Knowing the migration and movement habits of doves is vital to extending the hunting action. Hunters in the north must follow migrating birds southward to find good success. Then when widespread crop harvest begins, serious scouting becomes practically a necessity if you want to enjoy good shooting.

Doves usually roost in one area and then fly out to other areas for food and water. Locating these travel paths can be one key to hunting success. A hint, especially in the later part of the season, is to look between urban areas and croplands. Each fall, more and more doves are learning to roost in towns and suburban areas. In early morning, they typically fly out to agricultural areas to feed and will then return late in the evening. Hunters can often catch these in-flight birds just outside the urban limits and enjoy good shooting. Many hunters in these situations are beginning to use decoys to attract doves into pass-shooting range. Both stationary and battery-operated decoys can be highly effective at times.

Locating fall food sources is another way to score. As mentioned, crop harvest can really scatter the doves and make hunting large fields really difficult. However, by hunting smaller crop fields -- especially those with good resting trees or power lines nearby -- can lead to many more shooting opportunities.

Obviously, some of the best hunting in the state occurs on private ground. Both managed dove fields and row-crop fields can be great. Luckily, you can often receive permission to hunt for doves easier than for some other species.

Additionally, the DNR has a number of fish and wildlife areas and other lands owned or leased by the DNR that offer good dove hunting. Some 123 sites throughout Illinois offer hunter access during dove season. Many of these have managed sunflower fields and other food plots to attract mourning doves.

We mentioned that doves are a migratory bird and will typically move southward through Illinois during the season. With that in mind, we have divided the state into a northern section, a central section and southern section. The following are a few suggestions for locating public hunting ground in each of these three sections of the state. Keep in mind that there are numerous other locations besides these.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Based on the most recent surveys of public hunting areas, biologist Cole said dove hunters in the northern part of Illinois should target either the Big Bend State Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) or the Silver Springs State FWA. Both of these areas have yielded good results for dove hunters in recent years.

The Big Bend State FWA has 2,338 acres open to hunting, with over 1,100 of those acres being open or cultivated land. Various food plots are scattered around the area, including several planted with sunflowers. Big Bend is open throughout the statewide season, although there is a hunter drawing during the first three days. The statewide bag limit applies. From Sept. 1-5, dove hunting is allowed from noon until 5 p.m. After Sept. 5, hunting is allowed from sunrise to sunset.

Big Bend is located in Whiteside County about four miles west of Prophetstown. The best access is from Van Damme Road or Banks Road. For more information, contact the site superintendent at (815) 537-2270 or (815) 537-2926.

Silver Springs State FWA is in Kendall County near Yorkville. It has about 1,300 total acres and many opportunities for dove hunters. Success has been high in recent seasons. A site permit is required during the first five days of the season. Registration occurs from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., and hunting is allowed from noon until 5 p.m. Vacancies are filled by an 11 a.m. drawing. Hunting is allowed on a first-come, first-served basis from Sept. 6 through Sept. 30. Hunting during this period of the season is allowed from noon until sunset. There are other special regulations at this FWA, so hunters should familiarize themselves with the rules before hunting. Information is available by calling (630) 553-6297.