COLUMBUS, OH -- Ohio is joining 25 other states in a national study to better understand the impact of hunting on mourning dove populations, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
The study involves banding doves in 26 states over the next few years. Collected data will help wildlife biologists determine mourning dove harvest rates, estimate annual survival rates, provide information on the geographical distribution of the harvest and develop and refine techniques for a future dove banding program. Efforts of state wildlife agencies in the participating states is coordinated by the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
"The hunter is a critical link in this mourning dove banding study," said Dave Scott, wildlife research administrator with the ODNR Division of Wildlife. "By reporting any banded doves harvested, hunters will help state wildlife agencies manage this important migratory game bird resource. Any hunter who kills a banded mourning dove needs to call 1-800-327-BAND (2263) to report the band number and location where the bird was taken."
Banded birds can also be reported online at pwrc.usgs.gov by selecting the "Bird Banding Lab" link. Hunters can keep the bands and will be provided with a certificate identifying the age, sex, date and location where the bird was banded.
"Because of the importance of mourning doves as a migratory game bird, it is critical that wildlife managers collect good population and harvest data to guide annual management decisions," said Scott. "Information on dove survival and harvest rates is key to understanding the effects of annual hunting regulations on mourning dove populations."
More than 85,000 doves will be banded nationally in the next few years by wildlife biologists throughout the 26-state study area. Doves will receive a metal U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service band inscribed with a set of numbers and a 1-800 telephone number. Banded doves will be released at the point of capture.
Mourning doves are one of the most widely distributed and abundant birds in North America. The mourning dove is also a very popular game bird that is hunted in 36 of the lower 48 states. More individual mourning doves are harvested annually than all other migratory game bird species combined.
On average in Ohio, 50,000 dove hunters annually harvest approximately 300,000 mourning doves. Ohio's dove hunting season has been set for September 1 through October 19, and December 13 through December 23, with a daily limit of 15 birds and possession limit of 30 birds.