Dove hunting season forecast: Record numbers greet historic South Texas opener
PUBLISHED Aug 31, 2026, 11:40 PM ET
Texas has unified its dove hunting regulations for the first time in over a century, allowing hunters in South Texas to begin the season on September 1. Previously, restrictive federal regulations forced South Texas hunters to wait until mid-September due to historical concerns over late-nesting mourning doves. Following a comprehensive review of contemporary biological data, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department collaborated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to establish the uniform opening date. The regulatory change eliminates the historical Special White-winged Dove Days and aligns legal shooting hours and bag limits statewide. State wildlife surveys indicate robust population metrics, estimating approximately 37 million mourning doves and a record-breaking 12.9 million white-winged doves following favorable spring and summer rainfall conditions. The three-year experimental framework aims to evaluate harvest metrics and population dynamics while accommodating over 300,000 licensed hunters who contribute significantly to the state economy through rural tourism and outdoor recreation expenditures.
By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News
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Left: Highlighted environmental impact and conservation balance of migratory bird populations. Center: Emphasized factual regulatory updates and historical policy changes for hunters. Right: Focused on economic benefits, property rights, and reduction of government regulations.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced unified statewide dove season opening. https://tpwd.texas.gov/newsmedia/releases/?req=20250815a
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Dove hunting season forecast: Record numbers greet historic South Texas opener
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