June 20, 2013

Dove hunters can provide vital information about the sport through a nation-wide survey

PRATT­– One of North America’s most highly sought after migratory birds, the dove, will be the focus of an national survey conducted June 20 through the end of the year. A cooperative effort of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Flyway Councils, and state fish and wildlife agencies, the National Dove Hunter Survey will examine the experiences and opinions of dove hunters from across the nation.

“Nationally, there are more than one million dove hunters in the United States,” said Dr. Ken Richkus, USFWS Population and Habitat Assessment Branch. “This survey will encompass all regions of the country and will give us an excellent picture of hunter opinions and needs.”

Surveys will be mailed to randomly selected hunters from across the nation who purchased a HIP stamp required to hunt doves. Specific topics being surveyed include hunter characteristics, time spent hunting, and perceived constraints to hunting. The survey will also examine hunters’ thoughts about potential effects of spent lead on mourning doves and other wildlife.

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the states want to make sure we use the best science-based information for the management and conservation of our migratory bird resources and take hunter opinions and preferences into account whenever possible,” said Richkus.

For more information, contact Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism migratory bird specialist Richard Schultheis at (620) 342-0658 or by email at richard.schultheis@ksoutdoors.com.

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