Dove hunting is a popular pastime in Texas, with hundreds of thousands of hunters taking to the fields each September when dove season opens. There are three main species of dove found in Texas that are legal game birds for hunters: mourning doves, white-winged doves, and Eurasian collared doves.
Mourning Doves
The mourning dove is the most common and abundant dove species found across Texas. They are a medium-sized dove with a slender body and tapered tail. Their coloring is light brown to tan overall with black spots on the wings. The male and female look similar and have a distinctive mourning coo call.
Key facts about mourning doves in Texas:
- Scientific name: Zenaida macroura
- Length: 9.1 to 12.2 inches
- Wingspan: 16.2 to 17.3 inches
- Weight: 3.4 to 5.5 oz
- Coloring: Light brown overall with black spots on wings
- Distinctive Features: Long tapered tail, pointed wings, small head
- Food source: Seeds, grains, snails, insects
- Nesting: Twigs and grass on the ground
Mourning doves can be found year-round across all parts of Texas in a variety of habitats including grasslands, agricultural areas, brushy woodlands, and suburban yards and gardens. They are migratory within the state, traveling south in winter and north in summer.
Hunters pursue mourning doves for their fast, darting flight and sporting challenge. Dove hunting season runs from September 1 through mid-October in the North Zone and through the end of October in the Central Zone and South Zone.
White-Winged Doves
White-winged doves are the second most common dove in Texas. They are larger than mourning doves and have distinctive white stripes on their wings. Their range is concentrated in south and central Texas.
Key facts about white-winged doves:
- Scientific name: Zenaida asiatica
- Length: 11.8 to 13.4 inches
- Wingspan: 16.5 to 18.1 inches
- Weight: 4.9 to 8.1 oz
- Coloring: Grayish-brown overall with white stripes on wings
- Distinctive Features: Large body size, white wing patches
- Food source: Fruits, grains, seeds, greens
- Nesting: Thorny bushes and trees
White-winged doves thrive in the hot, arid climate of southern Texas. They are seen near agricultural fields, brushlands, desert washes, and urban and suburban areas. Populations swell in summer as the doves migrate north from Mexico and Central America.
These fast-flying doves provide exciting wing shooting. The white-winged dove hunting season runs concurrently with mourning dove season in Texas.
Eurasian Collared-Doves
Eurasian collared-doves are an introduced species that have become established across Texas in recent decades. These large, chunky doves have a pale buff color and striking black collar around the neck.
Key facts about Eurasian collared-doves:
- Scientific name: Streptopelia decaocto
- Length: 11.8 to 13.8 inches
- Wingspan: 21.7 to 23.6 inches
- Weight: 5.9 to 8.5 oz
- Coloring: Pale buff gray overall with black half-collar on neck
- Distinctive Features: Thick neck, large body, long tail
- Food source: Seeds, grains, fruits
- Nesting: Ledges, rafters, trees
Eurasian collared-doves are found throughout Texas near human habitation in towns, suburbs, and agricultural areas. They do not migrate and may remain in the same areas year-round.
While legally hunted during dove season, Eurasian collared-doves are an invasive species in Texas, competing with native doves for resources. Limits have been proposed for the harvest of this non-native game bird to control spread.
Ideal Habitats for Dove Hunting in Texas
Some of the best places in Texas to hunt doves include:
- Agricultural areas – Doves are drawn to crop fields like wheat, milo, corn, and sunflower that provide ample food sources.
- Brushlands – Native shrubs and trees in South Texas provide ideal habitat, food, and cover.
- Field edges – The borders between forests and open lands offer a combination of food and cover dove flock to.
- Watering holes – Doves concentrate at ponds, tanks, and watering holes especially in arid regions.
- Recently burned areas – Fresh green-up following controlled burns will bring in doves.
- Urban areas – Doves readily adapt to towns and suburbs with seed and water availability.
Dove hunting is permitted nearly statewide in Texas with the exception of areas near the Mexican border which are designated as no-hunting zones.
Best Times to Hunt Doves in Texas
September through October are peak months for dove hunting in Texas. Some key times when hunting is best include:
- Early dove season – Opening day and the first two weeks of September see heavy concentrations as migratory birds arrive.
- Evening flights – Morning and late afternoon are when doves are most active flying between feeding and roosting areas.
- Crop harvest – Freshly harvested grain fields will attract large dove numbers.
- Frosts – Cooler weather in October triggers increased feeding behavior and bird concentrations.
- Mid-day warmth – Doves will fly to water mid-day on hotter September afternoons.
Hunters should scout areas in advance to pattern dove movements and locate hot spots. Having sunlight at your back can improve visibility of dove flocks approaching.
Popular Dove Hunting Techniques
Here are some of the most productive dove hunting techniques used in Texas:
- Pass shooting – Stand in an area doves are known to fly by and intercept them in flight.
- Watering hole hunting – Set up near ponds and tanks and wait for doves to fly in and drink later in the day.
- Roost shooting – Identify evening roost sites and wait for doves to return at dusk.
- Spot and stalk – Walk areas known to hold doves flushing them from cover.
- Retrieving dogs – Well-trained dogs help find and retrieve downed doves.
- Decoys – Life-like dove decoys can help attract birds in close.
Hunting over freshly baited areas is prohibited in Texas so most hunting relies on doves’ natural food sources and movements.
Shotguns and Loads for Dove Hunting
A wide variety of shotguns can be effective for dove hunting in Texas. Some popular choices include:
- 12 or 20 gauge semi-autos – Fast handling on multiple shots.
- Over/unders and side-by-sides – Classic bird guns with a polished look.
- Pump shotguns – Reliable and economical option.
- Lightweight youth models – Ideal for younger or smaller-framed hunters.
Improved cylinder or skeet chokes deliver wide patterning suitable for fast moving doves. Light trap loads with #8 or #9 shot minimize meat damage on these smaller upland birds. High velocity loads extend reach for longer range shots when needed.
Dove Hunting Regulations in Texas
Several key regulations govern dove hunting in Texas:
- A hunting license and dove stamp are required unless exempt.
- Bag limit is 15 mourning/white-winged doves in aggregate per day.
- Eurasian collared-doves have a separate liberal limit.
- Only approved shot sizes may be used – #2 or smaller or nontoxic shot.
- Doves may be hunted from noon to sunset during designated seasons.
- Baiting and electronic calling are prohibited.
Consult the Texas Parks and Wildlife hunting regulations for full details. Hunter education certification is required for hunters born after 1971.
Dove Field Setups and Strategies
succesful day hunting doves in Texas requires careful planning and preparation:
- Select a promising hunting location based on scouting dove patterns and food sources.
- Set up well before shoot time to avoid spooking birds from the area.
- Bring folding stools or chairs to stay comfortable for long sits.
- Face into the sun when possible to see approaching doves silhouetted against the sky.
- Remain still and quiet when birds are in range.
- Be alert and ready to shoulder your gun quickly.
- Take shooting practice on passing birds to sharpen wingshooting skills.
- Bring plenty of shells, water, and snacks to stay ready for action.
- Have a retriever on hand if possible to speed up downed bird retrieval.
- Respect other hunters in the field maintaining safe zones of fire.
Hunting with experienced partners helps identify the best spots and share shooting opportunities. Be sure to obtain landowner permission before accessing any private property.
Cleaning and Cooling Harvested Doves
Proper field care ensures a tasty dove harvest:
- Pluck feathers or remove skin soon after harvest.
- Remove entrails carefully without rupturing the digestive tract.
- Wash thoroughly in cold water.
- Pre-cool in ice chest before transport from the field.
- Keep cleaned doves chilled below 40 degrees F until processing.
- Freeze breast fillets in sealed bags for longer storage.
Take time to appreciate the rewards of a successful day afield. Share extra bounty with friends and family.
Common Ways to Cook Doves
Doves have a delicate, mild flavor that adapts well to a variety of preparations:
- Grilled – Quickly sear over high heat keeping them juicy.
- Fried – Dust in flour or batter and pan-fry, deep-fry or popper-style.
- Kabobs – Alternate with veggies on skewers for a pretty presentation.
- Sautéed – Cook stovetop in butter, olive oil or other liquid fat.
- Roast – Slow roast dove halves or quarters basted in sauce.
- Smoked – Infuse with smoky flavor low and slow on a smoker.
- Pot pie – Simmer in gravy in a baked pastry pie shell.
- Cured – Pickle in brine or marinate in oil-based mixtures.
Incorporate dove breasts into pastas, tacos, dips, and other recipes as you would chicken or other white meat. The versatility of dove allows cooks to get creative.
Conclusion
For many hunters, the mourning dove opener each September signals the start of another exciting hunting season in Texas. Generations have enjoyed the fast-paced challenge of dove hunting. With careful planning and preparation, new hunters can experience the same success and camaraderie this tradition offers.