OCR Text |
Show MOURNING DOVE OPENER SATURDAY The first of this year's fall upland up-land game hunts begins Saturday, Satur-day, September 1, when mourning mourn-ing dove season opens for a 30-day 30-day stint. Division of Wildlife Resources small game biologist Darrel Nish said that, barring bad weather, this year's hunt should be comparable to last year's when more than 238,000 doves were harcested. "Fair weather will keep the doves in the state longer than if we have a cold weather snap just before the season," Nish explained. He added that doves will be more widely scattered than in other years because cf better forage conditions brought on by greater precipitation earlier earl-ier this year.. Surveys indicate breeding populations are near average numbers. Best areas to hunt are range-lands range-lands bordering dry farm areas, said Nish, and, inversely, poorest poor-est areas are irrigated croplands. Hunters are reminded that plugged shotguns allowing space for no more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined com-bined are required. Strict shooting hours are specified spec-ified by law and are listed in the proclamation. Sportsmen should also read the new tresspass law in the proclamation. Small game licenses cost $2.50 for residents 12 through 15, $4.50 for residents 16 and older, and $20 for nonresidents 12 and older. |