Patoka Lake hosts controlled dove hunts, Sept. 1-2

Patoka Lake will conduct two in-person drawings for controlled dove hunts on one sunflower field on Sept. 1 and 2.

The hunts will take place at Lick Fork State Recreation Area. They are limited to one sunflower field this year because heavy rains at planting time resulted in poor growing conditions.

Drawings will be held at 6:30 a.m. EDT both days at the Lick Fork SRA Hunter Check Station #3 parking area, about 0.4 miles east on E. Lick Fork Marina Road from State Road 545. Hunters should be aware that 10 groups or less are expected to be drawn, and there is a maximum of two hunters per stake.

Hunting hours for drawn hunters will be from 7:15 a.m. to noon EDT. All fields surrounding the controlled sunflower field will have similar time restrictions. There will be no “stand-by” or refilling of shooting stations for early departures. The field will be closed after noon each day.

Fields will be considered “open hunting” starting Sunday, Sept. 3. Shooting hours will be one-half-hour before sunrise to sunset.

Hunters must purchase the proper licenses and stamps, and possess a harvest information program (HIP) number.

New this year, hunters at Patoka Lake will be limited to 50 shells, except for youth hunters, ages 17 and younger, who are limited to 75 shells. Hunters must use non-toxic shot of size 6 or smaller, and they must plug their shotgun so that it can only contain three shells.

Dove hunters seeking a non-draw hunt can find three fields totaling approximately 20 acres in Newton-Stewart SRA. Enter through the Patoka Lake main gate and travel along the main road (CR 1075 W) about 1.5 miles. Park in the gravel area on the left-hand side of the road. Hunters are encouraged to wear blaze orange vests and hats.

For more information, call (812) 685-2464.