In a state that provides as diverse a list of hunting opportunities as West Virginia, it only makes sense to organize the options into some game plan of sort. The many hunting options are a direct reflection of the varied habitat found in our state. Naturally, the mountainous, forested terrain comes to mind, and the chances to hunt forest species, such as white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey, come to mind.

But the Mountain State has much more to offer. The fertile valleys that drain rivers like the Ohio and Kanawha provide ideal habitat for farm game species, such as cottontail rabbits. They are also corridors for waterfowl, so options to hunt ducks and geese also abound. Squirrel hunting is a treasured, traditional pastime in our state, and there are many venues from which to choose. Though ruffed grouse numbers have been low in recent years, there is still something special about the anticipation that comes with approaching a covert that has held birds in the past.

With this in mind, West Virginia Game & Fish presents its 2006 annual hunting calendar. During some months, such as November and December, a variety of options exist. Just because your favorite species may not be highlighted does not mean it is a poor choice. Space only allows for the mention of so many prospects.

SEPTEMBER
Hillcrest WMA: Mourning Doves
Though the air temperatures may seem more like summer than fall, September ushers in a host of new season hunting choices. The September list of options is a rather short one. You can chase resident geese in a variety of venues. You can pursue a more traditional choice, like starting things off with a Labor Day dove hunt. The Hillcrest Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Hancock County is a good place to set up such a public-land hunt.

Hillcrest WMA is located in the northern tip of the state's Northern Panhandle. The entire Northern Panhandle is but a sliver of country that lies along the eastern side of the Ohio River. While the region boasts its share of industry, there is also a fair amount of farmland.

The Hillcrest WMA covers 2,212 acres. Whereas many of our state's WMAs and federal public lands are composed mostly of forestland, the Hillcrest tract is made up largely of reverting farmland. A hunter can expect to find a mixture of old farm fields, croplands and scattered wood lots. The lay of the land varies from that of flat bottomlands to slopes that rise up to elevations of 1,000 to 1,200 feet.

Mourning doves are fairly predicable creatures, making daily flights between feeding and roosting areas. In that they tend to roost in open areas such as dead trees and on power lines, finding concentrations of birds is rarely a problem. A pre-hunt scouting trip should reveal locations that the birds are using. Corn and grain fields are typical feeding areas. Doves need grit to digest their food, so dirt roads that provide gravel are another important ingredient in locating doves. Add to that the need for water and you've covered the basics.