Louisiana Dove Season Will Be A Little Different This Year

At this writing, we're only 10 days away from one of the biggest days in the year of a Louisiana hunter.

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This year's deviation from the normal opening of Louisiana's Dove Season could land some hunters in hot water if they're not paying attention.

Normally, dove season will begin on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, but because it's actual opening date is always the first Saturday of September, this year's start will actually follow Labor Day.

Those who let this slip their mind and start the season early could get a sobering reminder from LDWF that they weren't paying attention in class.

This year, dove season will actually begin as late as it can in Louisiana and won't start until next Saturday, September 7.

But, from that point, it's on like Donkey Kong!  Because with the annual migration of doves to our neck of the woods, it means that it's HUNTING SEASON!

Hunters will be allowed to take to the field and begin the hunt at 30 minutes before official sunrise local time.

In Bossier Parish, sunrise on September 7, will be at 6:54 am, so hunters will be allowed to begin shooting at 6:24 am.

Go to sunrise-sunset.org to find the exact time for your hunting destination.  However, if you're planning to hunt on a WMA or LDWF leased field, that season will begin at 12:00 pm.

The daily bag limit for doves (Mourning, White-winged, Fully Dressed Eurasian, and Collard Dove) is 15 in aggregate and the possession limit is 45 in aggregate.

For doves, Louisiana is split into two zones; the North zone and South zone.  Here in the North zone the season dates are as follows:

• September 7-28
• October 5 - November 9
• December 21 - January 21

To see more about dove hunting regulations, go to wlf.louisiana.gov

The Perks of Dove Hunting Season

Of course, staying with tradition, every red-blooded, camo-wearing, snuff-dipping, pickup truck-driving, shotgun-toting, Southern-by-the-grace-of-God, hairy-legged boy will drag out the barbecue pit or gumbo pot for the annual "Gathering of the Guys" and "Lunch in the Field."

This tradition brings out some of the best barbequers, fish fryers and Dutch oven chefs ever known to whip up a batch of jambalaya, gumbo or red beans and rice!  Let the games begin.

Keep It Legal

When it comes to dove season though, you have to be extremely legal.  Game wardens love dove season.

I'm living proof of the joy they can derive from playing G.I. Joe in a dove field for an entire afternoon in 100 degree weather.

They love idiots and that's where God blessed me, but that's a different story.

Remember this simple rule: Ask and Inspect! 

Ask any of the parties hunting and the land owner if any bait has been placed in the field.  If somebody fesses up, get the heck out of there. Don't even load your gun. If no one owns up to the action, then inspect the field. And if you find any sign of bait, repeat the previously described actions.

Game wardens don't have a sense of humor -- ever!   And it's up to us to play by their rules.

Or get out your check book and prepare to spend a day with the Federal Magistrate.  Trust me, that's about as much fun as hemorrhoid surgery.

Most of all, enjoy the day and take a kid with you. That's the only way to keep the tradition alive.