New Rules With Dove Hunting

Dove hunting season started September 2nd and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is reminding dove hunters of a change in the hunting license this year.

Dove hunters 16 years of age and older must now possess a Georgia hunting license and a Georgia Migratory Bird Stamp.

The Georgia Migratory Bird Stamp is required for ALL migratory bird hunters (even if a hunting license is not required.

The stamp is how Georgia participates in the federal Harvest Information Program (HIP), but is only valid for a single season (March to February).

Hunters must obtain a new Georgia Migratory Bird Stamp each season.

DNR Law Enforcement Officer Craig Fulghum says dove hunting is a great event for young hunters.

Since the season opened last Saturday DNR Law Enforcement officers have already caught hunters taking more birds than the state quota and baiting doves.

According to the Georgia DNR Facebook page, last Saturday Ranger Chris Hall and Cpl. Eddie Tompkins located a baited dove field.

45 illegally taken doves were seized and given to a family in the community and citations were issued.

Hunting dove over bait is a violation of both state and federal law.

In another incident this week, RFC Clint Jarriel and RFC Bobby Sanders were patrolling for dove hunting activity when they encountered several hunters in a corn and sunflower field.

While the field was prepared properly several hunters were charged with taking over the limit as well as hunting without a license.

The illegally taken doves were confiscated and donated to a needy family.