Silage is the major agricultural product most surrounding farmers will be producing, and if it's cut a week or two before the season opens, it tends to scatter the doves in the area. These birds are opportunistic feeders, and take what's readily available. They may fly miles to get to a ready food source, but won't travel far at all if something is close at hand.

Assuming a good spring and summer production season, and no harsh, cold weather too early, there is a good chance of success on Higginson-Henry's fields in September. Sometimes as many as 1,500 birds may be found in the first day or two when conditions are right and food is on the ground.

A backup choice in this region is the 10,600-acre Sloughs WMA, not too far north of Union County in Henderson County. The steel-shot requirement applies here, too, but generally the area offers a good first day or two of shooting.

PURCHASE REGION
The 6,969-acre West Kentucky WMA outside Paducah is a hodgepodge of upland flatlands, some woodlands and several water sources that is tailor-made for dove use. It's no surprise then, that it also gets a good bit of dove hunter use, too.

There is somewhere in the neighborhood of 35 acres of dove foods grown on West Kentucky WMA, one of the larger acreage amounts found on public lands anywhere in Kentucky. The fields are separated to balance out hunting pressure and give birds a little more back and forth option while feeding, or when gunfire disturbs them.

Hunters can take U.S. Route 60 west from Paducah out to Future City, head north on SR 996 for about 3.5 miles, and then pick up SR 358 west to the WMA's main office. The West Kentucky WMA has some special hunting rules, so be sure and check with the KDFWR to see what's necessary when hunting this WMA.

Hunters can expect to take 10 birds or so apiece on opening day with good shooting, depending on the number of shooters who show up.

On any public hunting land, it is always best if you can go and visit the field a day or two before you plan to hunt it. Dove hunts are not, by any means, a guaranteed thing even when a lot of food is available. Scouting ahead at least gives you the option of changing plans and hunting elsewhere if you find there aren't any birds on the field you plan to hunt.

The areas highlighted here are a selection of public dove lands across the state. There are others that may or may not be as good as those mentioned here. These WMAs are pretty consistent producers, however, according to KDFWR biologists.

For complete dove-hunting information on all public lands open this season, pick up a copy of the 2005 Dove and Early Duck Season Guide, or go online at www.fw.ky.gov; or contact the KDFWR at (800) 858-1549 weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST.

While few, if any, changes in the season or limits are expected for 2005, it is always best to double-check season regulations before going afield. Dove hunters who don't hunt waterfowl can purchase the state migratory bird permit in addition to a Kentucky hunting license and be legal to go.

Those who hunt doves and waterfowl will come out better to get a hunting license, and a state waterfowl stamp, which covers doves as well as ducks and geese. Remember to fill out the harvest survey slip when you buy one of these permits, as required by federal law.

And lastly, take plenty of pop or water with you, maybe even some sunscreen if it's a usual Kentucky dove season opener. Hold off on the other types of beverages until you leave the field. After all, alcohol and gunpowder just don't mix.