Outdoors

Dove season continues this weekend in both the North and Central zones with what should be the second opening day.

Because the season opened on Monday and a holiday, some hunters decided to wait until this weekend to get started. Others hunted Monday only and will be returning for a weekend hunt.

The good news for hunters is that the season got off to a much better start this year than last, but then again that isn't saying much. Most outfitters referred to opening day as above-average, but the hunting seemed to get better farther north.

The bad news is this week's cold front may have sent some birds packing south.

After years of a build-up in whitewings in the bag, the trend early seemed to swing back toward mourning dove in Central Texas this year. Outfitters can't put a finger on why, saying that whitewing numbers still seem to be strong in many cities and smaller towns.

The season in the North Zone remains open until Oct. 30. The daily bag limit is 15.

The Central Zone season will also be open until Oct. 30, and then again Dec. 26-Jan. 4. The daily bag limit is 12.

The South Zone opens Sept. 20-Nov. 9 and again Dec. 26-Jan. 13. The limit there is also 12 birds per day.

This is also the first weekend of hunting in the Special Whitewing Area of the state. Once a popular destination for hunters, the South Texas area has lost its luster with the expansion of whitewings throughout the remainder of the state.

Rose Country Retriever Club meeting, 7 p.m., Monday, Papacitas, 6704 S. Broadway, Tyler.

Managing Small Acreage for Wildlife seminar, 8:30 a.m., Sept. 13, The Nature Center, 11942 Farm to Market 848. Topics will include: Wild Turkey Research and Management in East Texas, Converting Ag Tax Valuation to Wildlife Tax Valuation, Antler Restriction Hunting Regulations, Small Pond Management, How to Manage Your Wetlands, Native Grassland Restoration Practices, Feral Hog Control, Establishing Wildscapes and Timber Management.

To register or receive more information, call 903-566-1626, ext. 220, before Sept. 10.

Whitehouse Ducks Unlimited banquet, 6 p.m., Sept. 23, Tyler's Oil Palace, call Chad Smotherman at 903-780-0990, Charlie Martin at 903-894-6051 or Mike Craig at 903-571-2256.

-- Steve Knight