Dove season is just around the corner!

Dove season is just around the corner in Texas, and TPWD put out a helpful 2011-2012 dove hunting regulations PDF map that displays the season dates and daily bag limits for each of the four zones in Texas.   Below are the details for each zone, and make sure you play by the rules otherwise it will cost you: a per bird fine + civil restitution per bird + court costs + potentially your hunting gear, including firearms.  The exact fine and civil restitution amounts aren’t published and set by local authorities and TPWD, respectively; but according to the lucky few posting on forums you’re looking at about $150-250/bird fine and $15.50-$50/bird civil restitution.  Fire, Ready, Aim!

North Zone:

Sept. 1 – Oct. 23, 2011 and Dec. 23, 2011 – Jan. 8, 2012

• SHOOTING HOURS:  One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
• DAILY BAG LIMIT: 15 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped (white-fronted) doves in the aggregate, to include not more than 2 white-tipped doves.
• POSSESSION LIMIT:  Twice the daily bag limit(obviously except on opening day)

Central Zone:

Sept. 1 – Oct. 23, 2011 and Dec. 23, 2011 – Jan. 8, 2012

• SHOOTING HOURS:  One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
• DAILY BAG LIMIT: 15 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped (white-fronted) doves in the aggregate, to include not more than 2 white-tipped doves.
• POSSESSION LIMIT:  Twice the daily bag limit(obviously except on opening day)

South Zone:

Sept 23 – Oct. 30, 2011 and Dec. 23, 2011 – Jan. 23, 2012

• SHOOTING HOURS:  One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
• DAILY BAG LIMIT: 15 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped (white-fronted) doves in the aggregate, to include not more than 2 white-tipped doves.
• POSSESSION LIMIT:  Twice the daily bag limit(obviously except on opening day)

Special White-Winged Dove Area:

Photo courtesy of Emmett Tullos III