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Dove opener Sept. 4 at James A. Reed Area
LEE's SUMMIT, Mo. -- Dove hunting is a long-popular tradition at the Missouri Department of Conservation's (MDC) James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area near Lee’s Summit. But hunters should be aware of special regulations that apply at the Reed Area.
Opening day for doves at the Reed Area will be Tuesday, Sept. 4, beginning at 1 p.m. This is a change from previous years when shooting began at noon.
Dove hunting is permitted only by managed hunt for up to the first seven days of the season. If hunt opportunity exceeds demand before day seven, a self-check system will be used like in the past.
As in prior years, the area will be closed to dove hunting during the Labor Day weekend and on the holiday.
After the managed hunt portion of the dove season at the Reed Area, the area will be open for dove hunting through the regular statewide season with shooting hours beginning at 1 p.m. This will include weekends after Labor Day. Hunters are required to obtain a hunting card at the Reed Area headquarters and return it with harvest information following their hunt. The cards are used for ongoing research into dove populations.
Missouri’s regular statewide dove season opens Sept. 1 with shooting hours one half-hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunset. For more information on wildlife areas and hunting seasons, go to mdc.mo.gov.