Dove Hunting Season to Start Soon in Texas

Dove season is starting very soon and many a Texas wing hunter will be out banging at the sky! It is also the prelude to my favorite season, deer hunting season.

There are three zones in Texas to hunt, North, Central and South. The Season dates are as follows:

North Zone: Sept. 1-Oct. 24 and Dec. 25-Jan. 9.

Central Zone: Sept. 1-Oct. 24 and Dec. 25-Jan. 9.

South Zone: Sept. 17­Oct. 31 and Dec. 25 -Jan. 18.

Special White-Winged Dove Area, Special Season: Sept. 4-5 and Sept. 11-12.

Special White-Winged Dove Area Regular Season: Sept. 17-Oct. 31 and Dec. 25-Jan. 14.

You’re ready to start hunting BUT can you identify what species of doves you can shoot? Here is a great link that can help you identify types of doves and for that matter any species of bird in North America. It is a website from Cornell University, an awesome site for the experienced or novice birder.

Now that you’re ready to go out and make a dent in the sky, may I offer you a couple of reminders?

1. Remember to plug your pump or autoloading shotgun for a three shot capacity. One in the chamber and two in the magazine.

2. Can’t hunt from a vehicle and that means a chair in the back of a pickup or tailgate.  As stated in the regulations: “It is unlawful to hunt from or by means of motor-driven vehicles and land conveyances or aircraft of any kind.”

3. Shoot within the hours designated. You never know if the local game warden is out in a field listening and watching.

4. Know what your daily bag limits are!

There are three species of Texas doves considered legal game: mourning doves, white-winged doves and white-tipped doves. Eurasian collared doves are not protected by law and may be shot in addition to a legal limit of native doves.

Remember safety should always be in the forefront of your mind. We don’t want another Dick Cheney accidental shooting incident do we?

Good hunting and good eating. Visit my recipe page for a dove breast recipe I like!