"We're stable overall with an abundance of doves, but how well hunters do overall hinges on how many of the birds show up, and that is tied very closely to the weather and available crops for them to feed on," Markham said. "We lease private fields in addition to our WMAs.

Sometimes they are really good and sometimes not so good. Last year, we had drought situations to deal with here in the region. In some cases, that meant fewer doves, and in others, it meant that grain that wasn't worth harvesting went to the birds. You never really know which way it will go. Leased fields generally produce some of the hottest spots while we can't be sure that they will be available or productive on an annual basis."

The TWRA also waits until the last minute to lease the fields to make sure that good places are accessible. The leased fields are listed along with all WMAs on the TWRA Web site. There is a dove page with a map broken down by regions (I, II, III and IV) at www.tnwildlife.org. If you have trouble finding the information, type "dove hunting" in the site's search box.

"WMAs where we have hunts -- and usually good ones -- include: Yanahli, Williamsport, AEDC, Percy Priest, Cheatham Lake WMA, Laurel Hill and Old Hickory. All of these have good track records. You can check details on the Web site for size of fields and find out what has been planted there whether it is wheat, corn, milo, millet, etc. One reason that the WMA hunts usually produce good numbers of birds and quality shooting is that the managers and technicians assigned to the areas spend a lot of time picking the right crops, then preparing them properly. Be sure and check out the WMA specifics. Some are first come, first served, while a few require a hunter's presence for a drawing to determine shooting location."

Markham added that since the Region II birds are not checked in, the total harvest numbers are not available, although at present, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is requiring a number of birds to be banded each summer, and the data will be tabulated at the end of the upcoming season.

Region III
The Cumberland Plateau area still has viable dove shooting, according to TWRA biologist March Lipner. The bird population remains mostly stable, but the number of people and their imprint is something quite different. Land development is a cause for concern, especially as it causes habitat to fragment or disappear entirely.

Most of the 25 WMAs that offer anything other than specialized hunting are open to the dove hunter, but sportsmen should check with their preferred management area within a week or two before the first day of hunting. Predictions of bird densities before that are extremely difficult to make, although there will be food plots in place that the birds will be using. In this area, hunter information is critical for a successful hunt.

Leased fields that usually offer good shooting should be available in Marion Meigs and Rhea counties at least. It is always good advice to check the TWRA Web site, but you might learn as much locally, and much closer to "real time" by checking with local sporting goods stores where hunters are prone to hang out and stock up on ammo. Word of mouth remains one of the best resources for the sportsman, and unlike the location of a big buck or gobbler, or where you are sure to find grouse, folks don't seem to mind talking about fields with plenty of doves to go around.