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Show I Dove, Pigeon Hunt Will 1 Open in Utah on Monday Utah bird hunters will go afield for their first season this year on Monday when mourning dove and band-tailed I state. pigeon hunting begin in the Some 30,000 dove hunters are expected, while the band-tailed pigeon draws a small number of .-V - - : sportsmen. Last year over 34,000 dove hunters took 306,000 doves, Utah's second highest harvest on record. The hunts will continue through Sept. 30. Division of Wildlife Resources Upland Game Supervisor Darrell Nish reports dove populations in the state have been on the upswing the last two years, and hunting should be good. The late spring this year did cause some mortality which may affect hunting in south central Utah Weather between now and the opener, however, will be the big factor influencing success on the dove hunt. "If stormy weather doesn't cause the birds to migrate south more rapidly than normal, there is a potential for good dove hunting this year," said Nish. Bag limit for doves is 10 daily, 20 possession; and hunting will be statewide. Band-tailed pigeon hunters must obtain a special free permit which is available from all Division offices. Areas open for hunting pigeons are Beaver, Garfield, Grand, Iron, Kane, JPiute, San Juan, Sevier, Washington and Wayne counties. Nish notes success is most likely for the hunter who either finds the pigeons' feeding grounds or roosting areas. The birds generally loaf in their 5 5 t ' I ' J 1 roosting area during the day, then move to feedmg grounds. Oak areas where acorns can be found or croplands adjacent to mountain areas are best, he added. Southern Regional Game Manager Floyd Coles reports, "There is a better crop of pigeons this year Hunters who go afield should have a good chance of bagging the birds." Pigeon bag limits are five daily, ten possession. He pointed to Washington County as the beet area to visit, particularly in the Kolob Mountain area and in canyons in and around the town of New Harmony. Additionally, concentrations of pigeons have been noted in the Salina Canyon area In Sevier County. The primary pigeon range in southeastern Utah is found on the LaSal and Blue mountains. Hunters are reminded to respect private property by asking permission to enter private lands and to keep off lands posted "No Trespassing." |