DOVE SHOULD BE PLENTIFUL THIS SEASON WINTER WEATHER PRODUCES PERFECT CONDITIONS FOR HUNTING.

Byline: Jim Niemiec Special to the Daily News

VICTORVILLE - Dove hunters can expect excellent gunning in most areas of Southern California thanks to winter rains, which produced lots of natural feed and excellent nesting conditions for mourning and white wing dove.

The foothills, desert areas and valley floors are loaded with dove weed holding good numbers of doves. With plenty of water available, dove hunters should have little trouble in bagging 10-bird limits when the season opens Sept. 1.

Thundershowers in the lower deserts have scattered birds, but the population is so large biologists and guides are not worried about a mass migration to Mexico.

``There are more dove in the High Desert than I have seen in years,'' said Harold Horner of High Desert Guide Service.

``Flocks of dove are piling in all through the valley floor, with high concentrations of birds in the Owens Valley and all the way down to Cajon Summit.

Most of the rain has been spotty and unless the desert areas experience strong winds during the next couple weeks opening day gunning should be awesome.''

High Desert Guide Service will host a special junior hunt opening day and again on Sept. 3. A junior hunter, accompanied by a shooting adult, will be allowed to hunt on private land for free.

``Our program is to encourage more young hunters to get in the field and spend time with their father or mother,'' said Horner.

The southern end of the San Joaquin Valley is holding lots of mourning dove.

The foothills and valley floor are covered in dove weed that is almost ready to drop seeds.

A drive up Highway 99 last week showed tremendous numbers of birds crossing the road just before sunset, a good indication that unposted farm land between Bakersfield and Porterville should offer good shooting.

For hunters who can't get off work for opening morning, guide Bill Sweetser, outfitter for Blue Ridge Guide Service of Porterville, is booking afternoon hunts on a ranch that is loaded with dove.

``The evening flights are strong and hunters can stay over in a local hotel and then shoot the following morning and go home with a possession limit of birds,'' Sweetser said.

``I will be limiting the number of guns in the field to make sure everyone gets plenty of action.''

No dove hunting will be allowed on the Kern Wildlife Refuge, but there is ranch land and state property that adjoins the west boundary of the refuge that will be open to public hunting. Access to the fields is via the Twisselman exit off Interstate 5. Those planning to hunt this area, the refuge will be available to direct hunters to huntable fields.

Many hunters will be making the drive down to the Imperial Valley for the dove opener and perhaps stay through the weekend.

Most of the thundershowers that have hit the region have been concentrated in the southern end of the valley and have not been severe enough to move birds out.

Good dove shooting is expected on the Wister Wildlife Refuge and the upland game bird fields.

``Everything is set for opening day,'' said Adolpho Hernandez, a wildlife specialist at Wister. ``The safflower has been knocked down and there is plenty of fresh water for the doves. Right now we are seeing lots of white-wing dove in the area, but they could be chased out if we are hit with stronger storms and wind. Right now I would say that hunters should walk out of the fields with limits.''

There is no fee for hunting on the Wister state refuge, but hunters must sign in at the check station on Davis Road before hunting.

Another public shooting area that will be open to dove hunting is the San Jacinto Wildlife Refuge near Lakeview.

This state-managed refuge traditionally hosts about 150 shooters with lots of limits taken on opening day.

Hunters need to check in at the hunt booth next to the main office and then head to shooting areas.

Access to dove fields will be permitted this season to those parking off Bridge Street and hiking on to the refuge.

DOVE SEASON FACTS

--The daily bag limit is 10 doves, with a possession limit after the second day of 20 birds.

--White-wing dove can only be shot in Imperial, San Bernardino and Riverside counties and in Arizona and Mexicali.

--Hunters must have a valid hunting license and those over the age of 16 must have an Upland Game Bird stamp on their license.

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DOVE SEASON FACTS