Quick Answer
Inca doves can be legally hunted during dove season in Texas with some restrictions. The season runs from September 1 to November 12 in the North Zone and September 20 to November 12 in the South Zone. Hunters need a valid Texas hunting license and dove stamp. The daily bag limit is 15 doves in the aggregate which can include no more than 2 white-winged doves, 2 white-tipped doves, and 2 mourning doves. Inca doves have no limits within the aggregate bag. Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Overview of Inca Dove in Texas
The inca dove is a small dove species native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. Some key facts about inca doves in Texas include:
– Range: Inca doves are found throughout western and southern Texas with highest populations in the Trans-Pecos region. Their range extends south through Mexico and Central America.
– Habitat: They prefer arid regions and desert scrub habitat. In urban areas, they readily adapt to humans and nest on buildings.
– Size: Approximately 8 inches long with a wingspan of 12 inches. Weighs 1-2 ounces.
– Coloration: Pale gray-brown overall with long squared tail and black-tipped wings. Bright rufous primaries are visible in flight.
– Diet: Mainly seeds and grains supplemented with insects and berries when available. Favor seeds of Johnson grass, milo, sunflower, and wheat.
– Behavior: Ground foraging birds that walk or run versus hop. Gregarious outside breeding season traveling in flocks.
– Nesting: Breed March through September with peak activity April-June. Simple nests built with twigs and grass located in trees, cacti, or human structures. Lay 2 white eggs with multiple broods per year.
– Population Status: Common and increasing across Texas with expanding urbanization providing additional habitat. Estimated 1.5 million inca doves in Texas.
Inca Dove Hunting Regulations in Texas
Hunting of inca doves in Texas is regulated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) with oversight from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Here are the key regulations for dove hunting in Texas:
– Season Dates:
North Zone – September 1 through November 12
South Zone – September 20 through November 12
– Bag Limits:
Daily bag limit is 15 doves in the aggregate which can include:
– No more than 2 white-winged doves
– No more than 2 white-tipped doves
– No more than 2 mourning doves
– No limits on inca doves within the aggregate bag
– Possession limit is twice the daily bag limit after the first day of the season.
– Shooting Hours:
From one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
– Licensing:
A valid Texas hunting license and dove stamp endorsement is required. Hunters on private retrievable land must also have an HIP permit. Various other license exemptions available for Texas residents under 17 or over 65.
– Zones:
Texas has North and South dove hunting zones divided roughly along I-10 and Highway 90 lines:
– Other Regulations:
All migratory game bird hunting subject to state and federal regulations. Violations can incur fines and impact hunting license privileges.
Best Regions to Hunt Inca Dove in Texas
Inca dove populations are concentrated in west Texas and the lower Rio Grande valley. The top areas to target inca doves include:
Trans Pecos and El Paso Region
The arid region of west Texas centered around El Paso and the Rio Grande has high densities of inca doves. Excellent public hunting is available on wildlife management areas such as:
– Black Gap Wildlife Management Area near Marathon – 118,000 acres along the Rio Grande with desert scrub habitat. Also allows night hunting of nongame species.
– Elephant Mountain Wildlife Management Area near Alpine – 23,000 acre former military base with grasslands and canyon habitat.
– Sierra Diablo Wildlife Management Area near Van Horn – 11,000 acre rugged wilderness area.
South Texas Plains
The brushlands of south Texas hold good numbers of inca doves, especially around agricultural areas with grain fields. Prime spots include:
– Chaparral Wildlife Management Area near Cotulla – 63,000 acres of mesquite and shrubland habitat with Drew’s Prairie dove field.
– Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area north of Edinburg – Over 7,000 acres of thornscrub habitat along the Rio Grande River floodplain.
– Frio River bottomlands around Dilley – River access and private farmlands offer excellent inca dove hunting opportunities.
Lower Rio Grande Valley
The far southern tip of Texas along the Rio Grande River from Laredo down to Brownsville has high concentrations of inca doves. Some top public land options are:
– Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area near Edinburg – Good populations of doves in thornscrub habitat.
– Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge – Over 100,000 acres of protected habitat with excellent inca dove numbers. Access is limited so hire a guide.
– Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge near Alamo – 2,000 acres with habitat improvements and public sunflower fields to attract doves.
Best Times to Hunt Inca Doves in Texas
Inca dove hunting can be productive throughout the long dove season in Texas. However, timing your hunts around key periods improves success:
– Early Season – Doves concentrate near watering holes in September during hot, dry conditions making for excellent shooting opportunities.
– Late Season – Inca doves congregate in agricultural areas to feed on waste grain in November. Also, cooler weather brings more birds from northern areas.
– Evening Shoots – Inca doves fly out to feed in fields at dusk allowing effective pass shooting as they return to roost. Afternoon hunts are very productive.
– During Harvest – Freshly cut grain fields attract high numbers of doves including inca doves to feed on waste kernels.
– Around Water Sources – Natural and artificial water sources in arid regions draw thirsty doves during dry conditions. Sit nearby and ambush incoming birds.
– Cold Fronts – Sudden cold fronts cause doves to bunch up making for excellent hunting immediately before and after the front passes through.
Hunting Methods for Inca Doves
Inca doves offer exciting hunting opportunities in Texas. Standard dove hunting methods are very effective on these birds:
Pass Shooting
Sit along flyways near feeding or roosting areas and shoot doves as they pass by. Excellent along treelines, field edges, waterholes, and powerlines. Requires fast shooting skills.
Spot and Stalk
Walk through fields, clearings, or dry washes and flush birds to shoot while they fly away. Great method to cover ground and find dove concentrations.
Ambush Points
Set up where doves are likely to land such as water sources, resting perches, and feeding areas. Conceal yourself and wait for birds to enter range.
Dove Fields
Planted food plots specifically for doves with sunflowers, millet, buckwheat or sorghum. Hunt over these fields near roosting areas right as birds come out to feed.
Water Holes
Sit near natural and man-made water sources in arid areas during dry periods when doves come to drink. Easy ambush opportunities as they land for water.
Roost Shooting
Afternoon and evening shoots as doves return to roost sites. Position yourself where they bottleneck going to roost such as between feeding areas and water.
Inca Dove Hunting Tips
Follow these tips to maximize your inca dove hunting success:
– Use decoys like dove or predator decoys to attract birds and improve your concealment.
– Spinning wing decoys offered under spinning wing dove decoy exemption help pull doves into range.
– When pass shooting, let the dove pass by and shoot behind it leading the target. Practice tracking skills.
– Break up your silhouette when ambush hunting near resting or watering areas. Kneel or lie prone in camouflage.
– Be patient and stay still. Slow movements are key not to alert sharp-eyed doves.
– Scout feeding and roosting areas starting a month before seasons to pattern dove movements.
– Focus on fresh food sources and watering holes during droughts or dry early seasons.
– Inca doves fly fast and erratically. Practice shooting moving targets and lead more than expected.
– Follow all regulations and ethically harvest only within your limits. Dove hunting has a rich tradition in Texas.
Conclusion
In summary, inca doves are a popular and legal species to hunt during the long dove season in Texas. With some scouting and preparation, inca dove hunts can provide fast-paced shooting action on these plentiful little doves. Their meat is excellent table-fare, though small. By following the regulations and tips outlined above, Lone Star State hunters are sure to have exciting hunts pursuing inca doves across west Texas and the Rio Grande valley regions.