I just got back from a week in Mico, TX (west of San Antonio) and I can tell you this. Even though the last 2-3 years have been not as good according to the locals, I saw dove every time we turned around last week. Flying over head, sitting on the power line, standing in line at the grocery store, circling the tanks. I think it is going to be a good year!
If you have some eyes on dove in your neck of the woods, please provide a comment below so others can see.
Does Weather Play A Part In Dove Season?
Yes it does. Large weather systems like hurricanes can move migratory bird patterns hundreds of miles in either direction. This season has been really mild with respect to hurricanes, so this doesn’t seem to be a problem in 2019.
How Does Weather Affect The Choke And Shells You Use?
Really choke selection is going to be about the kinds of shots you are likely to get in your chosen hunting area. For longer shots you would consider a full choke, while for closer shots and crossing patterns, you might be better off with a modified choke. Most people hunt dove with an open / modified choke and 7 1/2 shot, but your specific hunting conditions may dictate a different setup.
Is It True That Opening Weekend Is Always The Best?
I don’t know about where you hunt, but in the Central Zone in Texas, it always seems that you see plenty of birds on the wire until you get to the first day of Dove Season. Then they seem to take off like they know the season is open. For this reason, I tend to like to go on opening day and then continue if the hunting is good.
How Does Someone Hunt Dove If They Want To Try?
- Get a hunting license: You can get a license for hunting dove in the State of Texas by going to this link: https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/licenses/hunting-licenses-and-permits
- Find some available land to hunt on: This part is a little more tricky as there aren’t any open hunting lands in Texas that you can use for hunting dove that I am aware of.
You can easily find a guide to assist you by googling “guided dove hunts houston tx” for example – OR – you lease some land for the season by going in with a group of friends and leasing some appropriate land for the season. If you haven’t hunted before, going with a guide is your best option.
What Are The Dove Hunting Zones In Texas?
When Does Dove Season Open In Texas?
Dove season varies for each zone in Texas.
Regular Dove Season
North Zone
Sept. 1 – Nov. 12, 2019
Dec. 20, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020
Central Zone
Sept. 1 – Nov. 3, 2019
Dec. 20, 2019 – Jan. 14
South Zone
Sept. 14 – Nov. 3, 2019
Dec. 20, 2019 – Jan. 23,
Special White-winged Dove Days
South Zone
Sept. 1 – 2, 2019
Sept. 7 – 8, 2019
Falconry Statewide
Nov. 16 – Dec. 2, 2019
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