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Commission reviews multiple proposals to change hunting proclamations; staff told to revert dove change for further work
Summary
Staff presented proposals affecting quail, wild turkey, dove seasons, expanded doe days in 21 counties and a revised muzzleloader definition. Commissioners debated the south-zone dove proposals and directed staff to revert to the original dove proposal and return for additional review; other items were placed on Thursday's agenda for public comment.
Shaun Oldenburger (small game program director) and Blaise Korzekwa (white-tail deer program leader) presented a package of proposed changes to the statewide hunting and migratory-game-bird proclamations.
Key proposals included aligning quail season dates, removing unbearded-hen harvest statewide for wild turkey to protect breeding females, and changes to the migratory-game-bird proclamation including two alternative south-zone dove-season calendars (one would open Sept. 1). Oldenburger summarized public comment volumes for each proposal and said most proposals had strong agreement from early commenters.
Korzekwa described two big-game proposals: expanding the four-day doe season to a proposed 16-day season in 21 counties (bag limit and mandatory harvest reporting to remain) and modernizing the definition of "muzzleloader" to include new self-contained powder-charge technology used in other states.
Commission discussion focused on dove-season timing. Several commissioners, including Patton and Doggett, urged caution about removing January dove days and recommended more time for stakeholder engagement; Chair Foster directed staff to pull the dove proposal from Thursday's agenda and return with the original proposal (the "traditional" second-segment dates) so the commission and public can consider alternatives with more analysis. Staff will present the revised dove proposal at the Thursday meeting and continue federal-regulatory review for zone/split flexibility.
Staff requested and received permission to place other items (quail, turkey, doe days, muzzleloader definition) on the Thursday agenda for public comment and potential action.
