Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2003
For more information:  Spencer Vaa, 688-4786

LOOK CLOSELY FOR LEG BANDS ON DOVES

PIERRE – Dove season opens Sept. 1, and state Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) officials are asking dove hunters to carefully check all doves harvested for the presence of a leg band.

"This summer, South Dakota, along with 25 other states, has been participating in a nationwide mourning dove-banding study," said state Waterfowl Biologist Spencer Vaa. "The objectives of this three-year study are to determine band reporting rates, estimate annual survival, provide information on the geographical distribution of the harvest and develop and refine techniques for a future, larger scale dove-banding program." Doves will be marked with metal leg bands containing a unique number and a toll-free telephone number that hunters can use to report the band.

Vaa added that hunters are a critical link in the mourning dove banding study. "By checking all harvested doves for bands, and reporting banded doves, they help us manage this important migratory game bird resource," he said. "Because dove bands are very small, hunters can easily overlook them. Thus, we are asking dove hunters to carefully check all doves harvested for the presence of a leg band. "

If anyone harvests a banded mourning dove, report it by calling 1-800-327-BAND(2263). Banded doves may also be reported over the Internet at www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl. Hunters can keep the band and will be provided with a certificate of appreciation that identifies who banded the bird, the age and sex of the bird and the date and location where the bird was banded.

Dove season is open in South Dakota through Oct. 17.

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