OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) is reminding Oklahomans Sept. 1 is when hunters in the entire state of Oklahoma can move into the fields as the first major hunting season kicks off.
According to ODWC, with fall hunting set to kick off Dove hunting is highly anticipated by thousands of hunters. The daily bag limit of mourning, white-winged and Eurasian collared doves is 15 in aggregate; but there is no limit on the Eurasian dove if the head or a fully feathered wing remains with the bird.
Dove season remains open until Oct. 31, then will reopen Dec. 1-29. Wildlife officials say, Dove are found from one side of the state to the other, and hunters don’t have to travel far to find them. ODWC habitat managers prepare dove hunting fields on many wildlife management areas statewide. For an interactive map of these public areas, click here.
To locate locations offered through the Oklahoma Land Access Program (OLAP), which leases private land statewide for hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities click here. Click “Hunting” then “Where to Hunt.”
Waterfowlers don't have to wait long to get their feet wet, as teal season and resident Canada goose season both open Sept. 7. Teal hunters are allowed a daily bag limit of six birds. Hunters taking resident Canada geese are allowed a daily bag limit of eight birds. The September teal season will run through Sept. 22, and the special resident Canada goose season will run through Sept. 16.
New this year, anyone 17 and younger may hunt doves in Oklahoma without needing a hunting license or a federal Harvest Information Program permit. A HIP permit is required of all other hunters ages 18 to 63, unless exempt otherwise. For rules for Oklahoma Fishing and Hunting Regulation, click here.