Follow the rules for filling out the application very closely because the DNR states: "Late applications or incorrectly filled out application cards will be disqualified. If more than one application card is received, all cards for the same hunter will be disqualified. Photocopied applications or fax applications will not be accepted."

If you're lucky enough to get picked, you'll be assigned a "pick" number, which means you'll be in line with other drawing winners to pick a field based on your pick number.

For example, one year I was given a pick number of seven for the second day of the season at Winamac FWA. This meant that out of the 60 or so hunters who were drawn, I got to pick seventh for which field I wanted to hunt over. Remember, for FWA properties that participate in the Reserved Dove Hunting Program, hunting is limited to reserved hunters for the first two days of the season. However, if you didn't get picked in the drawing and you're feeling very lucky, you can try to get picked for what is called the no-show draw.

Yes, believe it or not, there are some hunters who get picked to hunt in the Reserved Hunting Program who don't show up. To fill their spots a no-show draw is held to "fill up" these spots right after all of the "drawn" hunters are assigned a field.

But all is not lost even if you don't get picked in one or more of the draws. Carlisle noted that even on the third and fourth days of the season the hunting could remain good, but after that it diminishes rapidly. "The birds wise up really quick, and after about three or four days, the bird numbers really drop," he said.

From personal experience I've hunted on the third day of the season and the hunting was still good, but after the third day it's pretty much over with. However, please note that if the number of hunters that show up is greater than the number of available hunting spots on the third day of the season, a draw will be necessary.

For more information on Kingsbury FWA, call (219) 393-3612.

TRI-COUNTY FWA
Tri-County FWA is in Kosciusko and Noble counties and is only a few miles away from Whitley County, hence its name: Tri-County. At 8,300 acres, Tri-County is big. Last year, 1,667 doves were taken at Tri-County.

This FWA is characterized by topography that ranges from mild to steep slopes, and level to rolling upland fields. Tri-County does not participate in the Reserved Hunting Program for doves, but it still is a great place to go dove hunting on public land in Indiana.

The management at Tri-County has recently made some land acquisitions that have improved the dove hunting there. Steve Roth is the property manager at Tri-County and he was excited about these recent developments.

"There are a couple of things that have happened in the last couple of years to improve dove hunting. We've acquired property for two more fields that are five to six miles south of the property, and on those properties the soil is somewhat lighter, which allows us to get on the soil anytime and plant the sunflower seeds," Roth said.

Roth noted that this soil provides for better germination of the seeds and improves the growth process to assure the plants will be "dead ripe" by Sept. 1.

With the addition of the two properties mentioned above there are now seven dove-hunting fields at Tri-County. On these fields about 3 to 5 acres of sunflowers are planted each year.