Many hunters put away their dove loads and shotguns after opening weekend, thinking the good hunting has flown south for the year.

Dove banding studies conducted by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources since 2003 show approximately one-third of the banded doves are taken by hunters on opening day. Another third of these banded birds are taken by the end of opening weekend.

However, some of the best dove hunting of the year occurs when most hunters are in pursuit of resident Canada geese and wood ducks, or deer with a bow. Good hunting is still ahead of us this fall.