PHOENIX – Arizona dove hunters will be able to double their wing-shooting pleasure when the state’s “second” season begins Friday, Nov. 25.
Unlike the 15-day season that begins Sept. 1, the late season lasts 45 days and runs through Jan. 8, 2017. There still is a 15-bird daily bag limit, all of which must be mourning doves. The possession limit remains 45 mourning doves after opening day, of which no more than 15 may be taken in any one day. As always, there is an unlimited daily bag and possession limit for the invasive Eurasian collared-dove.
Here are a few things to remember to make the most of the upcoming season:
- A special license sale Wednesday through Sunday (Nov. 23-27) will allow dove hunters to purchase a short-term (one day) combination hunting and fishing license online for half-price — $7.50 for Arizona residents, $10 for non-residents. A license for youth hunters ages 10 to 17 is only $5. Children 9 and under do not need a license when accompanied by a licensed adult (two children per adult). Licenses can be purchased from any license dealer, regional department office or online at https://license.azgfd.gov/home.xhtml. NOTE: All department offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24, in observance of Thanksgiving. All offices will reopen 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 25.
- Hunters 18 and older must purchase an Arizona Migratory Bird Stamp for $5 from any license dealer, regional department office or online at https://license.azgfd.gov/home.xhtml.
- Shooting hours are 30 minutes before legal sunrise until legal sunset. On opening day in central Arizona, legal sunrise will be 7:10 a.m. Figure up to nine minutes earlier for eastern areas and nine minutes later for western areas.
- One fully feathered wing must remain attached to each harvested dove until it reaches the hunter’s home.
- Keep in mind that dove hunters are responsible for cleaning up after themselves. Shell casings (shotgun hulls) and associated debris constitute litter and must be picked up and packed out. Littering while hunting or fishing are revocable violations, and a conviction can result in the loss of hunting privileges for up to five years.
- For everything “dove,” visit https://www.azgfd.com/hunting/species/smallgame/mourningdove.
Dove hunters play an important role in conservation. Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) funds are comprised of excise taxes collected on the sale of hunting and fishing equipment (including 11 percent on ammunition), the benefit of which comes right back to Arizona for habitat improvements, shooting ranges, boating access and more.