Category: Dove Hunting

Go-To Tips for Dove Hunting

It’s almost dove season here in Texas and there is nothing more fun than a good dove hunt. However, a lack of preparedness can mess up a good dove hunt before it event starts. In this article, we offer up 17 tips for dove hunting in Texas.  Yep, we got you!

Texas is home to seven species of native doves and pigeons, including the three legal game species- mourning, white-winged and white-tipped doves. Texas accounts for 30 percent of the total mourning doves and 85 percent of the total white-winged doves harvested in the U.S. each year, far more than any other state.

17 Tips for Dove Hunting in Texas

Successfully hunting doves requires some planning, preparation, and understanding of dove behavior. Mourning doves and white-winged doves are fast and agile birds, making them challenging targets. However, with the right approach, you can increase your chances of a successful dove hunt. Here are some tips for dove hunting in Texas and beyond:

1. Legal Considerations: Before you grab a gun, ensure you have the necessary hunting licenses and permits required for dove hunting in your area. Dove hunting in Texas always concurs with the need for a new hunting license. Sometimes the regulations change, too. Familiarize yourself with local regulations, hunting seasons, bag limits, and any specific rules for dove hunting.
2. Scouting: Prior to the dove hunting season, scout the hunting area to identify dove flight paths, roosting sites, feeding areas, and watering holes. Look for locations with high dove activity. If you can’t get out beforehand, pay attention to what’s going on around you while you’re in the field. Go to where the doves are flying.
3. Gear Preparation: Dove hunting is a relatively lightweight endeavor in terms of gear, but a big part of any hunt is having everything you need. Check out your gear before heading to the field and save yourself some headaches. The next three tips for dove hunting cover some essential equipment.
4. Shotgun: A shotgun with an open choke, improved cylinder or modified,  is recommended for dove hunting, as it provides a wider pattern for shooting moving targets. Check out your gun prior to your hunt.
5. Ammunition: Use light loads of #7.5 or #8 shot. Most manufacturers sell these shot sizes specifically as dove loads. These smaller pellets are effective for taking down doves without causing excessive damage.
6. Camouflage: I’ve been on dove hunts when camo was absolutely not required. However, it’s quite helpful and necessary most of the time, especially later in the season. Wear camouflage clothing that matches the hunting environment to blend in and avoid spooking doves.
7. Decoys: Setting up a few dove decoys on branches or stakes can attract passing doves. Place them near your shooting location to make the doves feel more comfortable landing. This is particularly helpful to pull doves to within shooting distance.
8. Hide or Blind: Set up a hide or hunting blind to conceal yourself from the doves’ keen eyesight. Typically, this means a natural brush blind, standing next to or within some brush, or even a portable blind can help you stay hidden.
9. Concealed Movement: Doves are sensitive to movement, so remain as still as possible. Move slowly and avoid sudden motions that might alert the birds. I wait until birds are just about within distance before making a move or swinging on passing birds.
10. Timing: Doves are most active during the early morning and late afternoon when they are feeding and drinking. Plan your hunts during these times for higher success rates. Morning hunts help avoid the hottest parts of the day, but evening hunts can be great around water.
11. Water Sources: Doves need water to drink, so dove hunting near water sources such as ponds or rivers can be productive. These are especially good places later in the morning, mid-day, and late in the afternoon.
12. Cover and Perches: Look for locations with trees, power lines, or other elevated perches where doves like to rest. These spots are ideal for setting up your blind or hide. If you have decoys, set them up in these sites to pull doves your way.
13. Stay Silent: Doves have excellent hearing, so avoid loud noises, talking, and sudden noises that could startle them. This is not a huge problem until doves start to approach your immediate area, but doves are going to cut away as soon as you start yelling.
14. Shoot Ahead: Doves are fast flyers, so lead your shots by aiming slightly ahead of the bird’s flight path to account for its speed. Ideally, you want to swing through as you shoot at passing doves, but many hunters stop the gun once the trigger is pulled. It you have a hard time swing through, aiming ahead can help.
15. Retrieve Downed Birds: Keep an eye on where doves fall and retrieve them promptly. Doves are small and can blend in with the ground, so it’s important to locate them quickly. Avoid the temptation of shooting additional birds prior to picking up your down bird.
16. Practice Shooting: Practice your shooting skills before the dove hunting season to improve your accuracy. Shooting clay targets or practicing with a shooting simulator can help you become more proficient. I can’t say enough about this one, and I think almost everyone needs more trigger time.
17. Safety: This one is last, but should be on top of mind. Always prioritize safety. Be aware of other hunters in the area, and follow proper firearm safety rules at all times. Know where you can and can not shoot. Make sure those that you are hunting with know that, too.

Dove Hunting in Texas

Spring surveys conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff found an estimated 28.3 million mourning doves in Texas, a 44 percent increase from 2022.  White-wing dove populations have increased 20 percent, tying the record high with an estimated 11.7 million this year.

“This spring was about as perfect as it could be, with steady rains and cool weather,” said Owen Fitzsimmons, TPWD Dove Program Leader. “Given the population increases this year and the excellent breeding season conditions that persisted through the first half of the summer, hunters should expect to see a lot more birds on the landscape this September.”

Tip Your Hat to HOT Texas Dove Hunting

Dove hunting in Texas is hot. We hold a lot of birds and it’s generally temperature hot early in the dove hunting season. As daily temps typically top 100 degrees, hunters will likely find larger concentrations of birds at watering holes, and doves may be feeding earlier and later than normal to avoid the mid-day heat.  In areas where agriculture has suffered from the heatwave, look for stands of common sunflower, croton and other native annual forbs and grasses.

Remember that dove hunting is not only about the harvest but also about enjoying the outdoors and respecting the natural environment. Hunting responsibly and ethically is essential for preserving the experience for future generations. We hope this list of tips for dove hunting in Texas help prepare you for your next trip afield.

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Texas Dove Hunting Season Outlook

It’s hot outside but how about that Texas dove hunting action? Texans are used to scorching summers, but this year’s record highs across much of the state have left many dove hunters wondering about the upcoming season opener.

“Unless conditions change drastically over the next few weeks, hunting near water will be key for opening day this year,” said Owen Fitzsimmons, TPWD Dove Program Leader. “Hunters will likely see larger concentrations of birds at watering holes and food sources than they have in the past due to limited resources. Agriculture production has been hit hard by drought so birds may be more reliant on native foods this September. Look for stands of common sunflower, croton, and other native annual forbs and grasses.”

Dry, But Dove Season Good

Doves are well-adapted to dry conditions, particularly white-winged doves, which are a sub-tropical species. They may be the bread and butter of this Texas dove hunting season.

“Our spring surveys indicated a decrease in breeding abundance, which is a carry-over from poor hatch-year production last year,” added Fitzsimmons. “However, doves kick reproduction into high gear in dry years like this, and we’re seeing a lot of young birds this summer, based on our banding efforts.”

TPWD officials remind hunters to prepare for the extreme heat and make sure they are packing all the essentials for a day in the field. They should bring plenty of water to stay hydrated and take measures to stay cool in a shaded area. The same is true for canine hunting partners.

“If this extreme heat persists, think twice about bringing your dog out in the early season,” said Fitzsimmons. “Temperatures this high can be dangerous for dogs, particularly when they’re excited and running hard after birds. If you do bring them, try to limit the hunts to early mornings or late evenings.”

Texas Dove Hunting Season

The regular dove season in the North Zone runs Sept. 1-Nov. 13 and resumes Dec. 17-Jan.1, 2023. The regular season in the Central Zone is Sept. 1-Oct. 30, then resumes Dec. 17-Jan.15, 2023. The regular season in the South Zone is Sept. 14-Oct. 30 and Dec. 17-Jan. 22, 2023. For the second straight year, there will be six Special White-Winged Dove Days. The Special White-Winged Dove Days will be Sept. 2-4 and 9-11.

During the regular season in the South Zone, the aggregate bag limit is 15 with no more than two white-tipped doves. During the Special White-winged Dove Days in the South Zone, dove hunting is allowed only from noon to sunset and the daily bag limit is 15 birds, to include not more than two mourning doves and two white-tipped doves.

All updated hunting regulations for this year’s hunting season can be found in the Texas Outdoor Annual mobile app or online at OutdoorAnnual.com.

Texas Dove Hunting Licenses

Hunters are reminded that licenses are on sale now for the 2022-23 hunting seasons and can be purchased through the agency’s 28 law enforcement field offices, at more than 50 state parks and over 1,700 retailers across the state. Licenses may also be purchased online through the TPWD website or by phone at (800) 895-4248. Call center hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and there is a required $5 administrative fee for each phone or online transaction. The online transaction system is available 24/7.

Enhancements have been made to make the licensing process simpler and faster. “Expedited checkout” improves the process of purchasing the same license items bought most recently within the last three years. It’s also now easier to show proof-of-license. Now hunters can use a digital image of their license as proof-of-license for any hunting that doesn’t require a tag, like dove hunting. Accepted formats include: (1) a digital photo, (2) an emailed receipt, (3) within the Outdoor Annual app or the My Texas Hunt Harvest app, or 4) online purchase record.

For the first time, Texas residents can purchase a digital Super Combo license (Items 111, 117 and 990) that will authorize digital tagging of harvested deer, turkey and oversized red drum. The digital license option is available through online purchase only when licenses go on sale Aug. 15. A digital license holder will not receive a printed license or tags but must keep their digital license available while in the field. The license can be viewed through the TPWD Outdoor Annual and My Texas Hunt Harvest mobile apps.

In addition to a hunting license, anyone born after Sept. 1, 1971, must successfully complete a hunter education training course to hunt legally in Texas. The TPWD Hunter Education certification is valid for life and is honored in all other states and provinces. Hunters can find more information or print a replacement at no cost online.

A Migratory Game Bird Endorsement (Stamp) and Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification are also required to hunt dove. HIP certification involves a brief survey of previous year’s migratory bird hunting success and is conducted at the time licenses are purchased.

It’s almost dove hunting season in Central Texas and beyond as September creeps into view. As hot as this summer has been, September, October, November can not get here soon enough! Really looking forward to some cooler weather, but not before a tried-and-true, sweat-it-out dove hunting opener.

September 1 is the opening day of dove hunting season across the state of Texas. , Yet again, Texas dove hunters can look forward to a liberal 90-day season and 15-bird daily bag limits.

In addition, hunters in Texas’ South Dove Zone have the opportunity to hunt every weekend in September thanks to the Special White-winged Dove Days September. 1, 2, 8, and 9, combined with a Sept. 14 zone opener, the earliest in half a century. Though hunting hours are limited to afternoons during the Special White-winged Dove Days (noon-sunset), hunters in the southern portion of the state are now able to take advantage of the earlier dates in which the majority of dove harvest in Texas occurs.

Each year, Texas hunters harvest nearly one third of the mourning doves taken nationwide. This far surpases the number of birds harvested in any other state. In recent years, an estimated 10 million doves are harvested in Texas annually. While Texas supports breeding populations of over 34 million mourning and 10 million white-winged doves, those numbers swell during the fall when birds from northern latitudes head south looking for warmer weather.

Texas is a Dove Hunting Hot Spot

“Texas is uniquely situated to catch a lot of migratory birds as they move through the central part of the continent. Couple that with the fact that we are such a big state with diverse habitats, and it makes sense that we have such large numbers of doves,” said Owen Fitzsimmons, TPWD Dove Program Leader.

“Despite the dry conditions this summer, we had excellent production very early in the spring thanks to a mild winter and good rains in February and March, so there are a lot of birds around,” Fitzsimmons said. “Unless we get significant rain in the next couple of weeks, hunters really need to key in on areas with water. That’s where the birds will be concentrated.”

Whitewings Boost Dove Hunting Bag

White-winged doves were historically found in the lower Rio Grande Valley, but they have rapidly expanded in numbers and distribution across Texas in recent years. According to Fitzsimmons, white-wing populations continue to grow and are making up a larger percentage of daily bag limits state-wide.

White-wings are now found mostly in and around urban areas, providing hunting opportunity for those hunting just outside major cities and urban centers.

Texas Dove Season Dates 2018-19 

• North Zone: Sept. 1 – Nov. 4 and Dec. 21-Jan. 14, 2019.
• Central Zone: Sept. 1 – Nov. 4 and Dec. 21-Jan. 14, 2019.
• Special White-winged Dove Days (entire South Zone): Sept. 1-2, 8-9.
• South Zone: Sept. 14 – Oct. 30 and Dec. 14 – Jan. 21, 2019.

During the early two weekends for the Special White-winged Dove Days (in the South Zone), hunting is allowed only from noon to sunset and the daily bag limit is 15 birds, to include not more than two mourning doves and two white-tipped doves. During the general season in the South Zone, the aggregate bag limit is 15 with no more than two white-tipped doves.

Buy a License Prior to Dove Hunting

Hunters are reminded that licenses went on sale Aug. 15 for the 2018-19 hunting seasons and can be purchased through the agency’s 28 law enforcement field offices, at more than 50 state parks and over 1,700 retailers across the state. Licenses may also be purchased online through the TPWD website or by phone at (800) 895-4248. Call center hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and there is a required $5 administrative fee for each phone or online transaction. The online transaction system is available 24/7.

Hunting and fishing regulations for the new season are available in the Outdoor Annual in print, online and on the Outdoor Annual mobile app. A limited number of Outdoor Annual booklets can be picked up at any of the 1,700 license retailers. A Spanish language version is also available online.

In addition to a hunting license, anyone born after Sept. 1, 1971, must successfully complete a hunter education training course in order to hunt legally in Texas. The TPWD Hunter Education certification is valid for life and is honored in all other states and provinces. More information about hunter education is available online. If you misplace your certification you can print a replacement online at no cost.

Dove Hunting Fine Print

Don’t let those license clerks at some of the big box stores short you when it comes to getting your hunting license. Anyone that hunts migratory birds in the US needs to be certified to do so, but it’s as simple as a few questions. However, some license sales staff will skip right over it.

A Migratory Game Bird endorsement and Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification are required to hunt dove. HIP certification involves a brief survey of previous year’s migratory bird hunting success (number of harvested doves, ducks and geese) and is conducted at the time licenses are purchased.

Good News: There will be more white-winged dove hunting in the Texas South Zone this fall because of a special season expansion! South Texas dove hunters will see more shots at dove this year thanks to a season framework adjustment expanding the early September 4-day Special White-winged Dove Area hunting season to the entire South Zone boundary.

The change to the special white-winged dove hunting season is part of the 2017-18 migratory game bird seasons adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “For the second straight year, Texas will be taking advantage of a 90-day dove season and the expansion of early white-winged dove hunting during the first two weekends in September, in effect, create early September hunting opportunities statewide for the first time ever,” said Dave Morrison, TPWD Wildlife Division deputy director.

Texas Dove Population Looks Good

It’s been another good year for rain in much of the state and that helps with annual bird production. Expect both mourning and white-winged dove numbers to be good, especially in areas where seed-producing plants are present. Look for sunflowers and implement a little pre-season strip-shredding for some fast and furious pass shooting.

As usual, expect potentially dry conditions in early September to push doves in droves to stock tanks and other accessible water sources. These sites are particularly good in the late afternoon and early evening.

Below is the dove season calendar and framework for 2017-18:

Texas Dove Hunting Seasons 2017-18

North Zone: Sept. 1 – Nov. 12 and Dec. 15-31.

Central Zone: Sept. 1 – Nov. 5 and Dec. 15 – Jan. 7, 2018.

Special White-winged Dove Days (entire South Zone): Sept. 2-3, 9-10.

South Zone: Sept. 22 – Nov. 8 and Dec. 15 – Jan. 21, 2018.

Bag Limit: The daily bag limit for doves statewide is 15 and the possession limit 45.

Special White-wing Dove Area

During the early two weekends in the Special White-winged Dove Days, hunting is allowed only from noon to sunset and the daily bag limit is 15 birds, to include not more than two mourning doves and two white-tipped doves. During the general season in in the special area, the aggregate bag limit is 15 with no more than two white-tipped doves.

Dove Hunting a Big Deal

There is no doubt that the opening day of dove hunting season is Texas is considered a bonafide holiday by many hunters. Dove hunting is also a big deal to all of those little crossroad towns that dot Texas’ rural landscape. The contributions to those local economies is significant, with direct expenditures and taxes from dove hunting contributes over $400 million to the Texas economy.

With the average hunter taking 7 to 8 shots per bagged bird, that’s a lot of shells, for starters. And a lot of sold burgers at DQ.

Dove Season Expectations

With opening day done, what can dove hunters expect to find in the fields the rest of the season? Based on survey conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), mourning dove numbers may be some of the highest in more 10 years in the Panhandle with similar numbers as 2015 in the remainder of Texas. White-winged doves continue to increase in numbers across the state, but surveys show that the growth of the species is no longer ramping up, but rather growing slowing.

“Dove hunters should be prepared for good seed production across the state, so there will be plenty dove foods available for mourning doves except in areas where flooding occurred,” said Shaun Oldenburger, TPWD dove program leader. “This may make dove hunting a little more difficult due to thick vegetation cover, and hunters will need to spend a little more time finding downed birds in areas due to this issue during opening day in some areas.”

Texas 2016-17 Dove Hunting Seasons

Dove season in Texas‘ North Zone runs Sept. 1 – Nov. 13 and Dec. 17 – Jan. 1, 2017; in the Central Zone from Sept. 1 – Nov. 6 and Dec. 17 – Jan. 8, 2017; and in the South Zone from Sept. 23 – Nov. 13 and Dec. 17 – Jan. 23, 2017. The daily bag limit for doves statewide is 15 and the possession limit 45.

In the Special White-winged Dove Area, the season runs Sept. 3-4, 10-11, Sept. 23 – Nov. 9, Dec. 17 – Jan. 23, 2017. During the early two weekends in the Special White-winged Dove Area, hunting is allowed only in the afternoon and the daily bag limit is 15 birds, to include not more than two mourning doves and two white-tipped doves. During the general season opens, the aggregate bag limit is 15 with no more than two white-tipped doves.

With a new slate of fall hunting seasons ahead of us Texas hunters will be getting even more this year, 20 days more of dove hunting, to be exact. And with good sunflower production across the state thanks to all of the rain we received during the first-half of the year, it’s very timely that Texas hunters will have even more days to hunt dove.

The 2016-2017 Texas dove hunting season dates have been approved by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD), and this year the season has been extended from 70 days up to 90 days, per the new federal framework for migratory bird hunting seasons.

All indications are that mourning and white-winged dove populations are doing well. Lots of rain and forage should translate into a robust year for hunters, with plenty of time to take advantage of bird numbers. The additional dove hunting days are being integrated early in the season to take advantage of doves migrating into the state.

Dove Hunting Season Dates by Texas Dove Zone

• North Zone: September 1 – November 13, 2016 and December 17, 2016 – January 1, 2017
• Central Zone: September 1 – November 6, 2016 and December 17, 2016 – January 8, 2017
• South Zone: September 23 – November 13, 2016 and December 17, 2016 to January 23, 2017

Dove Season Dates for Texas’ Special White-Winged Area

• Special Season: September 3-4 and September 10-11, 2016 (legal shooting hours are noon to sunset)
• Regular Season: Sep. 23 – November 9, 2016 and December 17, 2016 – January 23, 2017