Texas is a recognized state for dove hunting, and this forthcoming hunting season should be thrilling for all shooters. Hunters can chase these swiftly gliding game birds during the season, typically in autumn. As the 2023 hunting season draws near, many hunters are preparing for their forthcoming exploits by storing supplies, scoping out potential hunting grounds, and reviewing hunting laws. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s rules and laws regarding the dove hunting season will be covered in depth in this piece, along with specifics on the kinds of protected shooting birds allowed in Texas.
Content Highlights
Texas Dove Season 2023
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has released information about the forthcoming pigeon shooting season in Texas. Each of the three shooting zones—North, Central, and South—has its own set of particular times for the season. The Central and South Zones each have six Special White-Winged Dove Days. Hunters must adhere to daily load restrictions, have a current hunting registration, and have the migrating bird certification.
Regular Season
Texas Regular Dove Season
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
North
Friday, September 01, 2023
Sunday, November 12, 2023
North
Friday, December 15, 2023
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Central
Friday, September 01, 2023
Sunday, October 29, 2023
Central
Friday, December 15, 2023
Sunday, January 14, 2024
South
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Sunday, October 29, 2023
South
Friday, December 15, 2023
Sunday, January 21, 2024
Special Season
Texas Special Dove Season
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
White-winged Dove Days (South)
Friday, September 01, 2023
Sunday, September 03, 2023
White-winged Dove Days (South)
Friday, September 08, 2023
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Falconry Dove Season
Falconry Season
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Statewide
18-Nov
4-Dec
Bag Limit
Falconry Season
Hunting Start Dates
Hunting End Dates
Statewide
18-Nov
4-Dec
Texas Legal & Protected hunting bird types
Legal and protected game bird species/Image Credit: pwd.texas.gov
Species
Description
Hunting Status
Mourning Dove
Brown with black spots on wing, pointed tail
Legal throughout Texas
White-winged Dove
White bar on wing, rounded tail
Legal in South Texas, increasing statewide
White-tipped Dove
Rust-colored wing linings, rounded tail
Legal in South Texas
Eurasian Collared-Dove
Pale gray body, black bill, narrow black collar on nape of neck
Unprotected
Rock Dove
Gray, brown or white, plump body, small head
Unprotected
Band-tailed Pigeon
Yellow bill, white band on neck
Protected - Do Not Hunt
Inca Dove
Scaly-looking, small, brown body
Protected - Do Not Hunt
Common Ground Dove
Sandy brown color, dark spots on wings, short round tail, short thin bill
Protected - Do Not Hunt
Hunting Regulations
Anyone wanting to pursue migrating game birds must have a hunting license.
Hunting license purchases require hunters to declare their purpose for migrating game birds and provide basic information to become HIP certified and qualified to hunt such birds.
Hunters in Texas must possess a migrating Game Bird Stamp Endorsement to pursue migrating game birds like doves legally.
A shooter should notify birds with leg bands by going to the website reportband.gov.
Dove Hunting Licenses
License Type
Cost (Resident)
Cost (Non-Resident)
Annual License
$47
$315
One-Day License
$7
$47
Locations & Dove Zones
The state of Texas has three shooting zones to regulate and handle the activity of dove hunting. The North Zone covers the northern portion of Texas, the Middle Zone covers the middle portion, and the South Zone covers the southern and coastal portions. Dates and weight restrictions for the dove season vary by zone. While the Central Zone has public areas open for shooting, the South Zone is customarily regarded as the finest zone for dove hunting. To determine which zone they are in and to make hunting excursion plans appropriately, hunters can use the shooting zones chart provided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Hunters can also locate public shooting areas in Texas using the Texas Public Hunting Map.
Texas Dove hunting locations/Map Credit: pwd.texas.gov
Central Zone
The region of the state that lies between the North and South Zones
North Zone
Starting point
International Bridge south of Fort Hancock
North boundary
FM 1088
West boundary
State Highway 20
North boundary
State Highway 148
North boundary
Interstate Highway 10 at Fort Hancock
East boundary
Interstate Highway 10
Northeast boundary
Interstate Highway 20
Northeast boundary
Interstate Highway 30 at Fort Worth
Ending point
Texas-Arkansas state line
South Zone
Starting Point
End Point
International Toll Bridge in Del Rio
U.S. Highway 277 Spur in Del Rio
U.S. Highway 277 Spur in Del Rio
U.S. Highway 90 in Del Rio
U.S. Highway 90 in Del Rio
State Loop 1604
State Loop 1604
Interstate Highway 10
Interstate Highway 10
Texas-Louisiana Line
FAQ related to Texas Dove Hunting Season
When is the regular dove season in Texas?
The regular dove season differs by zone in Texas. It continues in the North Zone from September 1 to November 13 and then restarts on December 17 until January 1, 2023. It continues in the Central Zone from September 1 to October 30 and then restarts on December 17 until January 15, 2023. It continues in the South Zone from September 14 to October 30 and then returns on December 17 until January 22, 2023.
What are the bag limits for dove hunting in Texas?
Doves are subject to a daily bag restriction in Texas of 15 birds per day, of which no more than two may be white-tipped, white-winged, or mourning doves.
Are there any special dove hunting days in Texas?
Yes, Texas will have six Special White-Winged Dove Days from September 2-4 and September 9–11, 2023. Only white-winged doves may be taken during these times, and a daily weight restriction of 15 birds is imposed.
What is the bag limit for common pigeons (rock doves) in Texas?
Texas has no weight limits or restricted seasons for shooting common pigeons (also known as rock doves). To help identify, it is advised to leave the birds’ feathers intact.
