Dove Hunting and Baiting
Mourning doves and other migratory birds are a national
resource protected under the MigratoryBird Treaty Act. The
mourning dove is the most hunted migratory game bird in
North America, and dove hunting is a popular sport in many
parts of this country. Federal and State regulations
help ensure that these birds continue to thrive while providing
hunting opportunities.
Regulatory
changes
adopted by the Federal government in 1999 define key terms
for hunters and landowners with respect to baiting, and
clarify conditions under which you may hunt doves and other
migratory game birds. The goal of these rules is not
to regulate farming, but to ensure that you understand those
practices that are compatible with dove hunting and those
that are not.
As a hunter or land manager, it is your responsibility to
know and obey all Federal and State laws that govern the
sport. This web page reviews Federal rules on baiting, incorporates
current U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service enforcement policy,
and summarizes other Federal regulations for dove hunting.
Please remember that Federal regulations are
more restrictive for waterfowl hunting than for dove hunting.
For information on waterfowl hunting, carefully review the
Federal regulations and visit the companion web page on
waterfowl hunting and baiting.
Click here
for a printable pdf file of the following information.
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