MDC and partners offer mentored dove hunts for first-time hunters

Mentored hunts will be offered on the opening day of dove season Sept. 1, with additional dates pending. Registration is required by Aug. 24.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is partnering with the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Quail Forever (QF), Pheasants Forever, Friends of the NRA, U.S. Forest Service, and landowners to provide mentored hunts for first-time dove hunters all across Missouri.

Mentored hunts will be offered on the opening day of dove season Sept. 1, with additional dates pending. No equipment is necessary, but participants 11 to 15 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Registration is required by Aug. 24.

Interested applicants can apply online at mdc.mo.gov/node/31059%20. For more information, contact John Burk of NWTF at 573-676-5994 or jburk@nwtf.net, or Elsa Gallagher of QF at 660-277-3647 or EGallagher@quailforever.org.

MDC encourages those who lack prior hunting experience to attend a hunter education course or a dove workshop. To sign up for a hunter education course visit www.register-ed.com/programs/missouri. To sign up for a workshop visit mdc.mo.gov/events.

For more on hunting doves and other and other upland game birds in Missouri, go online tohuntfish.mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/dove/dove-hunting-prospects.