AGFC Prepares Dove Fields for Opening Weekend
Arkansas dove hunters are in for a treat as the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) has prepared its dove fields for the opening weekend of the 2024-25 dove season. This year’s season runs from September 7 to October 27 and December 8 to January 15, 2025. The commission has ensured that the fields on wildlife management areas are ready to provide great hunting opportunities.
Local AGFC staff in east Arkansas report good conditions and doves already using the prepared fields. To attract these birds, the AGFC has employed a combination of strategies, including disking and seeding winter wheat and conducting growing season burns on some fields. These methods expose a lot of seed and attract doves.
Private Land Hunting Opportunities
In addition to the AGFC-managed fields, there are opportunities to hunt on private land. The commission has partnered with landowners to provide exclusive dove hunting opportunities. These private land hunts are managed through a permit system, and applications were accepted from August 1 to 15. Seven privately owned fields, each with a different type of seed crop, were available for the permit-based hunts.
The AGFC also reminds hunters that, after the permit hunt period, these private fields will be open on a first-come, first-served basis. This arrangement offers a broader opportunity for the public to enjoy dove hunting across various habitats.
Season Details and Reminders
– Season Dates: September 7-October 27 and December 8, 2024-January 15, 2025
– Daily Bag Limit: 15 dove per hunter
– Possession Limit: 45 dove
– No Limit: Eurasian collared-dove
– Steel Shot Requirement: All migratory bird hunting must be done with non-toxic shot.
It is essential for hunters 16 and older to have a valid Arkansas hunting license and registration with the Harvest Information Program (HIP). Both licenses and HIP registration can be obtained at the AGFC website.
