GLASGOW, Mont. (NMB) – Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife biologist Ryan Williamson is once again in the full swing of trapping and banding mourning doves in the Outlook area, which is a popular game bird with Montana hunters, especially in September.
A press release says mourning doves are one of the most widely distributed and abundant birds in North America and are also a popular game bird. As part of an effort to estimate population size, harvest rates and regulations, mourning doves are banded through the U.S., including in Montana’s Region 6.
Banding mourning doves is the primary method to estimate population size and harvest rates for the species. Band numbers reported by hunters help to manage the bird.
Because some bands are very small, hunters can easily overlook them. Williamson reminds hunters to carefully check all harvested doves and waterfowl for the presence of a leg band.
