Introduction

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The mourning dove is the most hunted migratory game bird in Georgia.  Federal and state laws prohibit hunting migratory game birds over baited areas. What constitutes baiting for mourning doves occasionally has been a source of confusion for hunters, farmers and land managers. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) , in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension Service, developed this information in an effort to clarify agricultural practices as they relate to baiting. This information also provides tips and strategies for successfully and legally attracting mourning doves.

A "normal" practice or operation is one conducted in accordance with official recommendations of state Extension Specialists of the Cooperative Extension Service of the US Dept. of Agriculture. In Georgia, these are the UGA Cooperative Extension Service Extension Agronomists, NOT the county extension agent. Agricultural lands often provide excellent dove hunting opportunities. The key to hunting doves legally in Georgia is understanding the differences between baiting and  normal agricultural operation.