Get ready for hunting
Expectations high for dove, teal seasons in Texas

The outlook for September's early migratory bird hunting in Texas looks promising, according to wildlife biologists with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Dove and teal are expected to flourish as above-normal rainfall through the summer has yielded excellent range conditions throughout much of the state.

"Above-average precipitation statewide has created ideal habitat conditions for doves," said Jay Roberson, TPWD dove program leader. "I expect above-average production this year and hunt success should be higher provided doves are not dispersed."

Roberson explained that the abundant seed production, predominately sunflower and croton, would help recently fledged birds to rapidly put on weight. But, quality range conditions could also cause doves to disperse as food sources become readily available and make managed fields less attractive early in the season.

Dove season in the North Zone is set for Sept. 1-Oct. 30, with a 15-bird bag and not more than two white-tipped doves; the Central Zone runs Sept. 1- Oct. 30 and reopens Dec. 26-Jan. 4, with a 12-bird bag and not more than two white-tipped doves; and the South Zone is set for Sept. 21-Nov. 11, reopening Dec. 26-Jan. 12 with a 12 bird bag and not more than two white-tipped doves. Possession limit is twice the daily bag.

The Special South Texas Whitewing Zone, which now encompasses land west of I-35 and south of U. S. Highway 90, is open to white-winged dove afternoon only (noon to sunset) hunting the first two Saturdays and Sundays in September. The daily bag limit is 12 birds, not more than four (4) mourning doves and two (2) whitetipped doves.

The early teal season runs Sept. 15-23 in the High Plains Mallard Management Unit and Sept. 15-30 in all other Texas counties. The daily bag limit for teal is four.

"There is lots of rain and water on the coast and we're looking at the third highest population of bluewings on record heading this way, so it could be unbelievable," said Dave Morrison, TPWD's waterfowl program leader. "Greenwings are also at near record highs. But, with all the water we have, it could spread the birds out. Everybody is going to get some of the gravy."

Both greenwing and bluewing teal numbers this year are about 50 percent above the long-term population averages, said Morrison. "The September teal season has the potential to be one of the best in the last several years," he added.

Because hunting conditions are so good, TPWD anticipates a large turnout for the dove season opener in the North and Central Zones and is urging hunters to purchase their hunting license early to avoid last-minute delays. Licenses go on sale Aug. 15 and can be purchased at all TPWD law enforcement offices and from more than 1,200 retail outlets statewide.

Hunters are also reminded a state migratory game bird stamp is required for doves, waterfowl and sandhill cranes and in addition, a Federal Duck Stamp is needed to hunt teal.

Dove and teal hunters should take note they may only use "plugged" shotguns capable of holding no more than three shotshells and if you are hunting teal be sure to carry only approved nontoxic shotshells into the field as lead shot is prohibited.

If you don't have a place to hunt, TPWD offers opportunities for both dove and teal on managed public lands and leased private land. For $48, the price of an Annual Public Hunting Permit from TPWD, hunters can access more than a million acres of public hunting lands, including 155 units covering more than 56,000 acres leased primarily for hunting dove and other small game. TPWD's public hunting program leased the land using money generated by permit sales.

While public hunting lands can be found throughout the state, most of the dove and small game leases occur along the I-35 and I-10 corridors within easy driving distance of the major metropolitan areas. Some areas offer special hunting opportunity for youth.

For the latest dove hunting conditions across Texas, check out TPWD's Weekly Migratory Game Bird Report on the Web starting in early September.

Weekly Migratory Bird Hunting Report

Weekly migratory bird hunting reports are posted from early September through early February.

High Plains Mallard Management Unit: Playa lakes filled to the brim encouraged bluewings to stop in the Panhandle. Good hunts were reported near Amarillo, Dumas, Etter and Spearman. Knox City hunters enjoyed good shoots as well. Prospects are good.

North Zone Teal: Teal hunting was fair to good on lakes and reservoirs in Northeast Texas. Lake O'the Pines and the Sulfur River bottom saw limits of birds. Caddo Lake hunting was slow. Toledo Bend, Lake Murvaul, Lake Lewisville and Lake Fork held birds. Better hunting was found closer the coast along the boundary line of IH-10. Devers, Sealy, China, Winnie and Hamshire rice fields were good for limit shoots. Central Texas hunters said they saw more teal than they have seen in a long time. A wet West Texas provide shoots on secluded ponds. Collin County took limits on small lakes and private ponds. Prospects are good.

South Zone Teal: Hunters across the coastal prairies and marshes said opening weekend of teal season was as good as 2006. A year ago, drought conditions across Texas, with the exception of the coast, had birds concentrated in the rice belt and marshes. This year, water is everywhere, and many hunters along the coast feared the birds would be scattered throughout the state. However, limits of bluewings were the norm and not the exception along the coast. The brunt of the birds seemed to be concentrated near El Campo, Garwood, Eagle Lake, Lissie, Wharton, Collegeport, Chesterville, Winnie and the High Island and Anahuac marshes. Hunters queried said 80 percent of their birds were drake bluewings, giving rise to the notion the second migration, mostly young males and hens that did not raise a brood, still have not made it to the coast. That could change any day with the forthcoming full moon slated for Sept. 26. Prospects are excellent.

North Zone Dove: Hunters in the Panhandle reported half-limits of mourning doves in milo and cornfields. Those able to rotate fields have taken limits of birds in the afternoon around watering holes.

Collin County and Harrison County hunters said they saw an influx of birds this week with the north winds. Good numbers of mourners have been using soybeans near Bogota and Mount Pleasant.

Look for more northern birds to migrate through the state with a brighter moon and cooler temperatures.

Prospects are fair to good.

Central Zone Dove: San Antonio, Uvalde, Hondo and Del Rio continue to be the hotspots for whitewings, though hunting has slowed somewhat.

Best hunts have been over sunflowers, milo and corn. More mourners moved into Central Texas with the recent cool snap. Best hunts there have been over water in the afternoon. Prospects are fair to good.

South Zone Dove: The South Zone opens Sept. 21 and prospects look good. Whitewings are plentiful in the Rio Grande Valley near Harlingen, Brownsville, McAllen and Port Mansfield. Fields near Uvalde, Hondo, San Antonio, Laredo and Freer are holding birds. El Campo, Anahuac, Wharton and Matagorda County fields are showing lots of doves on power lines and fences. Beeville, Victoria, George West and Three Rivers should see steady shoots.

Prospects are good.