Texas Porch

Migratory birds

Dove

Mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped.

Texas's biggest opening-day tradition, split into three zones.

Where

Statewide, in three zones (North, Central, South).

Daily / season limit

15 per day (mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped combined), with no more than 2 white-tipped. Possession is 3x the daily limit (45).

Season(s) (2026-2027)

  • North Sept. 1 - Nov. 8, 2026 and Dec. 18, 2026 - Jan. 7, 2027
  • Central Sept. 1 - Oct. 25, 2026 and Dec. 11, 2026 - Jan. 14, 2027
  • South Sept. 1 - Oct. 25, 2026 and Dec. 18, 2026 - Jan. 21, 2027

License & add-ons

Hunting license plus the Migratory Game Bird Endorsement and HIP certification.

  • Migratory Game Bird Endorsement
  • HIP certification

Quirks & things to watch

  • Eurasian collared-doves and common pigeons (rock doves) have no season and no limit — they aren't native.
  • This season the South Zone opens Sept. 1 like the rest of the state; the old Special White-winged Dove Days are gone.

Source to confirm: TPWD Dove / Migratory Bird Regulations

More migratory birds

Others like this

Official sources

Hunting rules for dove come from Texas Parks & Wildlife. Confirm the season, limits, and your county's rules before you hunt.

Data vintage:
Built on the 2026-2027 season
Last reviewed:
June 15, 2026

Caution: Seasons, limits, and open counties change every year. The official TPWD pages are the final word.

Page feedback

See something wrong or unclear?

Send a note about this page. The page address will be included automatically.

Send a note