WMA Dove Fields Now Open All Day On Opener

In a late change, WRD will allow WMA dove fields to be open for shooting from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Prior to this decision, WMA dove fields were set to open 30 minutes before sunrise but close at 12 noon.

“When surveyed, hunters have routinely asked for opening day of dove season to begin 30 minutes before sunrise instead of noon,” said Kevin Lowrey, WRD wildlife biologist. “When it was decided to allow a 30-minute-before-sunrise start on our WMAs, we also decided to maintain the traditional half day of hunting and close them at noon since they started at daylight. This would allow less pressure on the doves, maintaining hunt quality for the remaining hunts.”

“Unfortunately, this was confusing to our hunters. After hearing from many hunters, it was decided by the division to allow hunting from 30 minutes prior to sunrise to sunset on all WMAs on opening day to hopefully end the confusion. Hunters on WMAs can enter the field to set up one hour before sunrise.”

The Georgia Dove Hunting Page

Kevin said the late dove ruling is a blanket policy whether you are hunting a quota or non-quota dove field on Sept. 4. However, be careful if you’re hunting one of the VPA fields.

“If you are hunting a VPA dove field, check with the region office to confirm shooting times. Due to some of the landowner agreements, shooting times may be different,” said Kevin.

A list of those region phone numbers can be found on WRD’s website.