SOCIAL CIRCLE — Opening day of the statewide dove season traditionally is considered the beginning of the fall hunting season.

The state’s dove season opened Sept. 1, and with numerous wildlife management area hunts scheduled, it is the perfect opportunity to introduce children and grandchildren to the sport.

The official 2012-2013 dove seasons are Sept. 1-16, Oct. 13-21 and Nov. 22-Jan. 5. Shooting hours are noon until sunset on opening day and one-half hour before sunrise to sunset for the remainder of the dates.

The daily bag limit is 15 doves per hunter. White-winged doves may be harvested but count toward the daily bag limit of 15. Any autoloading or other repeating shotgun must be plugged to hold no more than three shotshells while hunting doves.

Dove hunters 16 years of age and older must possess a Georgia hunting license and a free migratory bird harvest information program permit. For more information on the HIP permit or the federal program, contact a Wildlife Resources Division Game Management office or call 770-918-6416.

When hunting on a WMA, hunters also must possess a WMA license. Hunters may purchase licenses at www.georgiawildlife.com, by calling 1-800-366-2661 or visiting license-agent locations. The list of agents is available online.