Dove Hunting in Texas

Dove hunters travel to Texas every year.

Enthusiasts flock to Texas every year for the state's dove hunting. Even accomplished shooters have trouble hitting doves as they fly through the air. Texas' many grain and sunflower fields attract thousands of doves in their annual migration south for the winter. For an action-packed hunt, consider dove hunting in Texas.

Time Frame

Hunting seasons for migratory birds, such as doves, are set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and each state's wildlife department. In Texas, the seasons are broken down into three zones: north, central and south. The north and central zone seasons run from Sept. 1 to Oct. 25. The south zone season is Sept. 18 to Nov. 3. An additional season opens on Dec. 26 and closes on Jan. 9 in the north and central zones and Jan. 17 in the south zone.

Methods

In Texas, temperatures can be hot during the early hunting seasons. Tim Lilley of "Texas Sportsman" magazine recommends staking out over a water source, because doves often fly into the water for a midday drink. Focus on the routes doves travel routes between roosting and feeding areas, if you are hunting in the morning or evening. Ray Sasser of "The Dallas Morning News" recommends hunters move around in search of doves.

Where to Hunt

Texas offers numerous dove hunting opportunities. Public wildlife management areas can be found throughout Texas and offer excellent dove hunting. For example, the Prairies and Lakes region of north-central Texas offers 10 wildlife management areas covering more than 114,000 acres. Other good dove-hunting spots include the Black Gap, Elephant Mountain and Sierra Diablo wildlife management areas.

Licenses

Texas requires every dove hunter to purchase a valid hunting license, state migratory bird stamp and Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit. Hunting licenses can be purchased at any license vendor or on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website. As of 2010, resident licenses are $25 and non-resident licenses are $132 annually or $48 for a five-day license. State migratory bird stamps are required to hunt migratory game in Texas. HIP permits are free and can be obtained by submitting a short survey to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. If you are hunting on public land, you also must purchase a $48 Annual Public Hunting (APH) permit.

Regulations

Dove hunting regulations are set on the federal and state levels. In 2009-2010, the daily bag limit is 15, with a possession limit of 30. Legal shooting hours in Texas start a half hour before sunrise and end 30 minutes after sunset. If you are hunting on public land, you must wear at least 400 sq. in. of florescent orange.

References

• Texas Parks and Wildlife: 2009-2010 Bag and Possession Limits for Dove
• Texas Dove and Waterfowl: Dove Hunting facts and information
• "Game and Fish:" 2009 Lone Star Dove Outlook
• Texas Parks and Wildlife: Hunting General Information