Forest Grouse & Mourning Dove Seasons to Open September 1

LEWISTON - Idaho's traditional fall bird hunting season gets underway September 1, with the opening of forest grouse and mourning dove seasons. "These seasons are the first chance for hunters to get out since the spring turkey hunts," said Jay Crenshaw, wildlife manager for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) in Lewiston. "Plus they provide a great way to sharpen your skills as we ease into the fall." The forest grouse season is September 1 to December 31, and includes blue, ruffed and spruce grouse. Daily bag limit is 4 of any kind with a possession limit of 8 of any kind after the first day of the season. Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. The mourning dove season is September 1 to September 30, with official shooting hours from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. The daily bag limit is 10 with a possession limit of 20 after the first day of the season. Federal regulations require all dove hunters, as well as all other migratory bird hunters to purchase a federal migratory game bird harvest program validation on their Idaho hunting license. The validation costs $1.50 and is available at all license vendors. The migratory bird validation applies to doves, ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, coots and snipe, but is not required for hunting forest grouse or other non-migratory upland game. Only shotguns capable of holding no more than three shells are legal for hunting migratory birds, including doves. However, this restriction does not apply to the hunting of other upland game bird species. "Dove hunters should take advantage of the local doves early in the season before they migrate south with the changing weather conditions that occur later in September," said Crenshaw. "Scouting and obtaining landowner's permission prior to opening day will also increase the likelihood of a successful hunt." For more complete information, consult Idaho's 2004-2006 Upland Game Seasons and Rules booklet available at license vendors, IDFG offices or the department's website at www.fishgame.idaho.gov.