Dove Hunting in Tarrant County, Texas
Texas is a top destination for hunters seeking a trophy buck, wild turkey or goose, but the list of offerings in the Lone Star state doesn't end there. Dove hunting--favored due to the difficult yet social nature of the hunt--is also available in Texas, including Tarrant County.
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Tarrant County
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Tarrant County is located in the north central area of the Texas and includes the metropolitan area of Fort Worth and its 1.7 million residents. According to experienced hunter R. Michael DiLullo, dove hunting is a popular family activity because of the social nature of the experience: hunters can work together in groups as opposed to other forms of hunting where complete silence is required.
About Doves
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Dove can often be found perched on fences and power lines. Mourning doves are small game birds and characterized by their light gray-brown color and white under-wings. There are several sub-species hunted, included white-wing doves and collared doves, all of which are known to be fast fliers that make a distinct whistling noise during flight. The state had a population of 7 million doves in 2009, making the dove the most plentiful species hunted in the state.
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Safety and Regulations
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Always treat weapons as if they are loaded. Texas requires all hunters born after September 1, 1971, to complete safety training. After completion of the course--which is offered both online and in a classroom setting--hunters are eligible to purchase a dove hunting license from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) or one of the 30,000 vendors throughout the state, such as sporting good stores. Hunters should always carry safety credentials and licenses with them in the field, even when hunting on private land.
Private Hunting
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Non-residents often lease land--where hunters pay to access private land--to dove hunt in Tarrant County. Hunting clubs are also common and are a good way to save money on the cost of a personal hunting lease as club members split the bill. Dove-hunting guide services are available in the county for a fee, some of which offer all-inclusive packages with sleeping accommodations and meals.
Public Hunting
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Dove hunting in Tarrant County is allowed in the North Zone of the TPWD's public hunting lands. Bag limits may change each season, so check the latest information before gearing up to hunt (see Resources). Hunting on public land is less expensive than private land and leases, but overcrowding can be a problem.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit turtle-dove image by michele goglio from Fotolia.com ruddy-ground dove image by CraterValley Photo from Fotolia.com Aimed shotgun, with depth of field image by cdbdi from Fotolia.com
