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Dove hunting a Texas tradition
By Miles Dabovich CEA-AG Wichita County Recently, I attended my first District Ag Workers meeting in Byers and just wanted to mention that I met a great group of people who are involved in Agriculture and natural resources in our area. They represent businesses, media, farm and ranching, and government agencies that are all connected to agriculture and natural resources in some way. The informational program at the Byers meeting was conducted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. Each representative did an excellent job of updating us on the upcoming hunting and fishing seasons and pointed out new regulations and laws. The Texas 2007-2008 hunting and fishing licenses went on sale Aug. 15, and it made me realize that WOW dove season is just around the corner. With that I thought I would provide a little basic information about dove and a tidbit about rules and regulations. Our local game wardens and biologist are the real experts about this topic and you if have any questions about wildlife biology or hunting laws make sure you contact them for clarification. As Texans we are fortunate to enjoy wide range of wildlife resources thanks to the Texas Parks and Wildlife, were lucky to have them taking care those resources. Dove hunting is the traditional opening of the fall hunting season in Texas and is an important cultural event to hundreds of thousands of Texas hunters. Each year 300 to 400 thousand hunters head to a field in Texas in pursuit of dove. Dove season opens Sept. 1 in the north and central zones and Sept. 21 in the south zone. Dove hunting generates more hunting effort in the state than any other game species except deer. The accompanying dollars from dove hunting is important to rural landowners and communities. Dove Hunting accounts for one- third of the money spent annually by Texas hunters. Dove hunters account for 74 percent of the shot gun shells sold in the Unites states. Each year Texas migratory bird hunters spend about $400.00 each in pursuit of their game. Of the 10 species of doves and pigeons found in Texas the most common is the Mourning Dove followed by the White Winged dove. Although they are similar in some aspects, they differ in distribution, appearance and behavior. Mourning Doves occur over most of North America and breed in all 48 contiguous states as well as in southern Canada and have an estimated population of 400 million. These doves winter in the southern United States, Mexico and Central America. White Winged Doves range from southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Historically they nested in northern Mexico, the lower Rio Grande Valley and the Big Bend area. Today the White Winged Dove can be found throughout most of Texas and are often concentrated in urban areas. The White Wing population is estimated at 2.2 million. Although both species are social, White Winged Doves are more likely to be found in large flocks sometimes over 50 birds. Both Mourning and White Winged Doves are gray with white undersides and white on the tips of their tails. The two species have three obvious differences in appearance. --White Winged Doves have black wing tips and a distinctive white band across the top of the wings. --White Winged Doves are larger than Mourning Doves --In flight, the White Winged Dove's tail appears blunt, and the Mourning Dove's tail is long and tapered Both Species of dove can travel up to 7 miles a day for food and water but usually travel no more than 2 miles a day. Many white winged populations spend most of their day in urban refuges and make feeding flights to nearby crop fields in the mornings and evenings. Unlike Mourning doves White Winged doves typically do not frequent farm ponds for water. But instead use standing water sources around towns to meet their water requirements. Mourning oves prefer feeding areas featuring an abundance of hard coated seeds. Staples in the mourning dove diet include the seeds of weedy native plants such as sunflower, doveweed and pigweed. Seasonally important foods include the normal left over seeds of cultivated grain fields, especially wheat and milo. White Winged Doves feed on fruit and seed and are particularly fond of milo and oilseed sunflowers. White Winged dove also perch on trees shrubs and standing crops when feeding. Mourning Doves nest in isolated pairs and are very discriminating about nest location. Nest sites include various trees in rural environments to streetlamps in urban areas. White Winged Doves typically nest in colonies but can be found nesting in pairs. They usually choose native brush cultivated orchards or residential shade trees. Mourning Doves can nest throughout the year depending on the weather and can make two to five nesting attempts in a year. White Winged Doves typically nest in April and attempt two nests per year, completing their nesting by July or August. Both species are considered migratory birds, and the hunting of dove is governed by both state and federal laws. A major point to remember is that bating migratory birds or shooting them over bait is strictly prohibited. Hunters are responsible for knowing whether an area is baited or not. Another important thing to remember is a migratory bird stamp is required to hunt any migratory bird and no person shall hunt migratory birds in the state of Texas unless that person is certified in the Harvest Information Program. When you purchase a hunting license notify the clerk that you intend to hunt migratory game birds during the 2007-2008 season and need to be HIP certified by answering a few simple questions. For exact Texas Hunting rules and regulations refer to Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor annual booklet or contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Agency. Most importantly, remember to be safe and properly handle firearms when getting in and out of vehicles, traveling to hunting sites, crossing over fences and while in the field. With all the rain, 2007 could be an outstanding dove season. I wish everyone a great experience and when you have the opportunity share the experience with a young person. Date: 9/13/07
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