TWRA Warns Of Baited Dove Fields

With the opening of dove season at noon on September 1, 2008, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is reminding hunters to check their hunting area to make sure it is not baited.

“It is the responsibility of every hunter to be certain that he or she is not hunting over a baited area,” said Sonny Richardson, Chief of Law Enforcement for TWRA.

“The best way to determine whether or not a field is legal to hunt is to ensure that the field has been planted by legitimate agricultural practices, as recommended by the University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service. If a crop has been planted or harvested in a recommended manner, it is legal to hunt. However, if grain has been placed on the ground in piles or strips, is inconsistently distributed, or placed for the purpose of attracting doves, this is not a normal agricultural practice and would be considered bait,” explained Richardson.

Wheat is sown at this time of the year in Tennessee as a standard agricultural practice and fields of freshly sown wheat offer excellent hunting opportunity. But, the hunter must be certain that the field has not been “double sown” which is not a recommended method of planting. If the hunter sees that wheat has already sprouted consistently on the field and hard grains of wheat are also distributed on top of the ground, it is evidence that the field has been sown more than one time.

The hunter should depart such fields immediately.

Federal regulations also permit the taking of doves over wildlife food plots provided they are planted in accordance with official recommendations of the Agricultural Extension Service or in a manner consistent with official recommendations for production of a crop (example: one-time sowing of viable seed at recommended application rates and dates on a prepared seed bed).

Mature wildlife flood plots may also be manipulated for the purpose of attracting and hunting doves. However, the distribution of additional grain, such as wheat or sunflower, to a standing or manipulated food plot would be considered baiting.

In addition to state law violations, federal penalties for a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act include a fine up to $15,000 and 6 months imprisonment. The penalty for placing or directing the placement of bait, or allowing any person to take or attempt to take doves over a baited area includes up to one-year imprisonment.

If a hunter has any doubt that a field may be baited, the best thing to do is leave the area and contact your closest Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Office.