Those first two days are always the most popular and without the controlled hunts at certain spots, the situation can get chaotic with hunters jostling for prime locations. Thus, the controlled hunt system was adopted for the fields at Rush Run, Spring Valley, Fallsville, Indian Creek, Bott and St. Marys.
Drawings for those fields were held Saturday, but there are other public areas and beyond those first two days of controlled hunts, all wildlife area dove grounds will be open. The St. Marys field also has controlled hunts slated for Sept. 5, 12 and 19. Those drawings will be held there on the days of the hunts.
Of course a large number of hunters will opt to hunt for doves on private grounds. If so, written permission must be obtained if not hunting on your own land.
Ohio’s dove hunting season dates are Sept. 1-Nov. 8, and Dec. 12-Jan. 1. The daily limit is 15 birds with a possession limit of 45 birds after the second day.
Additional hunting seasons that start Sept. 1 include the following dates:
• Special early season Canada goose: Sept. 1-15. Daily limit of five; possession limit of 15 after the second day.
• Early teal: Sept. 5-20. Daily limit of six; possession limit of 18 after the second day.
• Sora rail and Virginia rail: Sept. 1-Nov. 9. Daily limit of 25; possession limit of 75 after the second day.
• Common moorhen: Sept. 1-Nov. 9. Daily limit of 15; possession limit of 45 after the second day.
• Common snipe: Sept. 1-Nov. 29 and Dec. 19-Jan. 4, 2016. Daily limit of eight; possession limit of 24 after the second day.
• Squirrel: Sept. 1-Jan. 31. Daily bag limit of 6.
New this year, hunters can carry a valid receipt for a federal duck stamp, or an e-stamp, in place of a signed stamp for 45 days after purchase. An Ohio wetlands habitat stamp endorsement and a federal duck stamp are not required to hunt doves, rails, moorhens, snipe and woodcock.
If you have a question concerning any of the hunting seasons, call the District Five office at (937) 372-9261 or visit wildohio.gov.
Dove maps: ODNR is offering a series of maps to help hunters find public fields for dove hunting. Visit wildlife.ohiodnr.gov to find maps for Ohio, including these southwest Ohio wildlife area locations: Fallsville South Unit, Paint Creek, Bott, Rush Run, St. Marys, Caesar Creek Lake, Pater, Spring Valley, Darke, East Fork, Indian Creek, Clark Lake.
Deer hunts: A series of controlled deer hunts will be held during the fall and winter at the Fort Hill historic area in Highland County, a property owned by The Ohio History Connection (formerly the Ohio Historical Society). There will be separate lotteries to allow deer hunting for youth and adults. For information about dates and signing up for the lotteries, visit ohiohistorystore.com/Fort-Hill-Deer-Hunt-Lottery. The deadline for lottery applications is 5 p.m. on Sept. 25.
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