ALMOST A LONESOME DOVE
By Jim Foster
What’s up in Austin at Texas Parks and Wildlife? In past years dove seasons were set weeks ago, printed in the TPW Outdoor Annual, and hunters from across the country were making plans. Not this year.
For some unknown reason, I didn’t call to find out, TPW has had to print an Early Season Migratory Game Bird Digest supplement they say was available August 15 from license vendors and on the TPW web site. Now if the computer in Austin that runs license sales works we may get to hunt.
Don’t forget all Texas hunting licenses expire August 31.
In spite of all the red tape and delays all of my sources are predicting and excellent hunting season. Habitat conditions are in great shape and Dolly hit after the chicks were about grown and added enough moisture to get the environment back in shape.
The special whitewing season has become more of a social event than what might be called a hard-core hunt. Don’t get me wrong these hunters want to take a limit of birds home for the skillet but in the field the appearance is a different matter.
If you are hunting one of the many planted sunflower patches just look around. You will see families and groups of hunters with their hunting chairs, ice chests, and some will be cooking on charcoal cookers.
Many decades ago when I first hunted along the border I was amazed at the hunters who would even bring their young goats to the hunt. I learned that lesion quickly and now enjoy a young goat from time to time.
Special White-winged Dove Area (which encompasses all of the Rio Grande Valley, as always, and now stretches west of I-35 and south of U. S. Highway 90): white-winged dove afternoon-only (noon to sunset) hunting September 6-7 and 13-14;
Mourning dove season then will open September 20-Nov. 9 and again from December 26-January 9.
The daily bag limit during the first two weekends is 12 birds, not more than four (4) mourning dove and two (2) white-tipped dove.
The daily bag limit during the remainder of the Special White-winged Dove Area is 12 birds, not more than two (2) white-tipped dove. Possession limit is twice the daily bag.
For the 2008-2009 mourning dove seasons the South Zone: September 20-November 9, and again opening December 26-January 13. There will be a 12-bird bag and not more than two white-tipped dove during this hunt. Possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.
In the North Zone: September 1-October 30, with a 15-bird bag including not more than two white-tipped dove.
The Central Zone opens September 1-October 30 and will reopen on December 26-January 4. The limit here is 12-birds including not more than two white-tipped dove. Possession limit is twice the daily bag.
Good hunting!
If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please Email him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com
