Dove hunters can apply in person for permission to hunt a sunflower field at Patoka Lake’s Jackson State Recreation Area on Sept. 1 and 2.

Property staff will conduct drawings each day at 6:30 a.m. ET at the Jackson SRA check station #5 parking area. This parking area is on Orange County Road 725-S, 0.3 miles west of County Road 1075-W. 

The property expects to draw about 10 groups each day, and there is a maximum of two hunters per stake. Hunting hours for drawn hunters at Patoka Lake run from 7:15 a.m. to noon ET. All fields surrounding controlled sunflower field will be subject to the same time restrictions.

There will be no “standby” or refilling of shooting stations for early departures on Sept. 1 or 2. The field will closed after noon on each day.

Fields will be considered “open hunting” starting Sept. 3. Shooting hours will be one-half-hour before sunrise to sunset.

Hunters must purchase the proper licenses and stamps, and possess a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number.

New this year, dove hunters at Patoka Lake will be limited to 50 shells, except for youth hunters, ages 17 and younger, who are limited to 75 shells. Hunters must use non-toxic shot of size 6 or smaller. The shotgun must be plugged so that it can only contain three shells.

Dove hunters seeking a non-draw hunt can find three fields totaling approximately 9 acres within Jackson SRA. To find them from State Road 145, turn west on C.R. 675-S. C.R. 675-S will merge with C.R. 825-W. Continue southwest on C.R. 825-W for a half-mile. The field will be on the south side of the road. Hunters are encouraged to wear blaze orange vests and hats for safety because other hunters may be in the fields.

For more information call, 812-685-2464 and ask to speak to the wildlife specialist.

Patoka Lake (stateparks.IN.gov/2953.htm) is at 3084 N. Dillard Road, Birdseye, IN 47513.

To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.

Media contact: Brian Finch, wildlife specialist, Patoka Lake, 812-685-2464, bfinch@dnr.IN.gov.