Early Floods Hamper Public Dove Fields
Opening day of dove season is the kickoff to fall hunting. Many organizations, such as 4-H clubs and churches organize dove shoots on private land, and some farmers put on hunts at their fields for a small access fee. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission manages a few public fields on wildlife management areas to attract doves on opening day as well.
Unfortunately, the massive spring floods prevented many of the AGFC's sunflower fields from being planted for dove season. While some areas will still be seeded with winter wheat in August to provide additional dove hunting, the final tally of fields will not be available until mid- to late August.
Dove fields on WMAs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. WMA acreage put into dove fields is relatively small because most hunters only pursue doves during the first few days of the season. However, after opening weekend of dove season, many wildlife species feed in the fields, particularly those that were topsown with winter wheat.
Hunters should talk to area managers and regional offices for locations of fields, interest shown by other hunters and status of the fields.
Tentative list of WMAs with dove fields for the 2011-12 season:
Brinkley Regional Office – 877-734-4581
- Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA – three fields (10 acres total)
- Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms WMA – six fields (15 acres total)
- Prairie Bayou - one field (30 acres total)
Hope Regional Office – 877-777-5580
- Hope Upland WMA – 11 fields (103 acres total)
- Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA – four fields (78 acres total)