Texas · Dove · 2026–27 Edition
Texas Dove Season 2026–27: Dates, Bag Limits & Shooting Hours
Sep 1 — mark it
Mark it.
2026–27 Edition
01 — Seasons
| Season | Zones | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Season · Segment 1 | North Zone | Sep 1 – Nov 8 |
| Regular Season · Segment 2 | North Zone | Dec 18 – Jan 7 |
| Regular Season · Segment 1 | Central Zone | Sep 1 – Oct 25 |
| Regular Season · Segment 2 | Central Zone | Dec 11 – Jan 14 |
| Regular Season · Segment 1 | South Zone | Sep 1 – Oct 25 |
| Regular Season · Segment 2 | South Zone | Dec 18 – Jan 21 |
| Falconry | Statewide | Nov 13 – Nov 29 |
02 — Bag limits
| North / Central / South — Daily | 15 birds daily aggregate; no more than 2 may be white-tipped |
|---|---|
| Possession (all zones) | 3× daily bag (45 total) |
| Falconry | 3 birds daily; 3× daily for possession |
| Eurasian Collared-Dove & Rock Pigeon | No closed season, no bag limit — leave plumage on for identification |
03 — Shooting hours
Legal light on opening day (September 1, 2026) 06:43 — 20:00
Rule: From one-half hour before sunrise to sunset (per TPWD). Sunrise/sunset shift daily — the times above are computed for opening day; use your local Texas sun times for any other date.
04 — License & HIP
Dove hunters in Texas need a Texas hunting license and — because doves are migratory game birds — free federal HIP registration (Harvest Information Program). No federal Duck Stamp is required for doves.
Texas licenses & permits — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department →
05 — FAQ
When does dove season open in Texas?
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 Texas?
The latest 2026–27 closing date is January 21, 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 · Texas Parks and Wildlife Department · Last verified 2026-08-01
Publisher's note. Three zones (North / Central / South) per TPWD Outdoor Annual. Per-county rules apply — see the TPWD county selector. All Texas counties have dove seasons. Eurasian collared-dove and rock pigeon have no closed season or bag limit. Migratory Game Bird Endorsement + HIP certification required in addition to a hunting license.