Tennessee · Dove · 2026–27 Edition
Tennessee Dove Season 2026–27: Dates, Bag Limits & Shooting Hours
Sep 1 — mark it
Mark it.
2026–27 Edition
01 — Seasons
| Season | Zones | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Opener · Noon start (12:00 – sunset) | Statewide | Sep 1 – Sep 1 |
| Dove · Segment 1 (continuation) | Statewide | Sep 2 – Sep 28 |
| Dove · Segment 2 | Statewide | Oct 10 – Nov 1 |
| Dove · Segment 3 | Statewide | Dec 8 – Jan 15 |
02 — Bag limits
| Mourning Dove — Daily | 15 |
|---|---|
| Possession | 45 (3× daily limit for all migratory game birds) |
| Eurasian Collared-Dove | No limit — but any dove not readily identifiable as Eurasian collared counts toward the mourning-dove bag |
03 — Shooting hours
Legal light on opening day (September 1, 2026) 05:49 — 19:13
Rule: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset (federal migratory-bird framework) — EXCEPT opening day (Sept 1) which opens at noon. Confirm with TWRA.. Sunrise/sunset shift daily — the times above are computed for opening day; use your local Tennessee sun times for any other date.
04 — License & HIP
Dove hunters in Tennessee need a Tennessee hunting license and — because doves are migratory game birds — free federal HIP registration (Harvest Information Program). No federal Duck Stamp is required for doves.
Tennessee licenses & permits — Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency →
05 — FAQ
When does dove season open in Tennessee?
The 2026–27 opener is September 1, 2026. Most states open Sep 1 under the federal migratory bird framework.
When does dove season end in Tennessee?
The latest 2026–27 closing date is January 15, 2027. 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 free HIP registration.
Verified · Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency · Last verified 2026-08-01
Publisher's note. Statewide dates per TWRA seasons summary. Opening day (Sept 1) opens at noon (not sunrise) — captured as its own row. No limit on Eurasian collared doves; any dove not readily identifiable as Eurasian collared is counted as mourning dove for bag/possession purposes. Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit required.