FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Aug. 22, 2005

CONTACT: Andy Alban, 773-5906

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota’s dove season opens at sunrise on Thursday, Sept. 1, and not only is dove season the first fall bird hunting season to open, it is also a season with unique regulations.

"Mourning doves have a special status in South Dakota, mainly for being a migratory game bird and because regulations are necessary to prevent damage to electrical and phone lines," said Game, Fish and Parks Turn In Poachers/Law Training Officer Andy Alban. "Doves can only legally be shot while in flight, and dove hunters must stay at least 50 yards from any public road. Hunting doves from a public road or public road right-of-way is prohibited."

Because doves are a migratory species, dove hunters, both resident and nonresident, must purchase the appropriate small game license and migratory bird certification. Both can be purchased online or at license agents across the state. Hunters should go to www.sdgfp.info, hold their cursor over the subheading "Licenses and Reservations" and click on the link to "Buy General Hunting and Fishing Licenses." From this point, there is also a link to view the current list of agents.

Alban added that youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or other responsible adult while dove hunting. Parent, guardian or other responsible adult is defined as any person 18 years of age or older.

Fifteen doves are allowed daily per hunter, with a possession limit of 30.

Nontoxic shot is required for dove hunting on state Game Production Areas, federal Waterfowl Production Areas, state Park and Recreation Areas and Lakeside Use Areas, state Water Access Areas, U.S. Army Corps of Engineer lands and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation lands managed by Game, Fish and Parks.

Pump-action and semi-automatic firearms used while dove hunting must be plugged so they hold no more than three shells.

Dove season ends at sunset on Oct. 14.

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