Registration begins next Monday, Aug. 16, for the mentor/youth dove hunts on Saturday, Sept. 4. Those interested in reserving a slot must call 1-800-858-1549 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time between Aug. 16 and Aug. 27 to register.

The mentor/youth dove hunts lend an opportunity for adult mentors to introduce youth aged 15 years and under to the joy of a productive early season dove hunt. 

Dove season opens Sept. 1 and closes Oct. 24 for the first segment. The second segment of dove season opens Nov. 25 and runs until Dec. 3. The third segment opens Jan. 1 and closes Jan. 7, 2011.

The mentor/youth hunts are popular and those wanting slots should register early. One adult mentor may take two youths to these hunts. Hunter education and licensing requirements apply to those participating in the mentor/youth dove hunts.

Shooting hours run from 2 to 7 p.m. Sept. 4. Mentor/youth dove fields are closed Sept. 1 – 3. Mentor/youth fields located on wildlife management areas are open to public hunting Sept. 5 through Oct. 24. Fields located on private land are open to public hunting Sept. 6 and open again Sept. 11 through Oct. 24.

For more information on the mentor/youth dove hunts, consult the Kentucky Hunting Guide for Dove, Wood Duck, Teal, Woodcock, Snipe and Crow available on the Internet at fw.ky.gov and also soon available in booklet form wherever hunting licenses are sold.

This year’s mentor/youth dove fields:

Western Kentucky:

• Marshall County – Clark’s River National Wildlife Refuge: 60 acres: Closed to public hunting until Sept. 13. Mentor/youth dove hunts on Sept. 4, 5, 11 and 12. Field opens to public hunting Sept. 13 through Oct. 24.  Directions: From Draffenville, take U.S. 68 for about 8 miles to a left onto Sharp Elva Rd. (just before Sharp Elementary School) for 3.5 miles to the field on both sides of the road.

West-Central Kentucky:

• Union County – Higginson-Henry WMA: Two fields, see maps at kiosk. One field marked by signs closed Sept. 1-3 for mentor/youth dove hunt Sept. 4.  Directions: Hwy. 56, about 7 miles south of Morganfield.

Central Kentucky:

• Grant County –  Curtis Gates Lloyd WMA: Three fields; fields 2 and 3 closed Sept. 1-3 for mentor/youth dove hunt Sept. 4. Directions: Take Crittenden exit from I-75, follow U.S. 25 south to KY 491, turn left across railroad tracks, then right onto Wildlife Rd.
• Madison County – Blue Grass Army Depot: Reserved for mentor/youth hunt Sept. 6. Advance application and background check required, call 1-800-858-1549 for more details.  Directions: U.S. 421 south of Richmond.
• Washington County – 20 acres: Closed Sept. 1-3 and Sept. 5 for mentor/youth hunt Sept. 4. Directions: Field lies 0.5 miles south of Fredericktown, two miles from U.S. 150 on Burg Hill Rd., off Short Creek Rd.

 Southeastern Kentucky:

• Green County –  20 acres: Closed Sept. 1-3 and Sept. 5 for mentor/youth hunt Sept. 4.  Directions: U.S. 68/70 south from Greensburg about 6 miles, turn right onto KY 318 for 2 miles, then left onto Roy Bagby Rd. Fields at end of road.
• Lincoln County – 20 acres: Closed Sept. 1-3 and Sept. 5 for mentor/youth dove hunt Sept. 4. Directions: From Stanford, take U.S. 150 southeast for 6 miles to Cedar Creek Lake. After crossing Cedar Creek Lake dam on U.S. 150, turn left onto Sportsman’s Lane for 0.3 miles to parking area at Cedar Creek Sportsman’s Club.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet.  For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.