Dove delay preserves full weekend of fun

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansans gearing up for the state’s kickoff to hunting seasons might have noticed that the Sept. 7 opening day doesn’t fall on Labor Day Weekend, which is typically associated with the event. The break from the federal holiday is a matter of unfortunate timing, so to speak.

Each year, federal migratory bird frameworks dictate that dove seasons in the Central Management Unit (migration corridors similar to flyways) may not begin before Sept. 1 and must conclude by Jan. 15. Labor Day, which began in 1882 and became a federal holiday in 1894 is annually scheduled for the first Monday in September, regardless of the calendar date.

Here’s where the phenomenon known as “calendar creep” comes into effect. This year (and next year), Labor Day Weekend will actually begin at the end of August, preceding the first available date for dove season.

During these years the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has to decide whether to open the season on Sunday, cutting the weekend short, or to postpone the opening day to the following weekend.

In 2019, the AGFC was faced with this decision and decided on the Sunday opening day. Staff and commissioners fielded many calls from the public that many people were not able to take advantage of the Labor Day holiday from work, which resulted in their traditional opening weekend of dove season becoming a single-day hunt.

With this in mind, Commissioners and staff agreed that postponing the season until Sept. 7 allowed more opportunities for all Arkansans to enjoy a full weekend of dove hunting unpressured birds during the season opener.

Luckily this issue only presents itself two out of every seven years, notwithstanding shifts caused by leap year. Unfortunately, next year will see the same delay because Sept. 1 falls on Labor Day itself, leaving no room for a full weekend of fast flights and delicious doves.