The first hunting season opener is soon upon us and marks the beginning of the 2017. That's right, Sept. 1 is just days away. Dove season will officially open on that day, along with snipe, sora and Virginia rails.
To participate in these sporting events, each hunter must have a small game hunting permit (unless you qualify as a landowner or lessee hunting on your own property) and a migratory bird hunting permit. If a hunter has a lifetime conservation partner or lifetime small game permit, either of these lifetime permits cover both the small game hunting permit and migratory bird permit requirement.
For someone 16 or older who is not yet hunter-education certified, an additional apprentice permit is required. As part of that option, a properly-permitted (or exempt), hunter education certified adult is required to be in the immediate presence of the permitted apprentice.
Make sure to carry your proof of hunter education on your person if born on or after Jan. 1, 1967.
The daily limit for doves of any kind is 15, snipe is eight, and rails are 25 in the aggregate. The possession limits are three times the daily bag limits ( 45, 24, and 75 respectively).
Scouting ahead of time will surely pay off, and make sure to establish permission with the landowner prior to hunting. Make sure all members of the hunting party have permission. If you are invited to a hunt, make sure it is not an illegally-baited field. No grain is allowed to be spread on the ground to attract doves to the area you are hunting. Crops, however, are allowed to be manipulated as long as it is a normal agricultural practice.
Shotguns with multi-shot projectiles are the only legal firearms and shells that may be used. They also may not be capable of holding more than three shotshells total in the gun.
For additional information, refer to the 2017 Migratory Bird Digest, available at your local permit vendors or online at mdc.mo.gov.