Thousands of hunters will gather around their camps, farms and public hunting lands to celebrate the time-honored tradition of dove hunting with family and friends in September. There’s just nothing much more fun than spending an afternoon in the fall shooting doves and having fun with friends. There will be a lot of missing, too, but that’s just a part of the annual fall hunting kickoff.
Many opening weekend dove hunts will serve up plenty of scrumptious food, drinks, fellowship and lots of old-time story telling as friends and acquaintances gather together once again. Many haven’t seen each other since the previous year’s hunt, so it gives outdoor lovers a chance to get the whole family involved, to renew old friendships and to make new friendships.
There’s just nothing quite like a Delta Dove hunt over sunflowers, millet, wheat or sorghum. One September near Greenwood, friends from all over the South gathered for a shoot over a huge sunflower field. Thousands of shots were fired, an untold number of doves were picked up and many young hunters got their start with a taste of an action packed hunt
While there are a few pay hunts around the state, and plenty of private-land hunts, there is also ample opportunities at our state owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs).
WMA youth dove hunts
Special youth dove hunting opportunities will be offered on the following WMAs:
Black Prairie WMA, Sept. 6
The hunt is open to youth 15 years and younger. Youth hunters must apply online at www.mdwfp.com. Participants will be selected by a random online drawing. A parent or guardian over 21 years of age must accompany each youth hunter during the entire hunt. Lunch will be provided. The hunt will begin at 2 p.m. and will conclude at sunset.
Dove hunting will be allowed on designated fields after the Sept. 6 youth hunt from 2 p.m. until sunset on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the first season only.
Hell Creek WMA, Sept. 4
A opening day youth hunt will be held on a designated millet and sorghum field from 2 p.m. until sunset. From Sept. 5-Oct. 17, hunting hours are 2 p.m. until sunset. No hunting during scheduled deer gun hunts (Oct. 6-9 and Oct. 13-16).
Leroy Percy WMA, Sept. 4
Youth hunters with a guardian can hunt from 2 p.m. until sunset. Guardians accompanying youths may hunt. One guardian is allowed per youth and is defined as a person over 21 years of age with a valid hunting license. The youth and guardian must hunt together in one of the 25 designated hunting locations.
Hunting continues Sept. 8 to Oct. 16 on Wednesdays and Saturdays only. Hunting hours are 2 p.m. until sunset. The number of hunters on the dove field is limited to 25.
Muscadine Farms WMA, Sept. 6
A youth draw dove hunt will be held on designated fields. Youths must apply online at www.mdwfp.com. Participants will be selected by a random, online drawing. Drawn participants must check in at the WMA Headquarters on Sept. 6 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided. From Sept. 11 to Oct. 17, dove hunting will be allowed on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. until sunset.
2021-22 Mississippi dove season dates
North Zone: Areas north of US 84, plus areas south of US 84 and west of MS 35.
- Sept. 4-Oct. 17;
- Oct. 30-Nov. 28;
- Dec. 25, 2021-Jan. 9, 2022.
South Zone: Areas south of US Hwy. 84 and east of MS 35.
- Sept. 4-19;
- Oct. 9 – Nov. 7;
- Dec. 19-Jan. 31, 2022.
For more WMA dove hunting information check out the Dove Program link at www.mdwp.com.
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