Okay, this issue is not all about doves, but that’s where we’ll start.

The season opener kicks off Sept. 1 and coincides with Labor Day this year. This year should prove to be one to be remembered, for two significant reasons: rain and grain. Don’t miss the dove hunting outlook article by Rory Aikens to find out where the birds are. However, before you get there – check out the recipe for dove kabobs. If you thought the fast pace of shooting doves was the best part of the season, wait until you try this recipe.

You’ll also find a variety of other articles in this newsletter.

We received a great spring turkey success story. Read how this young hunter found his way into the outdoors – by the sounds of the story, he’s hooked. This is a shining example of how important mentors and juniors-only programs are for the future of hunting and wildlife management.

The good news is, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission just made some significant changes to the 2009 spring hunt regulations. Junior hunters can now purchase over-the-counter spring and fall turkey tags. There are many other improvements, too; be sure to check out the “Commission takes steps…” article.

For hunters who use OHVs, you should be aware that new rules and regulatrions will take effect on Jan. 1, 2009. See Jim Harken’s article for the latest OHV developments.

Getting back to the kids, there are some great juniors’ opportunities to take to the field this fall. Right now, there are plenty of juniors-only fall javelina tags left over. The department is going to host a few javelina workshops in mid-September to help these young hunters get started in the right direction. Be sure to read game specialist Jim Heffelfinger’s tips for hunting fall javelina – this guy knows his stuff.

Be sure to mark your calendar for Oct. 10-11 for a trip to the pine trees for a hands-on hunting workshop. The Pinetop regional office is hosting the event to teach youngsters and new hunters how to hunt tree squirrels. This event always proves to be a fun and exciting weekend. Find out all the details and how to register in Bruce Sitko’s article “Workshop teaches introduction to hunting.”

As you can see, there are a ton of options for getting into the outdoors. For more dates and events, check out the Sportsman’s Planning Calendar and the many other sidebar topics.

Until next time, happy hunting and be safe.

By Doug Burt, public information officer, AGFD