Patoka Lake announces dove hunt information

Local Sources- Due to poor sunflower growing conditions locally, wildlife management staff at Patoka Lake will not conduct in-person drawings for controlled mourning dove hunting opportunities this year. Instead, the two sunflower fields on South Ramp Road within Newton-Stewart SRA will be open for mourning dove hunting on a first-come, first-served basis. The routine drawing process for mourning dove hunting opportunities is expected to return in 2023.

Hunters are reminded to procure the proper licenses, stamps, and their federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) number. Hunters are required to sign in at a property hunter check-in station and ensure they have a One-Day Hunting Permit on their person. Hunters are also reminded that they are federally required to use nontoxic shot of size 6 or smaller, in addition to having their firearm plugged so that it can only contain three shells at any time. Regular shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset through the legal season(s).

Hunters should contact Indiana DNR Law Enforcement at 812-837-9536 regarding specific questions on federal or state laws, statutes, and rules. For other information on the controlled hunt, call Patoka Lake at 812-685-2464 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and ask for the wildlife specialist.

Patoka Lake (on.IN.gov/patokalake) is at 3084 N. Dillard Road, Birdseye, IN 47513.