MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Knowledge of how to plant and manage a legal dove field in Mississippi can put hunters ahead of the game as mourning dove season approaches.

Two Dove Field Demonstrations and Wildlife Field Days will be held in August. The first will be at Mississippi State University’s Pontotoc Ridge-Flatwoods Experiment Station on Aug. 11 and the second at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Newton on Aug. 18.

“These field days are designed for landowners, hunters, or anyone interested in making their land more attractive to wildlife,” said Adam Tullos, natural resource enterprises associate with MSU’s Extension Service.

Sponsored by the MSU Extension Service, MSU’s Natural Resource Enterprise program, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the field days, which will take place from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at each event, will be held on actively managed sites.

Professional wildlife biologists and wildlife officers will be on hand to instruct and answer questions about migratory bird management and hunting restrictions related to mourning doves and other migratory birds.

“Wildlife biologists from MSU and enforcement officials from MDWFP and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have come together to make these field days an informative, but enjoyable event,” Tullos said.  “These professionals will describe ways to plant, manage and manipulate agricultural crops and native vegetation to entice migratory birds while providing excellent hunting opportunities for those planning to engage in dove hunting this fall.”

For further information about these events or to register, please contact the local county Extension offices or visit the Natural Resource Enterprise Web site.