Beyond the 806
Texas Sets First Statewide September 1 Dove Opener - Dallas Express
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will open dove season September 1 statewide for the first time ever, giving South Texas hunters an earlier start that was previously blocked by federal concerns over late-nesting mourning doves. The change is backed by newer biological data that convinced TPWD the old delay was no longer necessary.
The change is backed by newer biological data that convinced TPWD the old delay was no longer necessary. The timing matters: biologists estimate Texas now holds 36.7 million mourning doves and a record 12.9 million white-winged doves, meaning hunters heading out to fields around Lubbock and across the state will find plenty of birds.
For the more than 300,000 Texans who participate in dove season each year, a unified September 1 opener simplifies planning considerably. No more tracking separate zone calendars or watching South Texas friends sit out while everyone else shoots. The season generates over $500 million in economic activity statewide, so the extra hunting days in South Texas translate into real dollars for outfitters, feed stores, and rural economies.
West Texas hunters have long opened September 1 in the North and Central zones, so the date itself is nothing new. What changes is that every region now lines up on the same day.
Common questions
Why is Texas doing a statewide September 1 dove opener for the first time?
- Newer biological data convinced Texas Parks and Wildlife that the old delay was no longer needed. Federal concerns about late-nesting mourning doves had previously blocked South Texas from opening on September 1, but updated science cleared the way for a unified statewide start.
How many doves are in Texas right now?
- Biologists estimate Texas currently holds 36.7 million mourning doves and a record 12.9 million white-winged doves. Those numbers apply statewide, including fields around Lubbock, and suggest hunters should have plenty of birds to pursue this season.
What does the statewide September 1 opener mean for Texas dove hunters?
- It simplifies planning for the more than 300,000 Texans who hunt doves each year. Previously, hunters had to track separate zone calendars. Now everyone opens on the same day, so there is no more waiting while hunters in other parts of the state are already in the field.
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