LEGAL PLANTING DATES

Hunting doves over fields planted in late summer or fall is legal provided that the field has been planted as part of a normal agricultural operation. Normal agricultural operation implies a planting that is conducted in accordance with the official recommendations of the university of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service. Aerial or top sowing of small grains without covering the seed is not a recommended practice by the UGA Cooperative Extension Service. Dove hunting over a field planted by top sowing is illegal. Normal plantings do not involve placement of grains in piles or other concentrations. The application rate guideline recommended for all small grains (wheat, rye, barley, oats) planted for crop or forage production is 1.5 to 2.5 bushels per acre.

Small grains and canola planted within the range of dates listed below are official recommended pratcices of the UGA Cooperative Extension Service. Hunters may not hunt doves over or around late summer/fall planted fields if the plantings are outside of the following dates: 

Taylor County is in Piedmont zone. 

Region	Small Grains*	Canola**
Mountains	9/1 - 11/15	N/A
Piedmont	9/15 - 12/1	9/15 - 12/1
Coastal	10/1 - 12/15	10/1 - 12/15

*   Small grains include wheat, rye, oats, and barley.
** Planting canola in the mountain region of Georgia is not considered a practical agricultural pratice.