And don't forget about Stockton Lake ML, between the Big Sac and Little Sac arms. It's owned by the U.S. Corps of Engineers but managed by the MDC. Some years it'll produce; some, it won't. You'll never know unless and until you give it a try.

For details on these areas or others in the Southwest Region call (417) 895-6880, or check the MDC Web site.

KANSAS CITY REGION
Hunters living in the Kansas City Region are a lucky lot, as several top public areas are in the region to facilitate their hunting pleasure. According to regional wildlife management biologist Kevin Slates, one of the best is the James A. Reed Memorial Wildlife Area. He reports that in 2004, 3,000 mourning doves were killed here -- approximately 1,200 of them on opening day alone.

Reed is in Jackson County, south of Highway 50 near Lee's Summit. Only about 100 acres of sunflowers are on this one, and maybe another 50 or so of wheat. The fields run the length of the WA from north to south. Most are in the central portion of the land.

Reed gets a lot of hunting pressure, so all hunts are managed. Typically, hunters check in at the area office and are assigned a field. If all the slots are filled, the manager will assign you a spot as soon as an earlier hunter leaves. If you want to hunt here, you'd better get up early, though. According to Slates, it's not unusual for hunters to wait nine, 10 or even 12 hours for one of the coveted afternoon hunting slots. Reed, happily, is worth the wait.

As the season progresses, the hunting pressure shifts towards Platte Falls and Settle's Ford CAs. The former is in Platte County off I-29 near Platte City, the latter in southeast Cass and northeast Bates counties. Both of have plenty of big forage fields, which helps spread the hunters out, and plenty of doves.

For current info on these or other areas in the Kansas City Region, call (816) 655-6250, or check the MDC Web site.

NORTHWEST REGION
The Northwest Region offers Missouri hunters a couple of fine dove hunting locations. The first is Pony Express Lake CA. In DeKalb County nine miles west of Cameron, it supports about 100 acres of sunflowers and another 25 of wheat. Some of the best sunflower fields are north of Wamsley in the center of the CA. There are several other good producers in the southwest corner just east of Fairview and north of Rogers. The hunts are managed, and hunter registration is required.

If Pony Express doesn't suit your fancy, give Nodaway Valley CA a try this season. It's in Holt County, about eight miles north of Highway 59 on Route B. Nodaway Valley offers hunters well over 100 acres of sunflowers and wheat. For the 2004 season they were planted along the eastern edge of the CA near State Highway Y and along the western edge near Squirrel. It's all day-hunting with first come, first served privileges on this CA.

For detailed, up-to-the-minute data on these areas or others in the Northwest Region, call (816) 271-3100 or check the MDC Web site.