The opening of dove season kicks off the first major hunting event of the fall. And now hunters will have 20 more days to enjoy the season.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) officials have approved the longest dove season in 80 years. Officials announced the season will run for 90 days.
The days are being split between the early and late parts of the season to take advantage of birds migrating into the state. The season lengths are based on population surveys of mourning, white-winged and white-tipped doves, according to the Valley Morning Star.
Hunters in all hunting zones across the state should keep in mind the daily bag limit of 15 birds and the possession limit of 45.
The dates for each zones are as follows:
North Zone: Sept 1—Nov. 13 and Dec.17- Jan.1, 2017
Central Zone: Sept.1—Nov. 6 and Dec.17—Jan. 8, 2017
South Zone: Sept. 23—Nov. 13 and 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, according to TPWD.
For more information, visit the TPWD website.
This will make very little difference in the number of birds taken. What would make a difference is moving opening day from September 1st each year to the Saturday prior to LABOR DAY.
I believe opening dove season on September 1 cost the state of Texas, millions in lost revenue. When opening day falls on a Saturday hotels and motels across the state are filled to capacity for 3 or 4 full days. Restaurants and cafe’s the same. People are in the field for the or four full days moving birds. No one has to take off work generating more production for employers.
Opening season in the middle of the week creates a one day season for countless novice hunters. One day at a inn, one day eating out, one box of shells, one hunting shirt and one day of vacation or a sick day at work.
Opening dove season on Saturday creates the largest social event in the state of Texas. Opening in the middle of the week sets up dove season to be mediocre at best. Just my opinion, but wish someone would take a look at an economic impact.
Extending season Victoria County needs to be in front of season or include us in Special Whitewing Season. Birds gone by normal open date.
Hi, Larry. Thanks for reading. You might consider forwarding your suggestion to TPWD Director of Wildlife Division Clayton Wolf. His email is clayton.wolf@tpwd.texas.gov.
I know it is regulated by the federal government as to how many and when we can kill doves,but I think the season needs to be moved back two weeks into middle August.In central TX we have birds everywhere right before the season opens and come opening day and you can’t buy a bird much less shoot one.Is it the change of weather that causes this or is it just mother nature play a game with us?
I meant to say I agree with Craig!
South Zone gets the shaft once again, move the boundary further south as we here in the Houston area always have migration long before the third week. Open it STATE wide on Sept 1st !!
I have tried for years to start all 3 zones at the same time. Starting South zone 22 days later than the other zones is just devestating. The south zone economy is.cursed by this 22 day wait and the birds suffer as well. As others have mentioned by the time season opens in the south zone the birds are mostly gone. Businesses suffer missing the labor day weekend. No heads on beds because of the short weekend hunt. Hunters that do hunt don’t usually fare well because once again the birds have flown the coup. Earlier start would put hunters on birds and feed the economy. Feed the economy and people will be doing more to improve habitat and food would be more abundant thus improving populations and increasing limits. I would like productive hunts and not have to hunt so long to get enough birds to make a limit. Let’s open all 3 zones at the same time.