Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

The late season runs through Jan. 5, 2020.

Arizona dove hunters will be able to double their wing-shooting pleasure now that the state's "second" season has begun.

Unlike the 15-day season that began Sept. 1, the late season lasts 45 days and runs through Jan. 5, 2020. There still is a 15-bird daily bag limit, all of which must be mourning doves. The possession limit remains 45 mourning doves after opening day, of which no more than 15 may be taken in any one day. As always, there is an unlimited daily bag and possession limit for the invasive Eurasian collared-dove.

A few things to remember to make the most of the upcoming season:

• A combination hunt and fish license for youth hunters ages 10 to 17 is only $5. Children 9 and under do not need a license when accompanied by a licensed adult (two children per adult). Licenses can be purchased online at http://www.azgfd.com/License/, or from any license dealer or any department office statewide.

• Hunters 18 and older must possess an Arizona migratory bird stamp ($5) that can be purchased online, or from any license dealer or department office statewide.

• Shooting hours are 30 minutes before legal sunrise until legal sunset.

• One fully feathered wing must remain attached to each harvested dove until it reaches the hunter's home.

Keep in mind that dove hunters are responsible for cleaning up after themselves. Shell casings (shotgun hulls) and associated debris constitute litter and must be picked up and packed out. Littering while hunting or fishing are revocable violations, and a conviction can result in the loss of hunting privileges for up to five years.

For everything "dove," visit http://www.azgfd.com/hunting/species/smallgame/mourningdove.

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Dove hunters play an important role in conservation. Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) funds are comprised of excise taxes collected on the sale of hunting and fishing equipment (including 11 percent on ammunition), the benefit of which comes right back to Arizona for habitat improvements, shooting ranges, boating access and more.

In addition to the late dove season, several other small game hunting seasons are underway, including quail (Gambel's, scaled), Oct. 18, 2019-Feb. 9, 2020; cottontail rabbit, July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020; chukar, Sept. 1, 2019-Feb. 9, 2020; and tree squirrel (Abert's, Kaibab and Red, excluding Mount Graham red squirrel), Oct. 4, 2019-Dec. 31, 2019. The season for Mearns' quail opens Dec. 6, 2019 and closes Feb. 9, 2020.