm's regular operation. Tate said the wheat sprouts around the end of September. There's not much for doves to eat after that and they leave.
Tate asks hunters to get with him before opening day to sign a release form and pay the fee so they can go directly to the field. Call Tate at 479-263-4502. Hunters should bring eye protection, he said.
The dove hunt is big with families, Tate said. "We've got two kids who started hunting here as soon as they were big enough to hold a gun. Now one is 19 and the other is 17," Tate said.
Hunters are welcome to bring retriever dogs. "For a lot of them that's half the reason they come, to get their dogs some work," Tate said.
The outlook is good for opening day.
"Right now we're seeing lots of doves. It's looking real good," Tate said.
Outdoors on 08/28/2014