Did you know that your gun has to be plugged for dove hunting??!!

[BLACKJACK]

Was just reading Dennis Anderson's column in the Strib and he mentioned getting a warning ticket for not having his gun plugged - I didn't realize that you needed a plug in for dove hunting!!!

Good to know since I'm hoping to get out over the weekend after some doves, picking up my license today.

[troutkingmaster]

Yep, they are a migratory bird which requires a plug. Also do not forget your HIP certification as you need that too.

[tybo]

Yes I knew. The info can be found on pPage 52 of the regulations book:

SEASON DATES, LIMITS AND HOURS

Sept. 1 to Oct. 30, from one half hour before sunrise to sunset except

opening day of waterfowl season when shooting hours begin at 9 a.m.

Daily bag limit is 15; possession limit 30.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

All residents and nonresidents must have a valid small game license

in their possession. Youth age 15 and under are required to obtain a free

license. Residents may hunt doves without a license on property they

occupy as their principal residence. All licensed dove hunters must be HIP

certified (see page 33).

PARTY HUNTING

Party hunting for mourning doves is prohibited. Individual hunters may

not shoot migratory game birds for other hunters.

FIREARM RESTRICTIONS

Only shotguns not capable of holding more than three shells may be

used to take doves.

AGRICULTURAL LANDS AND BAITING

Bait, seeds or grain may not be placed or brought into a field.

Doves may be hunted on, over or from:

• Lands or areas where seeds or grains have been scattered solely

as the result of normal agricultural operations, which include

normal

agricultural harvestings, normal agricultural post-harvest

manipulations, or normal agricultural practices.

• Lands planted by top-sowing or aerial seeding where seeds have

been scattered solely as the result of a normal agricultural planting,

a planting for agricultural soil erosion control, or a planting for

post‑mining land reclamation.

• Standing crops, and standing or manipulated natural vegetation

• Lands planted as wildlife food plots, provided the seed is

planted in a manner consistent with Cooperative State Research,

Education, and Extension Service recommendations for the planting

of wildlife food plots.

• Lands planted as pasture improvements or for the purpose of grazing

livestock.

• A blind or other place of concealment camouflaged with natural

vegetation.

MOURNING DOVE

2010 MINNESOTA HUNTING REGULATIONS

52

[S.D. Ice Angular]

Yep, they are a migratory bird which requires a plug. Also do not forget your HIP certification as you need that too.

What is a "HIP Certification" My licenses says “HIP Certification” = $0.00

Is that it?

He!!, I don’t even know what it means and nobody at Fleet Farm where I purchased my licenses could tell me either. They just said “I got it”…

[troutkingmaster]

If your license says HIP certification you have it. HIP certification is the "Harvest Information Program" which surveys migratory hunters on their harvest from the previous year. It is why they ask you how many ducks, geese, doves, snipe, etc. you harvested each year. I guess they use the information for something useful, I doubt it is another useless gov't program...

[CRAZYEYES]

The only law involving dove hunting that I disagree with is transporting them. I dont like having to leave a head and feet on them for transport. You'd think that the DNR could identify them with a simple wing. I know thats how its done with all migratory birds, Woodcock, Ducks etc. but still kind of a pain with those little things.

[Archerysniper]

Yes I do know I read the regs on everything before I hunt them, that is why you should read the regs before you hunt. Thier is no excuse for not knowing the laws they are clearly writen in the law book.

[candiru]

A plug and HIP certification is also needed for Woodcock

[BLACKJACK]

The only law involving dove hunting that I disagree with is transporting them. I dont like having to leave a head and feet on them for transport.

I'm sure a cleaned/breasted out robin or blue jay would look the same as a breasted out dove. Some people seem to think that they need to shoot/catch anything that moves and eat it, a regulation about leaving a body part on will prevent that. Just cut it off when you get home.