STATE GAME LANDS NO. 226
Tim Conway, the Northeast Region's Information and Education supervisor, said that here as elsewhere, the better dove-hunting potential is on private land. But for dove hunting on public land, hunters should focus on the Columbia-Montour county area.

"The best that we might have is State Game Lands No. 226," he suggested. "There's a lot of farmland down in that neck of the woods."

SGL No. 226 is tucked into an eastern corner of Columbia County northeast of White Hall. Approaching from the east, take Interstate Route 80 to Exit 232 between Bloomsburg and Buckhorn.

Go north on either state Route 42, which passes to the east of the game lands, or state Route 44, which passes to the west of the game lands.

From Route 42 at Iola, turn on Legion Road into the SGL. From Route 44, turn onto Ants Hill Road into the game lands. Several other roads lead into the game lands from Route 44 and Route 42 or from state Route 254, which connects the two between Millville and Jerseytown.

It's safe to say that more shots are fired at doves than at any other game bird. Just park near a dove field on opening day and listen for a while!

SGL No. 226 is managed for small game. Although very little is done specifically to enhance dove shooting in Pennsylvania, there is plenty of crossover habitat, including open fields and food plots containing corn and sorghum.

The food plots are small due to funding and manpower limitations, but they do attract some doves.

The key to dove-hunting here will be determining flight patterns over the game lands that include roosting sites, graveling area or watering holes.

STATE GAME LANDS NO. 169
Harrisburg-area dove hunters will find good hunting a short distance to the west at SGL No. 169 in Cumberland County.

"This area has about 1,000 acres planted to warm-season grasses," said Rob Criswell, the South-central Region's Land Management supervisor. "There's also a scattering of evergreens and woodlots. There are sharecroppers on the game lands who plant a rotation of corn, small grains and hay."

SGL No. 169 lies in the western part of Cumberland County near Newville. Approaching from the Harrisburg area, follow I-81 west to Exit 37, head north on state Route 233 to Newville, go west on state Route 641 and then turn north onto Mountain Road into the game lands.

SGL No. 169 covers 2,498 acres of gentle terrain. Its mixed habitat includes numerous food plots. Hunters should avoid designated propagation areas along Conodoguinet Creek.

Information may be obtained through the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau, 18 North Hanover Street, Suite 102, Carlisle, PA 17013. Or call 1-888-513-5130, or visit the agency at www.visitcumberlandvalley.com.

LAKE ONTELAUNEE
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has a standing agreement with the city of Reading at Lake Ontelaunee in the Southeast Region, where some good dove hunting may be found.

This area covers 2,050 acres around the lake and is owned by the city. Chuck Lincoln, a Law Enforcement supervisor for the region and a former WCO in the Ontelaunee area, said the area has had sorghum and corn in the past, and also has been planted with conifers, which provide nesting and roosting cover. Nearby quarries provide the necessary grit.

The area lies south of state Route 662 west of Maidencreek Road, north of state Route 73 and east of Ontelaunee Drive and West Shore Drive.

Approaching from the Allentown area, take U.S. Route 222 to Maiden Creek and Route 73. From Philadelphia, follow U.S. Route 422 to Reading and then state Route 61 to Route 73. Side roads lead to the area.

Information on services in the area may be obtained from the Greater Reading Convention and Visitors Bureau, 352 Penn Street, Reading, PA 19602. Call 1-800-443-6610, or log on to www.readingberkspa.com.

For information about dove-hunting opportunities in Pennsylvania, contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797. You can visit the commission's Web site at www.pgc.state.pa.us, or call (717) 787-4250.

For travel information, contact the Pennsylvania Office of Tourism, Room 404, Forum Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120. Or call 1-800-VISIT-PA (847-4872).