Article on Texas dove hunting

[King Cobb]

Thought I would share this article I wrote on the Texas Dove season for local paper. It's a different article than I usually write, but when your job title is agricultural Extension Agent, you kind of cover everything in rural Texas. Btw, 90% of Dove harvested in the US are harvested in Texas.

Texas Dove Hunting Prospects Bright

Each year Labor Day weekend means cookouts, family get togethers, College Football Season, and to 415,000 hunters each year it means the start of Dove Season. *This year looks to be a very good one with both high numbers of birds and an extended season. *Mourning dove numbers in the state are projected to be extremely high due to plentiful rain and good food sources this past spring. In the Texas Panhandle they are projected to be the highest numbers in a decade. *

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*In addition to the spring rains, recent summer rains have been beneficial as well, but hunters need to be aware of the condition of their hunting areas. *“Hunters should be prepared for good seed production across the state, so there will be plenty food available for mourning doves except in areas where flooding occurred,” said Oldenburger. “This may make hunting a little more difficult due to thick vegetation cover, and hunters will need to spend a little more time finding downed birds in areas due to this issue during opening day in some areas.”*

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Dove hunting generates more hunting effort in the state than any other game species except deer. *The accompanying tourism dollars from dove hunting are increasingly important to rural landowners and communities. *Based on a 2005 survey conducted for the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by Southwick and Associates, Texas dove hunting was annually valued at $177 million in retail sales alone and an overall economic impact of $316 million.* Texas dove hunting produces 3,145 jobs in the private sector and $21 million in local sales tax revenue.*These numbers have only grown in the last decade!

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It is a big part of business for local land owners and hunters as well with many people hunting on their own property or on leases around Clay County they have historically had. *Montz Pecan Company has a long history of hunters coming out and hunting dove opening weekend according to Jake Montz. “We typically have about 50 hunters a day out here the 1st*3 days. *It’s something my dad started years ago and we have just kept it going.” Alan Schaffner owner of Lone Star Hunts has been doing a big Dove Hunt for the last 15 years, “We expect to have 75-100 hunters out here opening weekend.” *It isn’t just an event for them, “It’s a vital part of our business…another avenue of hunting to explore.”

Most people here in Clay County have probably seen dove. *But did you know there are 10 species of doves and pigeons found in Texas? *The two most numerous and economically important are mourning doves and white-winged doves. *Mourning doves occur over most of North America but winter in the southern United States, Mexico and Central America. *White-winged doves are currently found throughout Texas except for the East Texas Pineywoods, and they are concentrated primarily in urban areas. *

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A new 90-day season this fall means hunters will have 20 more days of opportunity compared with previous years. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is integrating those additional days early in the season to take advantage of mourning dove migrating into the state. Dove season in the North Zone runs Sept. 1 – Nov. 13 and Dec. 17 – Jan. 1, 2017; in the Central Zone from Sept. 1 – Nov. 6 and Dec. 17 – Jan. 8, 2017; and in the South Zone from Sept. 23 – Nov. 13 and Dec. 17 – Jan. 23, 2017. The daily bag limit for doves statewide is 15 and the possession limit 45.

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Hunters are reminded that all current hunting licenses expire Aug. 31 and in addition to a 2016-17 hunting license, anyone born after Sept. 1, 1971, must successfully complete a hunter education training course. Those under 17 and those 17 and older who purchase a one-time deferral license may hunt legally in Texas if accompanied by a licensed hunter 17 years or older who has passed hunter education or who is otherwise exempt. Accompanied means being within normal voice control. The TPWD Hunter Education certification is valid for life and is honored in all other states and provinces. More information on hunter education certification is available online

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Happy Hunting!