Dove hunting means different things to different people.

For many hunters, dove season — which opens today and runs through Oct. 24 in Texas’ Central Zone — is purely a social event that gets friends together to blast away at some hard-to-hit targets and enjoy a tasty dove cookout afterwards.

But successful dove hunting doesn’t come easy. In order to load the grill, you’ve got to be in the right place at the right time. Like any other creature, doves need food, water and a place to sleep. Knowing where these birds are conducting their business is the key to success.

Dr. Ronald Manicom of Austin retrieves a mourning dove during the state wildlife department's dove research collection.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo

Doves typically feed on corn, maize and croton – commonly known as dove weed. Recently plowed fields offer good opportunities, especially those near creeks or stock tanks. Look for power lines and gaps in tree lines as probable flyways. Doves often fly from power lines into fields to feed on leftover kernels.

Central Texas is in the transition zone between the Hill Country, Blackland Prairie and Post Oak Savannah geographic regions, meaning that hunters can hunt a number of different environments within a couple hours’ drive from Waco.

North Texas wildlife biologist Kevin Mote said well-timed summer rains have created excellent conditions for dove and other wildlife this fall.

“If you’re a dove hunter, you have probably noticed the healthy stands of sunflower and croton,” he said. “A hot and dry August usually drives birds to favorite watering holes, so hunters may have a choice this year of hunting water or feed patches.”

And while the central portion of our area has been relatively dry, eastern and western counties have experienced seasonal rainfall that will change the way doves behave when hunters go afield. If there’s been enough rain to leave puddles in roadways and fields, then birds won’t have to fly far from their food source to get water.

If you’re hunting a dry area, situating yourself between field and stream will likely pay off in full game bags.

Biologist David Sierra, whose jurisdiction is in Central Texas east of Interstate 35, reminds hunters that dove season includes both hot and cold weather.

“Early on, the best hunts will likely be where food, water and cover are located in close proximity,” he said. “A little preseason scouting will provide the best chances for good dove hunting opportunities.”

Sierra adds that the stronger the cold fronts pushing through the northern states, the more doves we’ll find migrating southward into Texas later in the season.

Whatever the conditions, however, remember that doves are equipped with keen eyesight and they can not only detect color, but also movement on the ground. Making an effort at concealing yourself can give you the extra second or two that could make the difference between hitting your target and wasting shells. Camouflage clothing and hunting from shadows are two good ways to surprise these acrobatic birds.

TPWD spokesman Steve Lightfoot said by all accounts, this year is shaping up to produce a boom crop of birds.

“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,” he said.

If you’ve got the urge and equipment, but lack a place to hunt, TPWD has a solution. Along with your license, you can purchase a public hunting permit that opens up thousands of acres of Central Texas land to you. Visit the Centex Outdoors Web site for more information on public hunting opportunities.

Shotgun is best bet

Shotguns are the weapons of choice for dove hunting, with most hunters opting for 20-, 16- or 12-gauge guns. The best bet for doves is shooting shells with smaller pellets, and those range from 7  1/2 to 9. The gauges and shot sizes are listed on shell boxes. Texas law requires that shotguns are plugged to a three-shell capacity.

Other gear that hunters will need includes a game vest, shell bag, earplugs, hunting seat and a cooler for field-dressing birds and storing them properly. Check your local sporting goods store for help selecting your hunting gear.

The limit on dove in the North and Central zones is 15 mourning, white-winged and white-tipped doves – not to include more than two white-tipped.

Game wardens advise that if you field-dress doves, leave a wing attached in case a warden checks your birds.

As with all meats, dove should be handled properly. Leaving birds in a game bag for hours doesn’t do anything to improve their taste.

To avoid having spoiled meat, hunters can pluck and remove the breasts during lulls in the action and store them in an insulated cold pack for better flavor and healthier eating.

www.centexoutdoors.com 717-8907

Favorite recipes

There are many ways to prepare dove. Below are a couple of my favorite recipes.

(You should always wash meat thoroughly and remove any shot before cooking. Use a toothpick to check wounds for pellets.)

Outdoor cooking:

De-bone dove breast and place sliced jalapenos between the breast halves. Wrap the breast with a strip of bacon and grill until the bacon is well-done.

Indoor cooking:

Preheat oven to 350. Dredge dove breast in flour seasoned with salt and pepper. Saute in a cast iron skilled with butter (2 tablespoons of butter per breast) for 15 minutes, then place birds into a casserole dish. Add wine to the butter and heat thoroughly. Pour the liquid over the dove and bake loosely covered for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake another 10-15 minutes.