Dove Hunting season officially starts on Saturday, September 1, 2012 and Sheriff David Warren along with Texas Game Warden Jake Simmering who is based in Nolan County would like to remind all hunters to be sure that all guidelines and regulations are followed during this hunting season.
The season ends on October 24, 2012, and then opens again on December 22, 2012 and ends on January 6, 2013.
Hunters can pick up the Outdoor Annual (free of charge) anywhere hunting and fishing licenses are sold and online at tpwd.state.tx.us. The annual includes all Texas fishing and hunting regulations. Licenses for youth (under 17) are $7.00 and do not require endorsements. A basic adult hunting license is $25.00 and with the $7 migratory game bird endorsement (required for dove hunting), the license total is $32.00. Hunter education must be taken if you were born on or after September 2, 1971, once you turn 17. If you do not have it, a hunter education deferral may be purchased one time, and is good for one year. Anyone under the age of 17 who has not completed a hunter education course must be accompanied by a licensed hunter that is 17 years of age or older, and has, or is exempt from, hunter education. Children as young as 9 years of age can take hunter education.
Nolan County Game Warden Simmering would like to remind hunters of a number of specifics when out dove hunting this season.
Hunting hours are from one half hour before sunrise until sunset for migratory game birds. There is a bag limit of 15 birds per person, per day on Mourning or White Wing Dove (in the aggregate). Collared Dove do not count towards the bag limit, however, it is recommended to not clean collared dove while in the field for identification purposes. Hunters are required to use legal means and methods to hunt dove. For example, a shotgun cannot be capable of carrying more than three shells. Hunters are also not allowed to hunt over baited areas — no throwing out grain/seed to attract dove, or hunt next to a wildlife feeder that has dispersed corn for deer, hogs, turkey, etc… It is also illegal to hunt migratory game birds from a vehicle (some exceptions do apply). It is a hunter’s responsibility to know what licenses and equipment are required, as well as what the regulations are.
Texas Game Wardens strictly enforce all hunting laws and persons found in violation will be subject to a fine(s) and or arrest.
In an effort to prevent confusion and reduce any violations, Nolan County Game Warden Jake Simmering can be contacted at 325.669.0396 and is available to answer any questions you may have regarding rules and regulations of hunting season, as well as information regarding wildlife violations. It is recommended that if you witness a violation to call immediately.
If you have information, or if you witness anyone in violation of any fishing or hunting regulations, you are also encouraged to call Operation Game Thief (Wildlife Crime Stoppers) at 800.792.GAME-(4263). It is possible to receive a monetary reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction for a wildlife crime reported to Operation Game Thief.