Conservation Commission sets dove and other early migratory bird seasons

JEFFERSON CITY–Missouri hunters who pursue doves, teal and other early-migrating birds will find this year’s seasons for those species pretty much the same as last year.

At its meeting in West Plains May 27, the Missouri Conservation Commission approved the following early migratory bird seasons:

• Sora and Virginia rails: Sept. 1 through Nov. 9 (70 days), limits 25 daily and 25 in possession. (Combined total for both species.)

• Wilson’s (common) snipe: Sept. 1 through Dec. 16 (107 days) limits 8 daily and 16 in possession.

• American woodcock: Oct. 15 through Nov. 28 (45 days), limits 3 daily and 6 in possession.

• Mourning doves, Eurasian collared doves and white-winged doves: Sept. 1 through Nov. 9 (70 days), limits 15 daily and 30 in possession. (Combined total for all three species.)

• Blue-winged teal, green-winged teal and cinnamon teal: Sept. 10-25 (16 days); limits 4 daily and 8 in possession. (Combined total for all three species.)

Additional details about early migratory bird hunting regulations will be published in the 2011 Migratory Bird Hunting Digest. The publication will be available from hunting permit vendors later this summer and online at www.mdc.mo.gov.

-Jim Low-