Dove season opens in two weeks, and there are steps hunters should take now to make sure they are ready on September 1st.

Hunter education courses must be completed by anyone born on or after January 1, 1961.  The Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Wildlife Resources Division offers three ways to make that happen:  by classroom, CD course or online.  The classroom course and CD course are free of charge.  The three available online courses each require a fee (from $9.95-$24.95), but are "pass or don't pay" courses.  For more information on education go to www.gohuntgeorgia.com/hunting/education or call 770-761-3010.

Hunters also want to make sure the dove field they have or hunt is legal.

The free Migratory Bird Hunting License (HIP) requires all hunters pursuing doves, ducks, geese, rails and other migratory bird species to complete an annual harvest survey.  The license is available online, by phone or at retail license agents across the state, and is provided to the hunter after they report previous year harvest rates.

HIP information can be found at www.gohuntgeorgia.com or by phone at 1-800-366-2661.