4 Tips For A Great (and LONG) Dove Season

According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, our Dove Season here in Texas will be the longest it has been in 80 years with an additional 20 days.  Check out the dates below:

2016-17 Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

AUSTIN – Texas dove hunters can look forward to the longest season in 80 years, thanks to season dates adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission recently.

While the traditional opening dates established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service remain fixed, a new 90-day season this fall means hunters will have 20 more days of opportunity compared to previous years.

The additional days are being integrated early in the season to take advantage of birds migrating into the state, as well as at the end of the season in the Special White-winged Dove Area to offer more wingshooting opportunities.

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.

-TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE

With the season opener less than 30 days away, it's time to start thinking about gearing up for Dove Season.  Here at Twisted Oak Hunting & Outfitter Supply, we have stocked up on shells in 20 and 12 guage. Browning field vests and dove bags.  Lucky Duck Air Dove and Rapid Flyer (with flapping wing action Decoys) are in stock as well as foam decoys, snake guards by Foreverlast, and Cowboy's Wild Game Washer.  We are also carrying a full line of gun cleaning supplies and kits by Gunslick.

A few things to remember for dove season.

1. Get a Cowboy's Wild Game Washer.  This is one of the best game cleaning aids I have seen on the market.  It can be your seat in the field, hold your birds, extra shells, spent shells, whatever you want.  When you are done, breast your birds, then find a hose let the bucket do the work.
2. Don't forget the water. Here in Texas dove season (especially early season) is HOT.  Remember to take plenty of water.  I usually bring a cooler with water bottles on ice.  Whatever adult beverages you want to bring for AFTER the hunt is up to you and will dictate the size of cooler necessary.  If you will be hunting in an area where you don't have access to a hose, bring 5 gallon water cooler with tap water and no ice for cleaning birds and washing hands. 
3. Snake Boots/Guards are a must. I think I have seen more snakes (including Rattlesnakes, no... MOSTLY Rattlesnakes) while dove hunting.  It's just the nature of the beast.  They want to enjoy the heat too. So, protect yourself, carry a snakebite kit, know first aid, and know where the nearest hospital is of course.
4. Decoys and decoy trees.  I have no idea why dove fall for decoys, but they do... ALOT! Even the most beat up cheap little clothes pinned to the fence are effective.  Why a bird would fly into a white pvc "tree" with decoys that have spinning or flapping wings yet are going nowhere escapes me.  I guess the the brain is just too small for that kind of critical thinking.  The point is, they work!

Dove season is a great time to bring the family out to the ranch. Especially later in the season when things begin to cool off.  You just can't beat fresh bacon wrapped, jalapeno dove kabobs at the campfire after a good dove hunt.  Take plenty of shells, because you know you will miss... ALOT!