First Hunts Coming Up

Next Monday, Sept. 2, ushers in the first hunting seasons of the new hunting year. These are the hunts for mourning doves and resident Canada geese. The dove season ends on Nov. 29. Doves can be hunted again during the Dec. 21–Jan. 4 late season. The limits on doves are 15 per day, with a possession limit of 45 birds.

The first Canada geese season in the “Resident Population Zone,” which includes our area, runs from Sept. 2–Sept. 25, during which the limits are eight geese per day with a possession limit of 24. Later seasons include Oct. 26-Nov. 29, Dec. 16-Jan.18, and Jan 31-Feb. 22. The limits during these seasons are five daily with a possession limit of 15 birds.

License requirements are somewhat complicated. First of all, a general hunting license or a mentored permit is required. In addition, to hunt doves, geese, and other waterfowl that come into season later, a hunter must have a Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird License. This license can be purchased from a license issuing agent or through http://www.HuntFishPA. Finally, to hunt waterfowl, hunters 16 and older must have a Federal Duck Stamp. If the actual stamp is carried, it must be signed across the face. There is an electronic version of the Federal Duck Stamp. This E-stamp has been authorized for use during the entirety of the waterfowl hunting season, and stamps can be purchased through http://www.HuntFishPA.

Legal hunting hours for doves run from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. The September goose season’s hours are from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. However, hunting hours for all waterfowl end at sunset on Youth Waterfowl Days. Hours for all other migratory bird seasons are from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. The inconsistency of the September goose season’s hours with the rest of the hours could be somewhat confusing for hunters.

Hunting arms and ammunition are explained on p. 45 of this year’s “Hunting and Trapping Digest.” Basically, a hunter can load his shotgun with three non-toxic, non-lead shells.

Managing fields for doves is now a legal method of attracting birds. By checking “Dove Hunting in Pennsylvania” on the PGC’s website, you can find how to construct managed fields on private land. The PGC itself manages about three-dozen fields statewide. This is, of course, legalized baiting and is another PGC promotion of poor sportsmanship.

There seem to be lots of unnecessary complications with dove and waterfowl seasons. Studying and then carrying your digest with you might be good things to do.