Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Robert Pritz, 325-672-6048, r-pritz@tamu.edu
ABILENE – With a banner hunting year shaping up thanks to bountiful rains over much of Texas, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is ushering in dove season with a Dove Management Seminar Aug. 6 in Abilene.
The program, to be held at the AgriLife Extension office located on the grounds of the Taylor County Expo Center, will start with registration from 8-8:30 a.m. followed by the classroom portion from 9 a.m.-noon. After a catered lunch, the day will conclude with a tour of the Hailey Ranch.
“This year promises to be one of the best dove seasons we’ve had in ages,” said Robert Pritz, AgriLife Extension agent in Taylor County. “A bonus for dove hunters is late rains have provided an abundance of native vegetation to provide adequate food and cover. These rains have also benefited many food plots that have been planted throughout the region.
“However, much of this seminar will deal with native habitat to include everything from economics to dove habitat assessment.”
Topics and speakers will include:
– Dove Biology and Habitat Management, Dr. John Tomecek, AgriLife Extension wildlife specialist, San Angelo.
– Dove Population Status Update, Hunting Season Forecast, Regulations Explained and Effectiveness of Steel Shot for Dove Hunting, Shaun Oldenburger, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department dove program leader, San Marcos.
– Interpretation of Dove Hunting Laws, Lacy Loudermilk, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game warden, Abilene.
– Public Dove Field Leasing Opportunities, Annaliese Scoggin, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologist, Abilene.
– Economics of Dove Hunting, Bill Thompson, AgriLife Extension economist, San Angelo.
The field tour of the Hailey Ranch will include stops dealing with plant identification, dove habitat assessment and dove field hunter placement.
Registration is free to those who RSVP by Aug. 4 and $10 for those registering at the door. For more information and to RSVP, call the AgriLife Extension office in Taylor County at 325-672-6048.
-30-