By Gary Mitchell | Special to the Advertiser

Dove season opens in Alabama, and Chilton County, at noon on Sept. 12.

All days after Sept. 12, hunting is legal one half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Hunters establishing their own field should be sure it meets the requirements for being legal in the state of Alabama by visiting www.fws.gov/le/what-is-legal.html.

There are several pay-to-shoot places throughout the county, and information is usually posted at local gas stations as well as local farm and feed stores in the Chilton County area.

Those who were born on or after Aug. 1, 1977, must complete a hunter safety course, and there are still places to get in on a class by going to www.eregulations.com/alabama/2015-hunter-education-class-schedule/.

There are none scheduled for Chilton County at this time, but there are several neighboring counties that will offer the course.

State to hold hunting lands lease auctions

A public auction of hunting leases will be held on certain state-owned lands on Sept. 18.

This will be conducted at the State of Alabama Agriculture and Industries Auditorium, Richard Beard Building, 1445 Federal Drive, Montgomery.

More information is online at www.outdooralabama.com.

There are currently two tracts of land in Chilton County that will go up for bid.

One tract contains 80 acres, and the second contains 160 acres.

These state lands are being auctioned off for the hunting lease for the 2015-16 hunting season.

These may be of particular interest if they already border a current lease, or to possibly add and provide additional hunting opportunities to personal land for opportunities for residents.