An unseasonably cool August may have caused challenges for dove hunters in Washington County.

Iowa dove hunting season began September 1 and goes until November 29. Washington County Conservation Director Steve Anderson shares how the season has been so far, “Some hunters are having pretty reasonable success. Others are saying and I think they’re right, some of the doves have already migrated. This was kind of an unusually cool August and so some of the doves actually migrated on down out of the state before dove season ever began this year. So there’s probably some downturn in that. Anyone who’s running around also recognizes that there’s still plenty of doves left in Washington County and in Iowa, but again part of the migration has already occurred.”

Washington County Conservation planted species to attract doves in public hunting areas such as the Clemons Creek and Schmitter Heritage areas. Anderson recommends hunters focus in areas with lots of food and very short vegetation. The next cool spell will likely bring in more northern doves and help those hunters, according to Anderson.