Markham credits the guys on the ground for fall dove success. He said the WMA managers and technicians do a terrific job of preparing dove fields. That preparation includes planting crops that doves consider good food, but also keeping in mind edge areas where hunters can conceal themselves from approaching birds. That's what you call thinking about the whole picture. Markham said they have dove fields down to where he's not sure they can get much better unless someone finds a way to control the weather.

Other public opportunities are, of course, available as part of the leasing program. Markham said all of the regions work with private landowners to open fields for public hunting. The agency's Web site lists those private lands as soon as possible, but that's usually only a few days before the Sept. 1 opener.

Nevertheless, he encourages hunters to scout these fields, just as they would scout a WMA. Some are definitely better than others.

"September is by far the most popular hunt and when most fields have been designed to attract birds," Markham said. "October and December can be enjoyable, too, and no doubt are often overlooked. But, there's nothing like Sept. 1st."

Region III
According to the TWRA, the leasing program is paying dividends in Region III. In conjunction with WMA opportunities, these provide many Tennesseans with either a "first choice" option for a hunt, or back-up opportunities in years when their own private fields fail to draw doves.

For top WMA options, hunters should take a look at the success found at Yuchi WMA in Rhea County, Jackson Swamp (where there's usually a pretty good shoot) in Overton County, and Hiwassee Refuge, which usually provides very good dove shooting.

Some of the best of the leased fields in Region III have been found in Marion, Meigs and Rhea counties in recent seasons. When the season does roll around, the agency said hunters should call the regional office or check the Web site for updates on WMAs and leased public lands.

It's been noted in the region that many of the crops that doves depend on are dwindling. Some declining dove populations across the country are also a cause for concern, but the bird populations remain fairly good in Tennessee.

Region IV
Middle and West Tennessee have long been known for better deer hunting than the eastern reaches of the state, but when it comes to dove-shooting opportunities, Region IV may be the cream of the crop.

Region IV wildlife biologist David Brandenburg said WMA managers deserve the credit for making dove hunting a success for hunters. Managers like David Sams at Lick Creek Bottoms and John Mike at Chuck Swan and the guys at Forks of the River WMAs put forth plenty of effort all year long.

Those three WMAs were standout areas last season. On opening day last year, hunters at Lick Creek Bottoms took over 1,000 doves. To be precise, the South Mohawk Field at Lick Creek Bottoms saw 74 hunters harvest 735 doves, while 60 hunters took 328 birds at the Joachim Bible Refuge Field, and an additional 26 doves were harvested at the Fox Gate Field. Likewise, the Chuck Swan shoot saw 580 doves taken home to the grill.

At the Forks of the River WMA, hunters had never harvested more than 200 birds on opening day until last year. The folks that work this WMA placed donated power poles in the field complete with fake power lines to attract birds. The experiment obviously worked because hunters there on the opening day shoot harvested a remarkable 937 doves. Brandenburg said this is an application the TWRA is going to study more completely, and it could be applied to other areas.

Also, Brandenburg credits wildlife officers for their work with area farmers to set up good working relationships with landowners and farmers to find high-quality leased fields for that public opportunity. Wildlife officers spend plenty of time scouting and don't start looking for prime fields until just before the season. Doves could be using a specific field three weeks or more before the hunt opens and then move on to another location as food supplies dwindle.

It's a win-win situation for the TWRA, farmers and hunters. As soon as a good field is acquired, the information is posted almost immediately on the TWRA Web site where hunters can locate the good opportunities. Officers will start to look for viable shoots about two weeks to 10 days before the September opener. He said it's up to hunters to then get out and do their own scouting once a field has been designated for a shoot, if they want the best chance at success.

Brandenburg also said the youth hunt in Monroe County was so successful last year that the agency is looking to add more youth-only hunts at other areas this year. That's just another option they're adding to an already successful leasing program in Region IV.

"We take dove hunting seriously," Brandenburg said. He added the money is already in the budget to lease prime spots this year. Last year, Region IV managers actually exceeded their budget in order to bring more opportunities to hunters. Brandenburg was proud to say that Region IV had more fields available than any other region in the state last season, and he feels the quality of the shoots were probably at the top as well.