WV DNR News Release
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Joe Manchin III, Governor
Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release: August 18, 2010

 Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-2003 ext. 365 hoy.r.murphy@wv.gov

Contact:

Curtis Taylor, Wildlife Resources Section 304-558-2771 dnr.wildlife@wv.gov

2010 Season Dates Established for Mourning Dove, Woodcock, Snipe and Rail

            SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia’s 2010 hunting season dates and bag limits for mourning dove, woodcock, common snipe, and sora and Virginia rails have been set, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. These seasons are set within guidelines established annually by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Species

Dates

  Daily Limit

Possession Limit

Mourning Dove
(3-way split)

Sept. 1 – Oct. 9
Oct. 25  – Nov. 13
Dec. 22  – Jan. 1

15

30

Woodcock 

Oct. 22 – Nov. 20

3

6

Common Snipe 

Sept. 1 – Dec. 11

8

16

Sora & Virginia Rails 

Sept. 1 – Nov. 6

25

25

            Shooting hours for dove are from noon to sunset on Sept. 1, 2010 (opening day of the first segment) and from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset, prevailing time, for the remainder of the season. Shooting hours for rails, woodcock and snipe are from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

            All licensed migratory bird hunters, including lifetime license holders and senior citizens, must also have a valid Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration card. HIP registration is available free at all license outlets.

            Banded birds should be reported by calling 1-800-327-2263 or online at www.reportband.gov.

            West Virginia’s 2010-2011 Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations brochure should be available from license agents and DNR offices in late August and can be viewed at the WVDNR website at www.wvdnr.gov/hunting/PDFFiles/2010migratoryBirdRegs.pdf.

**DNR**