Texas dove hunting is a $300 million industry, but that figure is set to rise substantially this fall with the recent adoption of a 90-day dove season, the longest in eight decades.
Here are dove hunting seasons from Texas Parks & Wildlife, with a breakdown on season dates and limits:
Dove
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.
The daily bag limit for doves statewide is 15 and the possession limit 45.
Special White-winged Dove Area
- Sept. 3-4, 10-11, Sept. 23 – Nov. 9, 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. During the general season opens, the aggregate bag limit is 15 with no more than two white-tipped doves.
Under new federal guidelines, Texas is now able to adopt migratory game bird regulation changes earlier in the year than previously allowed. This means waterfowl hunters will have more time to plan trips afield.
Waterfowl seasons approved for 2016-17 include a later opener for duck hunting this year, with a shorter break between splits for the North Duck Zone and a later overall season in the South Duck Zone.
Texas hunting regulations quiz sheds light on common violations
