Mentor-youth dove Hunt sign-ups

Registration for Kentucky's mentor-youth dove hunts opens on Monday, Aug.12.

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources conduct these hunts for adults wishing to introduce dove hunting to youth. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife limits the number of participants to avoid overcrowding and the consequent safety issues.

Hunters interested in reserving a space for these unique hunts must register by calling Kentucky Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-858-1549 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Hunting reservations will not be accepted prior to Aug. 12. The 2013-2014 fall Kentucky Hunting and Trapping Guide had an incorrect date listed for the registration period for these mentor/youth dove hunts.

Limited spaces are allotted on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is open through Aug. 23, or whenever all the slots are filled. Most mentor-youth hunts will be held this year on Sunday, Sept. 1, the opening day of dove season statewide. Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge will conduct mentor/youth hunts on Sept. 1, 7, and 8. These fields open to public hunting Sept. 9.

The mentor-youth dove hunts offer adults an opportunity to initiate youth aged 15 years and under into the enjoyment of an early season dove hunt. Each adult may take one or two youths. Hunter education and licensing requirements apply to those participating in these hunts.

Hunting hours run from 2 to 7 p.m., local time on Sept. 1. Hunters must be out of the field by 7:30 p.m. Hunt groups must check in prior to hunting and check out prior to leaving the field with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife staff members.

Mentor-youth fields located on private land are open to public hunting on Sept. 4. These fields then close to all hunting Sept. 5-6; they open again to public hunting Sept. 7 through Oct. 24.

Mentor-youth fields located on wildlife management areas (WMAs) are open to public hunting on Labor Day, Sept. 2, through Oct. 24.

For more information on the mentor-youth dove hunts, consult the 2013 Kentucky Hunting Guide for Dove, Wood Duck, Teal, Woodcock, Snipe and Crow. This guide is 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 include:

Union County, Higginson-Henry WMA:

Directions: KY 56, about 7 miles southeast of Morganfield.

Grant County, Curtis Gates Lloyd WMA:

Directions: Take Crittenden exit off I-75 and follow U.S. 25 south to KY 491, turn left across railroad tracks, then right on Wildlife Road.

Leslie County, Redbird WMA:

Directions: From Hyden, take U.S. 421 North/West 80 for roughly six miles to the Redbird WMA entrance. Turn left on Redbird WMA Forestry Rd. 1533 for about 5 miles to field.

Lincoln County, private field:

Directions: From Stanford, travel north on U.S. 27 for 0.16 mile to a left on to KY 590 for about 1.5 miles to a gravel lane that leads to marked parking area and field.

McCracken County, Clark's River National Wildlife Refuge:

Mentor/Youth Hunts on Sept. 1, 7, and 8 and opens to public hunting on Sept. 9.

Directions: From Symsonia, take KY 131 north for a little over 2 miles to fields on left marked by signs. U.S.F.W.S. approved non-toxic shot required for all dove hunting on this area.

Washington County, private field:

Directions: From U.S. 150 at Fredericktown, take Short Creek Road to Burg Hill Road.