Indiana · Dove · 2026 Edition
Indiana Dove Season 2026: Dates, Bag Limits & Shooting Hours
01 — Seasons
| Season | Zones | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Mourning Dove · Segment 1 | Statewide | Sep 1 – Oct 18 |
| Mourning Dove · Segment 2 | Statewide | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Mourning Dove · Segment 3 | Statewide | Dec 19 – Dec 31 |
02 — Bag limits
| Daily | 15, for mourning and white-winged doves in aggregate |
|---|---|
| Possession | 45, for mourning and white-winged doves in aggregate |
03 — Shooting hours
Legal light on opening day (September 1, 2026) 06:43 — 20:16
Rule: Half an hour before sunrise to sunset for all migratory birds except early-season teal (per the Indiana DNR migratory gamebird regulations). Indiana's one-page season summary states 'sunrise to sunset' for migratory birds instead — the two DNR documents disagree, so check with the department before shooting early. Individual DNR properties may set later hours. Sunrise/sunset shift daily — the times above are computed for opening day; use your local Indiana sun times for any other date.
04 — License & HIP
Dove hunters in Indiana need an Indiana hunting license and — because doves are migratory game birds — HIP registration (Harvest Information Program). No federal Duck Stamp is required for doves.
Indiana hunting license cost →
Where to hunt public land in Indiana — WMAs by county & access rules →
05 — FAQ
When does dove season open in Indiana?
The 2026 opener is September 1, 2026. Most states open Sep 1 under the federal migratory bird framework.
When does dove season end in Indiana?
The latest 2026 closing date is December 31, 2026. Split segments and late seasons vary — see the table above.
Do I need a Duck Stamp to hunt doves?
No. Doves are migratory game birds but the federal Duck Stamp is only required for waterfowl (ducks, geese, brant, swans). Dove hunters need only their state hunting license and HIP registration.
How many doves can you shoot in Indiana per day?
2026 bag limits: Daily — 15, for mourning and white-winged doves in aggregate. Possession — 45, for mourning and white-winged doves in aggregate. Limits are set per zone and per permit — check the agency's own regulations before you hunt.
What time can you start shooting doves in Indiana?
On opening day (September 1, 2026) legal light runs 06:43 to 20:16. The rule is: Half an hour before sunrise to sunset for all migratory birds except early-season teal (per the Indiana DNR migratory gamebird regulations). Sunrise and sunset shift daily, so work the offset against your local Indiana sun times for any other date.
Can I hunt doves on my own land in Indiana without a license?
Indiana farmland owners (resident or nonresident) and the spouse/children living with them may hunt, fish, and trap without a license on land they own; a resident lessee who actually farms it gets the same right. This applies to farmland only — non-farm acreage doesn't qualify — and a nonresident owner needs to be from a state that grants Indiana landowners the same right, plus carry proof of ownership.
Verified · Indiana Department of Natural Resources · Last verified 2026-08-11
Publisher's note. Dates from the Indiana DNR migratory gamebird seasons page and the department's own 'Indiana 2026-2027 Hunting & Trapping Seasons' one-pager, which agree on all three segments. TWO DNR DOCUMENTS DISAGREE ON SHOOTING HOURS: the migratory gamebird regulations page states 'Shooting hours for all migratory birds (except for teal during early teal season) is one-half hour before sunrise to sunset', while the one-page season summary prints 'Migratory bird hunting hours: sunrise to sunset'. The rule below follows the migratory-bird regulations page, the more specific of the two — but half an hour is the difference between a legal shot and a violation, so confirm with Indiana DNR before hunting the first light. Bag and possession limits are for mourning and white-winged doves in aggregate. Some DNR properties set their own, later hours.