Dove season

[Lon371]

 Dove season opens on September 1. Anyone have plans to hunt?
 I have this coming week off and am going to attempt to hunt Patoka Lake a couple times
 
Lonny

[Bullseye]

I need to go see my buddy down the road.  They cut their sillage a couple of weeks ago.  Hopefully their will be some doves in the field.

[schoolmaster]

My middle son got drawn for Salamonie and is taking the ole man along.

[parson48]

If I understand correctly, state properties require steel shot this year.

[Lon371]

 Parson48
  I will check into that. I must have missed it. Have never shot steel shot, anything special or things to look for?
 
Lonny
 
 UPDATE:  The only thing in the manual I can find is below http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2713.htm
 
 
 Non-Toxic Shot  Hunters are required to use approved nontoxic shot while hunting all waterfowl. As of this printing, non-toxic shots currently approved for use by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are bismuth-tin, tungsten-iron (two types), tungsten-polymer, tungsten-matrix, tungsten-bronze, tungsten-tin-bismuth, tungsten-tin-iron-nickel, tungsten-nickel-iron, tungsten-iron-copper-nickel, tungsten-tin-iron and steel shot. Copper-plated, zinc chromate-plated, 2 zinc chloride-plated and nickel-plated steel shot is approved as long as the plating represents less than one percent of the shot’s weight. Lead shot plated with copper, nickel or other material does not qualify. It is illegal to possess shells loaded with anything other than approved nontoxic shot while hunting ducks, geese and coots anywhere in the state. Additional shot restrictions may be in place at select state fish and wildlife areas. For details, check with the property where you plan to hunt.
 
 If anyone has more information I would appreciate it.
 
 Thanks
Lonny

[Bullseye]

I saw am e-mail the other day from the DNR about dove hunting and I am pretty sure it said you must use non-toxic on DNR properties.  I will try to remember to pull it out of the deleted folder Thursday and let you know.

[Lon371]

 I appreciate it.
 
Thanks
Lonny

[Old Syko]

I think you're going to find there is no lead shot restriction other than through federal regulation and that only pertains to certain waterfowl and migratory birds other than dove.  Indiana regs clearly state dove are less restricted than waterfowl and then give you a link to the more restrictive federal regulations.  All other small game such as rabbit, squirrel, quail and dove may still be taken with lead shot.


I assure you, if you guys who enjoy hunting Indiana don't stand up and let your voices be heard you're going to very soon see more restrictions of lead use.  We just this year dodged a bullet with the lead idiots who wanted deer hunting to be lead free and it would have happened if a small group hadn't taken the necessary action to block them.  Instead of yipping about restrictions on a forum, I suggest you start meeting with lawmakers before it's too late.  Most of these folks don't have a clue but will listen to the loudest voice so SPEAK UP.

[6x6 elk]

I was drawn for Kingsbury FWA, and they did remark  Non-Toxic Shot in all DNR  fish and wildlife areas.

[schoolmaster]

Definitely steel on the Salamonie.

[parson48]

http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-2010_Early_Migratory_Regs.pdf

If you read thoroughly the part dealing with non-toxic shot, you'll find that all state areas require it for dove, as well as waterfowl.

Really have to look hard to find info sometimes.

[Lon371]

 Almost makes you wonder if they want to catch someone using lead   Why not just post it in the guide, where it list critter seasons. Noooo lets hide it.
 
Lonny

[Lon371]

 Well after a long(2 week) internet search of not finding anything. I went to Patoka Lake hunting areas. Where I hunted over the sunflower fields several years ago.   
 
 They are no longer sunflower fields. They are big weed patches. Guess I do not have to worry about non toxic shot . Guess I will be making a few calls to the farmers in the area and see what I can scrounge for Doves closer to home.
 
Lonny

[Bullseye]

I see that the answer about non-toxic shot on DNR properties was answered before I posted the e-mail from the DNR (I have a really bad memory), but thought I would go ahead and post anyway.  I agree, not sure why they make it so hard to find.  My wife works for the Hoosier National Forest and the DNR sends information e-mails to them every now and then which is where this came from.
 
Indiana DNR Fish and Wildlife
Dove season is around the corner
 

Mourning dove hunting season opens statewide on Thursday, Sept. 1, and continues through Oct. 16.

Dove season reopens with the start of the upland small-game season on Friday, Nov. 4 and conclude on Nov. 27. Hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. The daily bag limit is 15 with a possession limit of 30.


“Most mourning doves are harvested in September but great dove hunting can be found later in the season with a little scouting,” said Budd Veverka, DNR’s farmland game research biologist. “Looking at data from the past five years, I would expect to see approximately 13,000 dove hunters harvest nearly 227,000 mourning doves in 2011.

 

“Doves are found throughout the state, but will concentrate in areas associated with farming,” according to Veverka. “Recently harvested grain fields with water nearby are typically hotspots for dove hunting.”

 

Veverka also added a few other tips.

 

”Remember to respect property rights and get permission, clean up spent shells, and drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration,” he said.

 

To hunt mourning doves, Indiana residents must purchase an annual hunting license for $17, or hunt/fish combo for $25, and the Game Bird Habitat Stamp for $6.75. Nonresidents must also purchase the game bird habitat stamp in addition to the $80 annual nonresident hunting license or the $31 five-day nonresident hunting license.

 

Youth 17 and younger who are Indiana residents can get a youth consolidated hunt/trap license, which includes all Indiana Stamp privileges (including the Game Bird Habitat Stamp). Federal regulations require all licensed dove hunters (including lifetime license holders) to register with the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) and carry proof of registration while hunting. HIP registration is free and available at http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3567.htm <blockedhttp://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTEwODI5LjI2NTQyNTEmbWVzc2FnZWlkPU1EQi1QUkQtQlVMLTIwMTEwODI5LjI2NTQyNTEmZGF0YWJhc2VpZD0xMDAxJnNlcmlhbD0xMjc3MDEyMTE3JmVtYWlsaWQ9cmViZWNjYWJhZGVAZnMuZmVkLnVzJnVzZXJpZD1yZWJlY2NhYmFkZUBmcy5mZWQudXMmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&100&&&http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3567.htm>  or by calling 1-866-671-4499.

 

Hunters using state fish & wildlife areas or state-owned reservoirs are required to use non-toxic shot when hunting mourning doves. Additionally, hunters may not hunt migratory birds with a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells (i.e., shotgun must be “plugged”).

 

More than a thousand mourning doves are banded with leg bands each summer in Indiana to determine mourning dove harvest rates, estimate annual survival, and provide information on the geographical distribution of the harvest. Information on dove survival and harvest rates is key to understanding the effects of annual hunting regulations on mourning dove populations. If you harvest a banded bird, you can report it by calling 1-800-327-BAND (2263) or at www.reportband.gov <blockedhttp://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=bWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTEwODI5LjI2NTQyNTEmbWVzc2FnZWlkPU1EQi1QUkQtQlVMLTIwMTEwODI5LjI2NTQyNTEmZGF0YWJhc2VpZD0xMDAxJnNlcmlhbD0xMjc3MDEyMTE3JmVtYWlsaWQ9cmViZWNjYWJhZGVAZnMuZmVkLnVzJnVzZXJpZD1yZWJlY2NhYmFkZUBmcy5mZWQudXMmZmw9JmV4dHJhPU11bHRpdmFyaWF0ZUlkPSYmJg==&&&101&&&http://www.reportband.gov/> . Hunters may keep any bands they recover.
 

[Lon371]

 Bullseye
  Thanks for posting.  After doing some scouting around our area yesterday, pretty much decided I am probably not going to do much Dove hunting for now. The crops are not coming out of the fields for a few more weeks, some longer. We did notice a few more than normal on powerlines through out the country side.
 
 On the brightside, we did help a Hawk yesterday. Driving down a country road we seen some crows in the middle of the road. When we got closer, we noticed a lighter colored bird in the middle of the crows. They were beating up a Hawk! So we eased up as the crows dispersed, we stopped and watched the Hawk still in the road. It finally got it together and took off in a different direction of the crows. Crows didn't fly far, so we just creeped along(hoping to spook them) it worked and they continued down the road away from where the Hawk was. Hopefully it was able to get to safer area.
 
Lonny

[Hank in Indiana]

I think that Hardy Lake had some sunflowers in the past. You might check there.
 

Well after a long(2 week) internet search of not finding anything. I went to Patoka Lake hunting areas. Where I hunted over the sunflower fields several years ago.   
 
 They are no longer sunflower fields. They are big weed patches. Guess I do not have to worry about non toxic shot . Guess I will be making a few calls to the farmers in the area and see what I can scrounge for Doves closer to home.
 
Lonny

[Lon371]

 Thanks Hank, I will check Hardy out.
 
Lonny