Dove, Dogs, and Shotguns

In a news release from Steve Lightfoot with Texas Parks and Wildlife, he announced the the department would conduct 21 public hearings. The hearing would cover the topics of increasing fees and yhe new dove season propsals.

Changes proposed for the 2009-10 Texas dove season include a 70 day season and 15 bird daily bag statewide, pending adoption of federal guidelines. Additionally, the department is advancing a proposal to move the South Zone opening to the Friday nearest Sept. 20, but no earlier than Sept. 17, which means it will open on Sept. 18 this year if approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in late June.

The proposed dove season in the North and Central Dove Zones would run Sept. 1-Oct. 25 and reopen Dec. 26-Jan. 9, with a 15-bird bag and not more than two white-tipped doves.

Also during the public comment period, TPWD will be scoping calendar options for the additional 10 days of hunting in the North Zone for the 2010-11 season.

The proposed South Zone dove season would run Sept. 18-Nov. 3, reopening Dec. 26-Jan. 17 with a 15 bird bag and not more than two white-tipped doves. Possession limit is twice the daily bag for all migratory game birds except light geese which currently does not have a possession limit.

The Special South Texas Whitewing Area would open to white-winged dove afternoon-only (noon to sunset) hunting Sept. 5-6 and 12-13 and reopen Sept. 18-Nov. 3 and again from Dec. 26-Jan. 13. The daily bag limit is 12 birds, not more than four mourning doves during the first two weekend splits and two white-tipped doves. Once the general season opens the aggregate bag limit will be 15.

The Service is also reviewing a proposal to give TPWD the option to adjust a portion of the boundary of the special whitewing area. This potential change would remove portions of Jim Hogg and Starr counties. These areas are not as high a quality white-winged dove habitat as other portions of the area. If removed, these portions would fall under the South Zone dates and bag. TPWD plans to hold a public hearing prior to the May 27 commission meeting to evaluate public support of this proposal.

TPWD is proposing no changes to other early migratory game bird seasons other than to reflect calendar shifts

Here are the dates and locations for the hearings:

All meetings are set for 7 p.m.

 

April 27

 

• Lubbock, Lubbock County Courthouse, Commissioners Courtroom, 904 Broadway.

April 28

• Corpus Christi, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Natural Resource Bldg., Room 1003, 6300 Ocean Dr.

April 29

• Waco, McLennan County Courthouse, 1st Floor Commissioners Courtroom, 501 Washington St.
• Laredo, Camp Huisache, E. Hwy. 59.

April 30

• El Paso, State Bldg., Room 179, 401 E. Franklin.

May 1

• Houston, Eddie Gray Wetlands Center, 1724 Market St., Baytown.
• Kerrville, Upper Guadalupe River Authority Lecture Hall, 125 Lehman Dr.

May 4

• Midland, Martin Luther King Community Center, 2300 Butternut Ln.
• Bay City, Bay City Service Center, 2105 Avenue M.

May 5

• Ozona, Crockett County Courthouse, 909 Avenue D.

May 6

• Tyler, Smith County Courthouse, Central Jury Room, 100 N. Broadway.
• Brownsville, Cameron County Courthouse, 3rd Floor, 974 E. Harrison.

May 7

• Abilene, Abilene/Taylor County Law Enforcement Center, 450 Pecan St.

May 8

• Dallas, Bass Pro Shop, (downstairs conference room) 5001 Bass Pro Drive.

May 11

• Amarillo, Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 6500 Amarillo Blvd. W.
• Beaumont, Annex 1 Bldg., Ste. 200, 1225 Pearl.

May 12

• Wichita Falls, Times Record News Special Meeting Room, 1301 Lamar St.

May 13

• Lufkin, Angelina County Courthouse, District Courtroom, 215 E. Lufkin Ave.
• Hebbronville, Jim Hogg County Courthouse, District Courtroom, 2nd Floor, 102 E. Tilley.

May 14

• Alpine, Sul Ross University, Range Animal Science Bldg., Room 130, Hwy. 90 E.

May 15

• San Antonio, National Shooting Complex Clubhouse, 5931 Roft Rd.

I’m in favor of the proposed changes and I hope everyone that is will show up to the hearing closest to them.

Click here for the full news release from TPWD.

Are you in favor of the changes of the new proposals for dove season? Leave your comments.

Time to RELOAD!

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