Dove and early goose hunting season to begin

The small game season kicks off Sept. 2 when dove hunting season opens. The season runs in a split season of from Sept. 2-Nov. 29 and again from Dec. 21- Jan. 4 with a 15 daily and 45 in possession  bag limit. At the same time, the early Canada goose season begins for a Sept. 2-25 initial run.

But both dove and geese will be tough to hunt at this time of year since corn crops are still standing and soybean fields are just beginning to develop beans at many places. 

What this means for the hunter is that if downing a dove and it flies into standing corn, it’ll be tough to find unless you have a good hunting dog. Soybean fields are a bit easier in that they are low in height allowing you to mark the spot where the dove went down. Just be courteous when doing so as to not trample the farm crops while retrieving the dove. And above all, get permission from the landowner before hunting adjacent to the fields. 

Since there are fewer and fewer places to hunt considering all the development taking place. There are the game lands and in particular SGL #205 in Lowhill Township and off Rte. 100 in Lehigh County where there are Managed Dove Fields. This is where game commission personnel plant food crops for dove. These fields are managed specifically for the doves to take advantage of the food, grit and loafing areas that dove prefer. 

In Northampton County you can try SGL # 168 on the Blue Mountain located in Bushkill Township and north of the town of Clearfield. It’s not certain though if there are Managed Dove Fields there. 

In Berks County, it’s SGL #182 off Rte. 222 north of Kutztown. And if not there, Berks has more open farmland than the other two counties. Most of these are owned by Mennonite families and they are generally receptive to allowing hunting on or near their land. In fact, one parcel I passed on the outskirts of Fleetwood even has posted signs indicating it’s a “Hunter Access Cooperator.” Older signs may say “Public Access Cooperator.” Years back this was called the Farm-Game Co-Op program where farmers would allow hunting on their land and in exchange they would get pine seedlings to plant on their property and free PA Game News magazines. Again, permission to hunt is needed. 

As for geese, the best bets is to check harvested cut wheat or alfalfa fields that are close to a pond or lake. Until the corn is harvested, goose hunting may be even tougher right now. 
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Hunters should not forget that a Migratory Game Bird license is required to  hunt doves in addition to a general license. These can be purchased at a licensing agency or on the game commission’s website under the heading of licensing for all you newcomers to the area.