Dove, waterfowl, and other migratory bird hunters are reminded to register for the Harvest Information Program (HIP) before going afield this fall.

Dove season opens this Saturday, Sept. 2, and all hunters (whether licensed or license-exempt) who plan to hunt doves, waterfowl, rails, woodcock, snipe, coots, gallinules or moorhens in Virginia must be registered with the Virginia Harvest Information Program (HIP). Anyone who does not plan to hunt these migratory game birds should not register for HIP.

Hunters will now be issued a “permit” with their hunting license, when identifying that they will be hunting migratory game birds, instead of being issued a HIP number as in the past.

A new HIP permit is needed for the 2017-2018 hunting season. To received the permit, jus select the HIP permit option when purchasing a hunting license and it will be added to the license and customer account. There is no cost for a HIP permit.

To register for HIP, visit https://www.gooutdoorsvirginia.com/ or call 1-888-788-9772 during normal business hours.

Go Outdoors Virginia represents the online portal and one-stop shop for DGIF customers to purchase recreational fishing and hunting licenses, check game, register and renew vessels, sign up for quota hunts, and more.

New customers will be required to create a Customer Account in order to purchase a license and to register for HIP. Account can be managed online 24/7/365.

Once a customer account has been completed, you can proceed to purchase/replace a license/permit. There is a line provided on hunting licenses for the HIP registration permit.

Hunters who are exempt from purchasing a license are required to register for HIP through Go Outdoors Virginia.

Information obtained from HIP registration is vital for the management of migratory birds in Virginia, according to the DGIF. If not already established, exempt hunters can create a customer account at www.gooutdoorsvirginia.com.

To find out more about HIP, visit: https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/hip/.