(WKYT) – September 1 marks the opening day of dove season in Kentucky, the start of hunting season for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
James Brace, a game warden, said the opening of dove season begins the department’s busiest time of year.
“So today is the opening day of dove season, which is pretty much the start of hunting season. It gets everybody back out and outdoors enjoying something that they love to do as far as hunting,” Brace said.
Hundreds of thousands of hunters wait until opening day to begin hunting each year. To hunt legally, hunters need a current hunting license and a migratory bird permit to hunt dove.
Brace said hunters also need to complete a HIP survey.
“And then make sure you complete your HIP survey, all right, which is a survey that you have to answer some questions on how many birds you harvested last year and what type of bird you harvested last year, and also make sure you have your hunter education if you’re born after January 1st of 1975,” Brace said.
The daily limit on hunting doves is 15 per day. There are also limits on the type of firearm hunters can use.
“So in the state of Kentucky, you’re gonna want to make sure you’re using a plug shotgun, making sure your shotgun is not capable of holding any more than three shells. That means one in the chamber and then two in the tube,” Brace said.
Brace said safety is a priority for hunters during the season.
“So we understand people are having a good time, but we want to make sure they’re doing it the right way, and there’s no better way to do that than by being safe, okay? So first and foremost, make sure you’re being safe out there, and at the end of the day, we want to make sure you’re having fun out there as well, so if we can be safe and have fun, we’re doing something right,” Brace said.