Doug Yeager, Platte County Conservation Agent.
Dove season starts September 1 and runs through November 29. Mourning Doves, White-winged Doves and Eurasian Collared-doves may be taken for a combined daily limit of 15 birds. Shooting hours are one half hour before sunrise till sunset.
A small game hunting permit and a migratory bird hunting permit are required to hunt dove if you are 16 or older. Landowners hunting on their own property do not need a small game permit but are required to have the migratory bird hunting permit. Shotguns must be plugged to hold only 3 shells in magazine and chamber combined.
Dove hunting fields on many conservation areas have been planted with sunflowers, wheat or a combination of crops. If you are planning on hunting public land you may want to scout the fields before opening morning since field locations change annually.
Platte Falls Conservation Area, Guy B. Park Conservation Area and James A. Reed Conservation Area are restricted to non-toxic shot so the possession of lead shot while dove hunting is prohibited.