The 2023-2024 hunting and fishing regulations are out now, hot off the press and State Game Warden Mike France says there are no major changes.
France is assigned to Pottawatomie County and also assists in Lincoln County when needed. Jacob Harriet is the warden assigned to Lincoln County.
The dove season opened last Friday, Sep. 1. France indicated as we were talking briefly that doves are spotty around here but he’s heard it should be pretty good out in the western part of the state.
Through my lifetime I’ve been able to experience a lot of good dove hunts. I’ve been shooting at doves for more than 65 years and I still believe they are probably the most difficult game bird to down.
That’s because they are capable of flying so fast, they are so quick and so shifty, changing directions in a second’s notice.
I’ve hunted doves in 100 plus degree heat, when it’s raining and when the wind has blown so hard I’ve asked myself what’s the use of being out here.
But for me, dove season signals something larger. It’s the beginning of the fall hunting seasons and for more than 60 years I’ve hunted quail and ducks and for about 40 years hunted turkey.
I think the fall is a great time to be in the woods. Unfortunately, the last few years my dove hunting has not only been lousy, it’s been downright terrible, especially the last couple of seasons.
I’m hoping if and when I get out this season, it greatly improves.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, I haven’t hunted turkey or qual since November of 2020. I hope I can change that too.
I don’t think I’ve missed out on a lot though. From what I’ve heard, and the reports I’ve seen, both quail and turkey at least have dropped since the last time I’ve had the opportunity to hunt them.
What I enjoy, too, about the hunting seasons is that it provides a time for camaraderie which I have spoken of many times previously in this column. Whether it be with my brother-in-law, cousins or good friends, that is what makes it all worthwhile.
For me, that began with my dad and a close friend of his. My dad hasn’t been with us since he passed away more than 35 years ago.
But even when he was alive, it expanded to my brother, who also died 25 years ago, an uncle and plenty of cousins along with close friends throughout my lifetime.
I can honestly say that all of the times I’ve hunted in my life, the hunting success has outweighed those times when it wasn’t that great. But, that’s why we call it hunting.