Thanks to ample and well-timed rainfalls through the spring and summer, Texas farmers are still baling hay in August. And the rain has another group of people smiling — dove hunters.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologists say hunters can anticipate good numbers of dove when opening day arrives Sept. 1. Timely rainfall usually equates to above average dove production, and by all field accounts, this year is shaping up to produce a boom crop of birds.

“Above-average rainfall across most of the state has created ideal habitat conditions for doves,” said Corey Mason, TPWD dove program leader. “I expect above-average production this year and hunt success should be high provided doves are not dispersed.”

Mason explained that the abundant seed production, predominately sunflower and croton will help recently fledged birds to rapidly put on weight. But quality range conditions will likely mean that birds won’t have to rely on managed fields for their daily bread. Hunters will have to scout areas for flight patterns like in the old days.

 “There may be more surface water available which could distribute birds more in afternoon hunts. Those who focus more on limited water sources in the past may not see as much shooting as during dry years,” Mason said.

Mason said although birds may not be as concentrated this year, the traditional hotspots should remain active. “Those birds go to the traditional hotspots for a reason, so I wouldn’t discount them,” he said.

Texas dove season in the North and Central Dove Zones will run from Wednesday, Sept. 1, through Sunday, Oct. 24, and reopen Saturday, Dec. 25, through Sunday, Jan. 9, with a 15-bird daily bag and not more than two white-tipped doves.

The South Zone dove season will run Friday, Sept. 17 through Sunday, Oct. 31, reopening Saturday, Dec. 25 through Tuesday, Jan. 18 with a 15-bird daily bag and not more than two white-tipped doves.

The possession limit is twice the daily bag.

The Special  White-winged Dove Area will open to white-winged dove afternoon-only (noon to sunset) hunting the first two full weekends in September, running from Sept. 4-5 and 11-12 and reopen when the regular South Zone season begins on Friday, Sept. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 31, and again from Saturday, Dec. 25, through Friday, Jan. 14.

The Special White-winged Dove Area season takes four of the allowable 70 days, so when the regular season opens, this area must close four days earlier than the rest of the South Zone. During the early two weekends, the daily bag limit is 15 birds, to include not more than four mourning doves and two white-tipped doves. Once the general season opens, the aggregate bag limit will be 15, with not more than two white-tipped dove.

Texas boasts fall dove populations in excess of 40 million birds and its 300,000 dove hunters harvest about 6 million birds annually or roughly 30 percent of all doves taken in the United States. Dove hunting also has a major economic impact, annually contributing more than $300 million to the state economy.

Dove hunting provides an entry into the sport of hunting because it is relatively economical and accessible. Through its Public Hunting Program, TPWD offers affordable access to quality hunting experiences with the purchase of a $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit.

This year, TPWD has leased nearly 50,000 acres of public dove hunting fields in 46 counties; more than 70 percent are located near major urban areas.

Hunters are reminded that in addition to a valid Texas hunting license, certification in the Harvest Information Program (HIP) is required. HIP certification is offered when you buy your license and involves responding to a few simple questions about your migratory game bird harvest during the previous season. Hunting licenses expire annually on Aug. 31 and licenses for the 2010-2011 year go on sale Aug. 15.

Stripers ‘big-time willing’

Lake Whitney striper guide Clay Yadon (817-219-3707) says Whitney’s stripers are “super aggressive and big-time willing” — and that has been translating to solid limits of fish, with the biggest of last week weighing 14 pounds.

“We’re catching them on live bait fished along channel edges,” Yadon said. Most trips have been wrapped up before the day’s heat set in.

TPWD Annual available

The 2010-2011 TPWD Outdoor Annual is available wherever fishing and hunting licenses are sold. The yearly publication is a collection of articles, regulations, and other information pertinent to the Texas outdoors.

Be sure to check out the magazine’s article on bass lures by yours truly.

www.centexoutdoors.com

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