Texas Announces Longest Dove Season in 80 Years

States are setting dates for 2016-2017 hunting seasons, and wingshooters in Texas have reason to be pleased. The Lone Star State will host a 90-day dove season, its longest in 80 years.

Texas' traditional opening date, Sept. 1, will remain the same. It's a fixed date, issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. However, an additional 20 days will push the dove hunting season into January. The state announced the extended season earlier this week.

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 opportunities.

The announced dates are as follows:

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.

Texas' daily 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.

For more information, go to TPWD.Texas.Gov.