Apply for an Arkansas dove hunt Aug. 1-15

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will accept applications for one of seven permit-based dove-hunting locations Aug. 1-15.

Every September, hunters get excited to start their hunting season with a blast. Dove fly through the state during annual migrations, presenting one of the most difficult wingshooting targets available in The Natural State, prompting hunts and tailgating scenes across the state rivaling those found in Fayetteville during a home football game. The AGFC has some fields throughout the state that are managed to offer some hunting opportunity, but most AGFC-owned areas are forested and not set up for shooting doves, a bird found primarily in the open habitat of agricultural fields.

Michelle Furr, who coordinates many of the private land programs through the AGFC Private Lands Habitat Division, says that this unofficial kickoff to fall hunting seasons can be difficult for many Arkansans to enjoy.

“It takes at least 10 acres or so to even start a dove field, and a landowner pretty much has to set aside that property and put in some agricultural effort to get sunflowers or other seed-producing plants to come up and keep doves in the area,” Furr said. “A lot of Arkansans who don’t own that much land or know someone who does really are only left with the options of a few pay-to-hunt fields they may find or public land.”

Furr says the three private land hunting areas available through the AGFC this year will have hunts available during the first three Saturdays of September. They were all planted in sunflowers, but the AGFC and landowner had to pivot on one location’s habitat condition.

“The field in Little River County was hit hard by the rains in July and the sunflowers didn’t turn out as well as hoped, but the landowner has committed to getting out there and top sowing wheat the week before the hunt to offer good hunting that is well within the regulations concerning allowed farming practices on that 60-acre field,” Furr said.

In addition to the three private land fields, the following AGFC wildlife management areas will have special permit hunts for the first Saturday and Sunday of dove season: Frog Bayou WMA, Dave Donaldson Black River WMA, Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA and Camp Robinson Special Use Area

WMA dove fields will be open on a first-come, first-served basis after opening weekend concludes. Many other dove fields will be open on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the season, but the permit fields are managed through the draw format to offer less pressure for those who are lucky enough to draw.

Applications for all fields require a $5 processing fee. Applicants may choose a first and second choice for the day and field they want to hunt. Permit winners will be notified after the drawing and will be emailed detailed maps and directions to their fields. Hunters may bring one hunting partner with them to enjoy the hunt, but both hunters must hunt together at a shooting station. No other hunting is allowed on these fields. No scouting or access to the private land fields will be allowed outside of the hunt day drawn. Fields on WMAs remain open for scouting.

The 2024-25 Arkansas Dove Season is Sept. 7-Oct. 27, 2024 and Dec. 8, 2024-Jan.15, 2025. The daily bag limit for mourning dove and white-winged dove is 15, with a possession limit of 45. There is no daily bag limit or possession limit for Eurasian collared-dove.

Visit www.agfc.com/licenses to apply for a special dove hunting permit.

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CUTLINES:

HUNTER
Arkansas dove season opens Sept. 7, but hunters can apply for special opportunities to hunt on a few private fields Aug. 1-15 at agfc.com.

SUNFLOWERS
Two of the three private land dove fields have excellent sunflower crops to hunt, while the third will be top sown with wheat before the hunt to stabilize the soil and offer good hunting opportunities.