Dove hunting is a funny activity in West Virginia. Were you to be on hand for the opening day activities at either McClintic or Green Bottom Wildlife Management Areas, you’d think you’d think it was the number one hunting activity in West Virginia. Return on day two, and you’ll find the open fields devoid of people.
"A lot of guys enjoy that opening day, then after that the interest seems to slack off," said Steve Wilson, biologist for the West Virginia DNR. "It’s like anything else, those that really like to dove hunt will continue to be there throughout the season."
The lure of the opening day, which this year fell on Labor Day, may be the desire to get out and burn powder. When hunting doves, you will burn A LOT of powder.
"If you can kill a limit of doves with seven shots, you’re an EXCELLENT wing shooter!" Said Wilson in a recent edition of West Virginia Outdoors. "It does make for a good tune up for grouse hunting."
McClintic in Mason County and Green Bottom in Cabell County are popular areas because they are public hunting areas. The DNR manages those areas with early succession forest and farmland habitat. The mowed down grain fields provide a food source that draws scores of doves into the area.
"You need to scout around and look for a water source, they like to drink fairly often," said Wilson. "Look for a dead snag, they like to perch and a food source. They’ll be flying back and forth through that a lot."
Dove hunting is a popular activity early in the fall in the eastern panhandle. However, most activity there is on private land, typically in cut cornfields or recently mowed grain fields. It’s advisable to hunt soon after the harvest–rather than before–to make it easier to find downed birds.
The West Virginia dove season is split into three segments, September 1 – October 4, October 20 – November 8, and December 19 – January 3. Hunters are reminded to have a HIP card available at any license agent and must use a plug in any pump or semi-automatic shotgun. Doves are migratory and covered under all federal migratory bird laws, with the exception of shot. Lead shot is legal for doves.