By TNHUNTING.COM
TnHunting.Com Staff

That resounding metallic sliding sound you just heard was the sound of shotguns being racked across the state in anticipation of the upcoming Labor Day weekend.

Hunters will have a double-barrel opportunity this weekend, as both the early hunting season for Canada geese and the first segment of dove season open on Friday.

September 1 is the typical opening date for both seasons. This year, hunters have the good fortune of seeing the first day of September fall on a Friday; Because the first few days of dove season are the best shooting, hardcore dove hunters usually take off work on opening day. This year, they'll have a four-day weekend to chase the feathered darts.

Canada goose season will open at 30 minutes prior to sunrise on Friday morning, and continue through September 15. The daily bag is five geese. dove season will open at noon on Friday and continue through September 26. The daily bag is 15. Later segments of dove season will be open from October 7 through October 22 and December 16 through January 2.

Canada goose populations in Tennessee continue to increase, as resident populations of the birds continue to grow.

Dove hunters, meanwhile, are reporting that this weekend could be a "very good" weekend for dove shoots.

The first of the fall hunting seasons to open was squirrel season, which opened on August 26 and will continue through February 28. Wood duck/teal season will open on September 9 and continue through September 13.

TWRA WARNS OF BAITED DOVE FIELDS

With the opening of dove season at noon on September 1, 2006, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is reminding hunters to check their hunting area to make sure it is not baited. "It is the responsibility of every hunter to be certain that he or she is not hunting over a baited area," said Sonny Richardson, Chief of Law Enforcement for TWRA.

"The best way to determine whether or not a field is legal to hunt is to ensure that the field has been planted by legitimate agricultural practices, as recommended by the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service. If a crop has been planted or harvested in a recommended manner, it is legal to hunt. However, if grain has been placed on the ground in piles or strips, is inconsistently distributed, or placed for the purpose of attracting doves, this is not a normal agricultural practice and would be considered bait," explained Richardson.

Wheat is sown at this time of the year in Tennessee as a standard agricultural practice and fields of freshly sown wheat offer excellent hunting opportunity. But, the hunter must be certain that the field has not been "double sown" which is not a recommended method of planting. If the hunter sees that wheat has already sprouted consistently on the field and hard grains of wheat are also distributed on top of the ground, it is evidence that the field has been sown more than one time. The hunter should depart such fields immediately.

Federal regulations also permit the taking of doves over wildlife food plots provided they are planted in accordance with official recommendations of the Agricultural Extension Service or in a manner consistent with official recommendations for production of a crop (example: one-time sowing of viable seed at recommended application rates and dates on a prepared seed bed). Mature wildlife flood plots may also be manipulated for the purpose of attracting and hunting doves. However, the distribution of additional grain, such as wheat or sunflower, to a standing or manipulated food plot would be considered baiting.

In addition to state law violations, federal penalties for a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act include a fine up to $15,000 and 6 months imprisonment. The penalty for placing or directing the placement of bait, or allowing any person to take or attempt to take doves over a baited area includes up to one-year imprisonment.

Hunters are encouraged to visit the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency website for more specific information on legal methods by which doves may be taken.

If a hunter has any doubt that a field may be baited, the best thing to do is leave the area and contact your closest Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Office.

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