Texas Dove Season Is Kicking Off

Dove season opener is one of the few hunts in Texas that feels like a holiday. Fields fill up fast, so if you have not locked down a spot yet, now is the time.

The best fields right now are the ones with a mix of bare dirt, water nearby, and recently cut sunflower or wheat. Doves want an easy flight line between feed, water and roost, and the first few days of the season see the heaviest traffic before birds scatter from hunting pressure. Get out and glass a field the evening before opener if you can.

Gun fit matters more in dove season than almost any other hunt, since you are taking a huge number of quick, crossing shots over a few hours. A lighter, quicker-handling shotgun will usually out-shoot a heavier gun for most hunters on doves. If you are running a suppressed shotgun setup, confirm your choke and load combination patterns clean through the can before opening day, since some subsonic and standard dove loads pattern differently once suppressed.

Bring more shells than you think you will need. Dove hunting has one of the worst shots-to-birds ratios of any wingshooting, and that is normal, not a sign you need to change anything. A 5-gallon bucket seat, sunscreen, and plenty of water matter as much as your gun in the Texas heat this time of year.

Double check your hunting license, Migratory Game Bird stamp endorsement, and HIP certification before you head out, and know your zone's season dates and bag limit, since the North, Central and South zones do not all open on the same day.

Stop by the shop before opener if you need shells, a choke swap, or want your suppressor mount checked. See you in the field.