Utah's first hunting season of the fall begins Sept. 1 with the dove opener.

The mourning dove and white-winged dove hunts open first because the birds begin migrating as the days grow shorter.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources officials report a 13 percent decline in the number of doves spotted during surveys this spring. Dove numbers across the West were reported down by 2 percent, which means Utah's number may have been low because birds were still making their way here.

Dove hunters need a license and a national Harvest Information Program (HIP) number before heading out. Register for a HIP at www.uthip.com. Hunters should also obtain and read regulations in the 2008-09 Utah Upland Game Guidebook before hitting the field.