First four days of season reserved for youth and novice hunters
BELLVILLE — The dove season opener on Sept. 1 signals the beginning of fall hunting, and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) land managers at Brzon Wildlife Area, north of Belleville, have planted fields to attract this popular game species. Dove proso millet planted for doves has matured, and doves are already feeding on it. For the opening four days of season — Sept. 1-4— the area will be reserved for hunters 16 years old or younger and for novice hunters or persons who have not possessed any hunting license in the last three years. These hunters must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older. Regular adult hunters may hunt this area as long as they have at least one youth or novice hunter with them. The fields will be open to all hunters on and after Sept. 5.

The field planted specifically for dove management at Brzon is near the monument located on Fir Road, 8 miles north and 4 ½ miles west of Belleville. Several small ponds are located in the middle of the wildlife area and may provide additional dove hunting opportunities. Scouting prior to the season is always encouraged.

KDWP has been working to recruit new hunters for several years, and this Youth/Novice Dove Area is one of those efforts. Because hunter education classes can be difficult to work into busy schedules, the state of Kansas has made it easier to begin hunting without taking the class. Persons 15 and younger may hunt without hunter education as long as they are directly supervised by an adult 18 or older. In addition, anyone 16 years and older who has not passed a hunter education class may purchase a one-time “apprentice hunting license,” which allows them to hunt while accompanied by a licensed adult age 18 or older. The apprentice license is good for the calendar year.

During the dove season — and all migratory bird hunting seasons — a Harvest Information Program (HIP) stamp is required of all hunters who must purchase a hunting license. All shotguns must be plugged so they are capable of holding no more than three shells while hunting migratory birds. All hunters, trappers, and anglers must obtain permission prior to entering any private property, and if the property is posted “Hunting By Written Permission Only” or has signs or fence posts painted purple, a written permission slip signed by the landowner or his designee is required before entering the property.

This fall, take a youth or someone who has not hunted recently with you. Remember the slogan, “A little of your time….the time of their life! Pass It On!” For more information, contact Rob Unruh at 785-753-4971.
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