The Georgia dove hunting season opens Sept. 2, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division (WRD).
“The anticipation for the fall hunting season really takes off on the opening day of dove-hunting season in Georgia and it is another great opportunity to take someone new with you into the field,” WRD Wildlife Biologist Kara Nitschke said.
“And be sure to visit a public dove field this year,” she added. “These fields, whether found on a Wildlife Management Area or a Voluntary Public Access area, receive dedicated preparation to attract as many doves as possible.”
The official 2023-24 dove season hunting dates are Sept. 2 to Oct. 8, Nov. 18 to 26, and Dec. 19 to Jan. 31. Statewide shooting hours for all dove seasons are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Dove Season Tips and Information:
• Dove field forecast: The dove field forecast (GeorgiaWildlife.com/ hunting/dove) identifies available crops and anticipated hunting conditions for opening day.
• Take the dove harvest survey: In 2023, if you hunt on a public dove field, consider taking the Georgia DNR Dove Harvest Survey (GeorgiaWildlife.com/ hunting/dove) to provide feedback on your hunt experience.
• Report banded doves: In 2003, the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in cooperation with several states, including Georgia, initiated an ongoing dove banding project. Hunters can participate in this conservation effort by examining harvested doves for leg bands and reporting band numbers (reportband.gov) to the USFWS.
• Private field plans? Make certain the field is legal: See the online brochure, “Dove Hunting and Agricultural Practices in Georgia” (GeorgiaWildlife.com/ migratory-bird-info).
• Licenses required: All hunters 16 and older must have a hunting license and a Georgia Migratory Bird license. Hunters may purchase licenses online (GoOutdoorsGeorgia. com), by phone at 800-366-2661, or at license vendor locations (list of vendors also available online).
Additionally, before selecting a dove field to visit this year, Georgia WRD reminds hunters that most have to complete a hunter education course. Hunters can take the course online or take part in a classroom course.
“We want to set people up for hunter-education success before they head to the dove field or the hunting stand, and that means working with busy schedules and different learning styles,” WRD Hunter Development Program Manager Jennifer Davison said.
“For example, if you only have a limited amount of time available, then the online course options may work for you, while attending an in-person instructive class may work for others.”
The five available online courses require a fee (from $19.95 to $49.95 each), but all are “pass or don’t pay” courses.
Fees for these courses are charged by and collected by the independent course developer. DNR classroom courses are free of charge.
Completion of a hunter education course is required for any person born on or after Jan. 1, 1961, who:
• Purchases a season hunting license in Georgia;
• Is at least 12 years old and hunts without adult supervision; or
• Hunts big game (deer, turkey, bear) in a wildlife management area.
The only exceptions to the above include any person who:
• Purchases a short-term hunting license, i.e., anything less than annual duration (as opposed to a season license); or
• Is hunting on his or her own land or is a dependent hunting on the land of his or her own parents or legal guardians?
For more information on dove hunting in Georgia, visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/ migratory-bird-info. To learn more about hunter education in Georgia, see GeorgiaWildlife.com/ hunting/huntereducation or call 706-557-3355.