Dove2023-2024 Seasons & Regulations

Season Dates & County Regulations

Regular Season

North Zone
Sept. 1 - Nov. 12, 2023
Dec. 15 - 31, 2023
Central Zone
Sept. 1 - Oct. 29, 2023
Dec. 15, 2023 - Jan. 14, 2024
South Zone
Sept. 14 - Oct. 29, 2023
Dec. 15, 2023 - Jan. 21, 2024

Special White-winged Dove Days

South Zone
Sept. 1 - 3, 2023
Sept. 8 - 10, 2023

Falconry

Statewide
Nov. 17 - Dec. 3, 2023

Bag Limits

ZoneDaily Bag LimitDaily AggregatePossession Limit
North Zone 15 birds No more than 2 white-tipped 3 times daily bag
Central Zone 15 birds No more than 2 white-tipped 3 times daily bag
South Zone 15 birds No more than 2 white-tipped 3 times daily bag
South Zone
Special White-winged Dove Days
15 birds No more than 2 mourning doves and 2 white-tipped doves 3 times daily bag
Falconry (Statewide) 3 birds 3 times daily bag

Dove Hunting Zones

North Zone
That portion of the state north of a line beginning at the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; thence north along FM 1088 to State Highway 20; thence west along State Highway 20 to State Highway 148; thence north along State Highway 148 to Interstate Highway 10 at Fort Hancock; thence east along Interstate Highway 10 to Interstate Highway 20; thence northeast along Interstate Highway 20 to Interstate Highway 30 at Fort Worth; thence northeast along Interstate Highway 30 to the Texas-Arkansas state line.
Central Zone
That portion of the state between the North Zone and the South Zone.
South Zone
That portion of the state south of a line beginning at the International Toll Bridge in Del Rio; thence northeast along U.S. Highway 277 Spur to U.S. Highway 90 in Del Rio; thence east along U.S. Highway 90 to State Loop 1604; thence following Loop 1604 south and east, then north, to Interstate Highway 10; thence east along Interstate Highway 10 to the Texas-Louisiana Line.

Legal Shooting Hours

From one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

During the Special White-winged Dove Days: noon to sunset.

See sunrise and sunset computations.

License Requirements

Hunting License

All migratory game bird hunters must have a valid hunting license.

Texas Migratory Game Bird Stamp Endorsement

A Migratory Game Bird Endorsement is required to hunt any migratory game bird (waterfowl, coot, rail, gallinule, snipe, dove, sandhill crane, and woodcock).

Harvest Information Program (HIP)

When you purchase a hunting license, indicate to the license clerk that you intend to hunt migratory game birds and need to be HIP certified by answering a few simple questions.

Report Leg Bands

Please report leg bands to www.reportband.gov.

Legal Game Birds

Mourning Dove

  • Brown with black spots on wing
  • Long, pointed tail
  • All of Texas

mourning dove perched on a post

White-winged Dove

  • White bar on wing
  • Long, rounded tail
  • South Texas, increasing statewide

White-tipped Dove (White-fronted)

  • Large, rounded tail
  • Rust-colored wing linings
  • South Texas

Unprotected Species

Eurasian Collared-Dove

There is no closed season or bag limit restrictions for Eurasian collared-doves; however, it is recommended that plumage be left on these birds for identification purposes.

  • Narrow black collar on nape of neck
  • White, squared tail underside
  • Pale gray body, black bill, red irises

Rock Dove (Rock Pigeon)

There is no closed season or bag limit restrictions for common pigeons (rock doves); however, it is recommended that plumage be left on these birds for identification purposes.

  • Large plump body, small head
  • Gray, brown or white
  • Common in cities and ranches

Protected Species

Band-tailed Pigeon

Do Not Hunt

  • Yellow bill
  • White band on neck
  • Wooded mountain areas

 

Inca Dove

Do Not Hunt

  • Scaly looking
  • Small, brown body
  • Urban and suburban areas, woodland edges, savannahs, thickets

Common Ground Dove

Do Not Hunt

  • Sandy brown color
  • Dark spots on wings
  • Short, round tail
  • Small body, short thin bill

Common Ground Dove

 


Migratory Game Bird Regulations

Definitions

General Rules

Methods

License, Permit and Endorsement Requirements

Species Illegal to Hunt

Waterfowl Banding Maps