Check Web site for dove-field updates

Todd Masson

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission publishes reports on the conditions of its game-lands dove fields on its website as the season approaches.

During the first two weeks of August, biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission send information to Raleigh about what’s been planted and is growing at game-lands food plot across the state.

"If we have problems, like a drought, we’ll update how that’s affected the dove fields," biologist Tommy Hughes said. "I’d recommend hunters go to the Web site and look the second week of August. That’s when the biologists from the different regions around the state send their food plot reports (to Raleigh)."

Hunters will find lists and descriptions of every game-lands dove field in the state and the types of plants growing plus their condition by mid-August, about three weeks from the traditional start of dove season.

"Sometimes, because of weather — for example, a drought — we might plant millet, milo, sunflowers, sorghum or corn in June, but heat and lack of rain causes a poor crop and some dove fields at game lands might not have much in the way of food for doves to eat," Hughes said.

The Web address is http://216.27.39.101/Hunting/Map_of_Game_Lands_Dove_Fields.htm.