Georgia provides the perfect setting for dove hunting! We’ve three distinctive dove seasons planned for 2024-2025. This guide offers complete information to enjoy (and remain lawful) while pursuing doves in our grand Peach State. Collect your shotgun, refer to this guide, and prepare for an exceptional avian adventure!
Soaring Through the Seasons: Georgia’s Dove Hunting Schedule
The season is strategically divided into three segments, providing ample opportunities for hunters to take flight. Here’s a breakdown of the key dates to remember:
- First Segment: Sept. 7–Oct. 13
- Second Segment: Nov. 23–Dec. 1
- Third Segment: Dec. 19–Jan. 31
Important Note: Head over to the GADNR website to stay on top of things and make sure you have the latest info before you hit the fields.
Know the Field Rules Before You Go!
So, you’re looking to chase some sleek mourning doves across Georgia’s fields this season? Here’s the key to a successful (and legal) dove hunt: understanding the difference between “baiting” and “normal agricultural practices.”
Don’t Get Baited!
Baiting is illegal and involves putting out salt, corn, wheat, or any other food source to lure doves. It doesn’t matter if you place it directly or even just “knowingly” hunt over an area that was recently baited. The area remains off-limits for dove hunting for 10 days after all traces of bait are gone. Bottom line: play fair and don’t mess with the bait game.
Hunting on Managed Fields? Here’s What’s Legal:
The good news is, there are plenty of ways to attract doves without resorting to bait. Here’s what you need to know about hunting on managed fields:
- Spring/Early Summer Plantings: This is the most common scenario. You can hunt over fields that were manipulated (mowed, disced, etc.) months before dove season. Think of it as advance planning to create a dove buffet!
- Fallow Fields: Hunting over these natural vegetation fields is perfectly legal.
- Late Summer/Fall Plantings: As long as the planting follows the recommendations of the UGA Cooperative Extension Service (think proper planting dates and methods, no concentrated grain piles), you’re good to go. For example, planting small grains like wheat or rye in late summer is okay, but top-sowing them without covering the seeds is a no-no.
What about Specific Crops?
Doves love a good grain spread. Planting things like browntop millet, dove proso millet, sunflowers, corn, and grain sorghum well before dove season will keep them happy. Confused about planting times? The Georgia DNR has a handy chart to help you out.
Other Regulations
- Baiting is a big no-no: You can’t hunt doves in areas that have been baited with salt, corn, wheat, or anything else that might attract them. The area is off-limits for 10 days even after all traces of bait are gone.
- Hunting seasons are based on national surveys: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sets the dove hunting seasons for Georgia based on annual surveys to keep the dove population healthy.
- Public vs. Private Land: You can hunt doves on private land with permission from the landowner. Public lands also offer opportunities, but some Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) have specific rules, so be sure to check before you go.
- Gotta have your licenses: A Georgia hunting license and Migratory Bird Stamp are mandatory for dove hunting.
- Shotguns only, with limitations: Shotguns are the only firearm allowed for dove hunting, and they must be plugged to hold no more than 3 shells. Shot size must be #2 or smaller.
License Costs
Dove hunting in Georgia requires a hunting license. Here’s a breakdown of the relevant licenses and fees:
- Resident Hunting License: $15 annually or $20 for a one-day license.
- Non-Resident Hunting License: $100 annually or $30 for a one-day license.
- GA Waterfowl and Migratory Bird License: $5 annually (required for dove hunting). This license is free for some residents with other hunting licenses.
There are also sportsman licenses that cover hunting and fishing. These are not required for dove hunting, but may be a good option if you plan to do both.
Unveiling the Fields: Popular Dove Locations in Georgia
While opportunities exist throughout Georgia, some areas consistently attract higher concentrations of birds. Here’s a glimpse into a few popular locations:
- South Georgia: This region, particularly the agricultural areas around Tifton, Moultrie, and Albany, offers vast fields and abundant food sources, making it a dove hotspot.
- Central Georgia: The Macon and Columbus areas boast a mix of agricultural land and natural habitats, providing suitable grounds.
- Coastal Georgia: Don’t dismiss the coast! Fields near rice paddies and other agricultural areas along the Georgia coast can be productive for taking doves, especially during migration periods.
Remember, scouting is key. Research wildlife management areas (WMAs) and public hunting lands near your desired location. Public lands often require specific permits, so ensure you obtain the necessary permissions before heading out.
FAQs
Q: Can I bring my pet hunting dog to chase doves?
A: Unfortunately, dove hunting is for shotguns only. Canine companions are great for many types of hunting, but dove hunting is best suited for solo or small-group stalks where dogs might spook the birds.
Q: My friend mowed down a big patch of sunflowers in his field. Is it okay to hunt doves over it now?
A: Maybe! It depends on when he mowed. If it was recently as part of a normal crop rotation, that’s okay. However, if he mowed specifically to attract doves for hunting just before the season, that would be considered baiting and is illegal.
Q: I found a leg band on a dove I harvested. What do I do?
A: This dove is part of a population study. Report the band information online at https://www.usgs.gov/labs/bird-banding-laboratory/science/report-a-band. You’re helping researchers track dove populations!
Q: What if I see someone hunting doves way before sunrise?
A: Dove hunting hours are statewide, starting from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. You can report poaching violations anonymously through the Georgia DNR Ranger Hotline. They offer a reward program too! So bust those cheaters and keep Georgia’s dove hunting fair for everyone.
Q: My friend offered me some leftover dove meat. Can I take it?
A: Sharing the spoils of the hunt is a nice gesture, but there are some rules. In Georgia, migratory birds like doves cannot be gifted or sold. However, you can legally accept properly tagged dove meat from another hunter, as long as it’s within the daily bag limit.
