COLUMBUS, OH - The most notable change for Ohio's 2002 dove season, which begins September 1, is an increase in the daily bag limit to 15 birds, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The possession limit also increases from 24 to 30 birds.
An estimated four to five million mourning doves migrate through Ohio each fall, with peak migration occurring during September. State wildlife biologists said recent survey data show Ohios dove population is up 16 percent from last year. The average life expectancy of a mourning dove is 12 to 18 months.
We opted to provide Ohio's hunters with an increased bag limit as opposed to a longer season, said Mike Budzik, chief of ODNR's Division of Wildlife. An increased limit is a greater benefit to hunters because of the short period of time when large numbers of migrating doves are here, especially in northern Ohio. This provides Ohios dove hunters with 60 days of prime hunting opportunities for what we expect to be a great dove season.
Legal hunting hours for the first ten days of the Ohio dove season are noon to sunset on all public hunting areas. However, on private lands, legal dove hunting hours remain sunrise to sunset during the entire season.
From September 11 through the end of the season, legal hunting hours for dove on public and private lands are sunrise to sunset. Ohios dove hunting season is split into two segments and will be open statewide September 1 through October 20, and November 21-30. Rail, moorhen, snipe and special early Canada goose hunting seasons in Ohio also begin September 1.
This year, for the first time, Sunday hunting on private land will not be restricted by acreage size requirements. Earlier this year Governor Bob Taft signed into law a bill which removed private land restrictions for hunting on Sundays during hunting seasons in Ohio. Public land was already open to Sunday hunting with no restrictions.
Ranging from Canada to Mexico, the mourning dove is the most popular, abundant and widely distributed gamebird in North America. The birds fast flight, quick changes in direction, and alert nature make it among the most challenging gamebirds to hunt.
The most successful dove hunters begin their season by scouting possible hunting areas in late August and early September. Likely hot spots include recently harvested corn, hay or wheat fields. Hunters should position themselves along a fencerow or near other field cover such as brushpiles or small trees in these types of fields.
Hunters must possess a valid Ohio hunting license and HIP (Harvest Information Program) endorsement, and shotguns must be capable of holding not more than three shot-shells to hunt mourning doves.
Dove hunting opportunities can be found on a number of public hunting areas owned and managed by the ODNR Division of Wildlife. Many of these public hunting areas have proven to provide outstanding dove hunter success rates. For a list of dove hunting areas on public land, contact the wildlife district offices in Akron, Athens, Columbus, Findlay, and Xenia, or call the wildlife divisions toll-free information line at 1-800-WILDLIFE.