Date: 08/17/09
Contact: Martin Olson
Phone: 702-486-5127 x 3501

DRAWING FOR OVERTON WMA DOVE OPENER

The annual hunting season for mourning doves opens Sept. 1. Hunters wanting to hunt the Overton Wildlife Management Area will need to make reservations with the Nevada Department of Wildlife ahead of time.

NDOW will hold a drawing for opening day reservations, and for the first weekend of dove season, on Monday, Aug. 31, at 8 a.m. The drawing will be held at the agency’s Las Vegas office, 4747 Vegas Drive, the Henderson Office, 744 South Racetrack Road and the Overton WMA headquarters. Reservations will be limited to 60 hunters for opening day and for each day of the opening weekend. Hunters are not required to have reservations for Overton during any other days of the dove season.

September 1 has long been the opening day of dove season and for hunters serves as the unofficial beginning of fall. The season ends Sept. 30 and is open for mourning dove statewide, but white-winged dove can be harvested only in Clark and Nye counties.

Hunters who are 12 years of age or older must obtain a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number prior to hunting. They can obtain this number by calling 1-866-703-4605 or online at www.ndowlicensing.com. Neither an upland game bird stamp or migratory bird stamp is required to hunt doves; however, lead-free shot is required on all wildlife management areas and national wildlife refuges. In addition, shotguns must be plugged so the overall capacity of the firearm is no more three shotshells.

Anyone born after Jan. 1, 1960 is required to successfully complete a hunter education course before purchasing a Nevada hunting license. Information about the Hunter Education program and class registration can be found online at www.ndow.org.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.