JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – With dove hunting season opening Sept. 1, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds dove hunters of its more than 180 conservation areas around the state that allow dove hunting, including nearly 100 planted in multiple crop fields that attract the popular game birds. Crops include sunflower, corn, millet, wheat, and buckwheat.

A list of conservation areas that offer dove hunting and maps of areas that have dovefields are available from MDC online at mdc.mo.gov/node/8905.

Weather conditions can impact the quality of field crops so MDC encourages dove hunters to check field conditions ahead of time.

Mourning doves, Eurasian collared doves, and white-winged doves may be taken from Sept. 1 through Nov. 9 from one half hour before sunrise to sunset with a combined daily limit of 15 and a combined possession limit of 45 for all three species.