Dove

2012-2013 Season

South

Sept. 1-9, Oct. 13 - Nov. 25 and Dec. 22 - Jan. 7

North

Sept. 1-16, Oct. 6 - Nov. 4 and Dec. 15 - Jan. 7

Bag Limit

Mourning and white-winged doves and fully dressed Eurasian collared- and ringed turtle-doves: Daily bag limit 15 in aggregate, Possession 30 in aggregate, but note: there is no bag limit on Eurasian collared-doves or ringed turtle-doves provided that a fully feathered wing and head remain attached to the carcass of the bird. Fully dressed Eurasian-collared doves and ringed-turtle doves (those without a fully feathered wing and head naturally attached to the carcass) shall be included in the aggregate bag.

2012- 2013 Public Dove Hunting Opportunities

Wildlife Management Areas

WMA Dove Fields 2012

Bayou Pierre WMA, northwest Red River Parish

30 acres planted in wheat and 25 acres in sunflower. Planted fields are surrounded by open field in native vegetation, open field is 100 acres plus. Open to all.

Big Colewa WMA, West Carroll Parish

20 ac. sunflower

Boeuf WMA, Caldwell Parish

Elliott field – North tract 40 acres, South tract 30 acres, planted in brown-top millet

Clear Creek WMA, Vernon parish

Various clearcuts have a good goat weed (croton) response, expect good dove jump shooting

Elbow Slough WMA, southeastern Rapides Parish

Field is roughly 60 acres. Mostly planted with brown top millet. Also a little sunflower in one area. Open to all. Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays only from Sept. 1-16 and Oct. 6 - Nov. 4.

Floy McElroy WMA, Richland Parish

10 ac. sunflower & 10 ac millet. Youth only hunt on September 8 and 9. No hunting at any other time. Only youth 15 years old and under with an accompanying adult will be admitted. Only the youth may hunt. The gate on LA Hwy 137, 2 miles north of Rayville will open at 11:00 a.m. on September 8 and 9. Shooting will be allowed from 12 p.m. to sunset. No ATVs allowed.

Fort Polk WMA, Vernon parish

U.S. Forest Service dove field – 50 acres, planted in brown-top millet

Loggy Bayou WMA, Bossier Parish

Approximately 15 acre field of sunflower and sorghum mix, but mostly sunflower. Open only to youth hunters on the first day (Saturday) of the first split of dove season.

Pointe-Aux-Chenes, Lafourche Parish

70 acres – brown top and Japanese millet. Non-toxic shot only. Only open certain days and times, refer to the hunting pamphlet for exact dates and times.

Red River WMA, Concordia Parish

100 acres of native grasses mowed and plowed, native grasses produce good dove seed. The dove fields will be prepped before both the first and second splits.

Sandy Hollow WMA, Tangipahoa Parish

Sept. 1 & 8 through the end of first split. CLOSED Sept. 2-7 of first split, second and third splits are the same as outside EXCEPT youth hunt on Northern Tract during the opening day of the first segment (Sept. 1). Hunt restricted to youths 17 or younger and supervising adult who must be 18 years of age or older.

North tract – 3 fields totaling 32 acres, planted in brown-top millet

South tract – open to all hunters, 12 acres planted in brown-top millet

Sherburne WMA, Iberville/St. Martin Parishes

· 63 acres brown-top millet.

West Bay WMA, Allen parish

Various clearcuts have a good goat weed (croton) response, expect good dove jump shooting

For more information on state Wildlife Management Areas:

http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wma [3]

For specifics on the current dove situation, you should contact the nearest department office to the dove fields.

Minden: 318-371-3050

Monroe: 318-343-4044

Pineville: 318-487-5885

Lake Charles: 337-491-2575

Opelousas: 337-948-0255

Hammond: 985-543-4777

Dove Lease Fields

Public Dove Field Leases for Hunting September 1, 2012

In addition to the dove hunting opportunities available on Wildlife Management Areas, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has leased fields from private landowners for 1 day of hunting (September 1^st). These areas are available for opening day (September 1, 2012) only.

The following rules will apply to all leased fields:

1. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.

2. Shot larger than size 7 ½ is prohibited (size 7 ½ , 8, 9 are allowed)

3. All trash - including shell hulls - must be picked-up.

4. Only legal doves may be taken.

5. All hunters must have a daily permit as well as appropriate hunting license with HIP certification; note, hunters under 16 years of age do not need HIP certification. The daily permit is available at the field and will be issued on a first-come first-served basis. HIP certifications are available from hunting license vendors. If hunters have formed a line prior to the time permits are issued, permits will then be issued to those in line in order of arrival.

6. There is a $10.00 fee per hunter, 16 years of age and older. Cash or check. Hunters under 16 will be admitted free, but they must check-in and have a permit.

7. When a predetermined number of hunters are admitted, the field will be closed. Additional hunters may be admitted when someone leaves the field and surrenders his/her permit. Use of vehicles, including ATV’s, may be restricted and will vary from field to field. Check with Department personnel about restrictions when you check-in.

8. These leased fields are open to the public September 1^st only. Entrance at any other time is trespassing.

These leased fields have been made available through the cooperation of the landowners. Future access to these fields and other private property is dependent on the conduct of the hunters using these fields.

Please abide by the above regulations and hunt ethically and safely.

Dove Fields Leased for Public Hunting on September 1, 2012:

1.) Beauregard Parish, DeRidder-500 acres harvested corn and milo. Directions: Take Hwy190 West from DeRidder. The field is approximately 5 miles West of DeRidder on the North side of Hwy 190 just past Hwy 3226. Check in will be at the rice dryers. Contact Kori Legleu at 337-491-2575 x-3021 for more information. Maps will be available at the Lake Charles Office.

2.) Grant Parish - 180 acres harvested milo. Directions: 5 miles north of Boyce on La. Hwy 8. No ATV’s.

3.) Jefferson Davis Parish, Welsh-290 acre harvested rice field. Directions: Take I-10 to Exit 59 (Roanoke). Head North on Hwy 395, then turn West (left) on Blanchard Rd. Follow Blanchard Rd to Compton Rd. Field located on Southwest corner of Blanchard and Compton roads. Contact Kori Legleu at 337-491-2575 x-3021 for more information. Maps will be available at the Lake Charles Office.

4. Rapides Parish, – 90 acres harvested milo. Directions: 2 miles east of Lecompte on Hwy 457. No ATV’s.

5. Franklin Parish, - 110 acres harvested milo. East of Gilbert at the intersection of Hwy 4 and Hwy 572. No ATV’s.

Dove Hunting Zones

The following boundary divides the state into North and South dove season zones: Beginning at the Texas-Louisiana border on La. Hwy. 12; thence east along La. Hwy. 12 to its intersection with U.S. Hwy. 190; thence east along U.S. Hwy. 190 to its intersection with Interstate 12; thence east along I-12 to its intersection with Interstate 10; then east along I-10 to the Mississippi state line.