Dove Hunting in Texas: Season Timing, Bag Limits, and Best Spots

Dove hunting may not be as popular as other types of hunting. However, this season does still attract quite a few hunters each year.

Like all seasons, the dove hunting season relies on hunters to follow certain rules and regulations that are set in place to prevent overhunting. You can only hunt doves during a specific season, and you may only take a certain number of birds each year.

Below, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this season.

Season Timing

Dove hunting in Texas is divided into three main segments, depending on the zone. There are three zones: north zone, central zone, and south zone.

Furthermore, Texas also has a special white-winged dove season, which typically takes place over two weekends. It allows hunters to specifically target white-winged doves, which are highly prized for their taste and abundance in certain areas of Texas.

As you can see, the seasons are a bit complicated.

The north zone typically has an early start to dove season, opening around the first weekend in September. This season runs around 70 days, ending in late October. This early hunt allows those in northern parts of Texas to target doves as they migrate south (otherwise, they wouldn’t have much of a dove season).

Central Texas follows a similar season schedule. However, they usually open a few days after the north zone. Like the north zone, they have about 70 days of dove hunting, with their closing date sometime in late October.

The south zone opens later than the other two, around late September. However, despite opening late, it still provides around 70 days of dove hunting. Therefore, it also ends later than the other seasons.

Dove Hunting in Texas: License Requirements

Like most hunting seasons, dove hunting in Texas requires a hunting license. The exact cost of your license will depend on your residency status and age.

For those between 17 and 64 who live in Texas, you’ll need a regular hunting license. However, some exemptions do apply, so it’s important to check the complete regulations, which change regularly throughout the year.

Non-residents must purchase a non-resident hunting license. Often, this license is more expensive than a residency license. However, some youth may be able to purchase their license for cheaper, even if they don’t live in Texas. Non-residents have the option to purchase short-term licenses if they plan to hunt for a limited duration.

Texas offers a Youth Hunting License for hunters under 17. The cost of this license is often lower than the standard license, but it is still required to participate in dove hunting.

Texas residents aged 65 and older may qualify for a discounted Special Resident Hunting License. As the name suggests, this license is much cheaper than other options.

You’ll also need a migratory game bird endorsement to hunt dove no matter where you’re located. This certificate helps wildlife authorities gather information about migration and helps conserve migratory stopovers throughout the country.

Dove Bag Limits in Texas

Bag limits refer to the maximum number of animals that hunters may harvest in a single day. These limits help ensure that the dove population remains stable and sustainable, allowing others to hunt them for years to come.

The bag limit is regularly changed each year (and even throughout the year). It is changed depending on the population reported each year. Generally, the bag limit is around 15 doves for Mourning Doves and White-winged Doves. You can have a combined total of 15 for each of these types.

This means that you can harvest a total of 15 doves per day, with the flexibility to take either Mourning Doves, or White-winged Doves, or a combination of both, as long as the total does not exceed 15.

You may harvest only two White-tipped Doves per day. These are counted separately from the 15 above.

You can harvest as many Eurasian Collared Doves as you want, as they are considered an invasive species.

In addition to bag limits, TPWD may also implement special regulations for specific areas or seasons, so it’s essential to check for any zone-specific or special season regulations that may apply to your hunting location.

Popular Places to Hunt in Texas

There are many places you can hunt dove in Texas. Each area is unique and has its own benefits. Because Texas is so large, where you’re located has a huge impact on where you will end up hunting.

The Texas Hill Country, including areas around cities like San Antonio, Austin, and Fredericksburg, is known for its excellent dove hunting opportunities. All of the rolling hills and agricultural fields make the area idea for love. Furthermore, many private landowners offer dove hunting leases, allowing hunters to access prime hunting grounds.

South Texas is also a popular spot for dove hunting, which abundant white-winged doves that are highly sought after for their taste. The Rio Grande Valley and nearby agricultural fields attract both migratory and resident dove populations.

North Texas may appear to have fewer opportunities. However, doves are common around crop fields, and some farmers may allow hunting on their land.

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