Hunting have much to look forward to this bird time, with substantial increases in both mourning and white-wing bird populations.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department ( TPWD ) Game Wardens offer some suggestions for a memorable but safe experience as hunters prepare to take their shot at the most widely used game bird in North America.
Have true searching licenses, stamps and permits: Hunters may acquire true hunting licenses for the 2024-25 before hitting the field. Hunting dove requires the certifications of the Migratory Game Bird Endorsement ( Stamp ) and Harvest Information Program ( HIP ) as well.
Hunting with an Annual Public Hunting Permit ( APH) entitles hunters to get more than one million hectares annually to kill various varieties in addition to the certificates and endorsements above. In addition to a shooting registration, this must be purchased.
Have Hunter Education Certification: Game rangers across the state say the number one problem they run into is the absence of hunter training, which is required for anyone born after Sept. 1, 1971. The Hunter Education Certification from TPWD is a lifelong commitment and is honored in all other state and counties. Texas also upholds Hunter Education documentation obtained in different states, but hunters may be able to provide proof when requested. Hunters may find more information on needs, exemptions or write a replacement cards at no cost online.
” I highly recommend anyone stepping out into the field to kill, whether they are free or no, get their Hunter Education Certification”, said Roel Cantu Jr., Hidalgo County game warden. Many of the health concerns and violations we encounter are topics covered in the course, which could have been avoided if the warrior had received that previous training.
Know your gun and use it carefully: Treating firearms like they are loaded is the safest tip. Keep your muzzle aware, steer clear of sudden targets, and keep your protection in tact until you’re ready to fire. Additionally, it’s crucial to ensure that your gun is loaded with the appropriate weapons. The bad tank size can cause accidents and injuries.
” Accidents can happen fast and can result in very terrible effects”, said Kevin Frazier, Frio County game governor. ” I’ve seen things as simple as not being aware your gun is loaded while packing the ATV or falling while walking through the area with a firearm with the security off end causing injury to others or the hunting themselves,” said one witness.
Hunting with a legitimate weapon is prohibited for the only purpose of hunting migrant game birds. It also must not become larger than 10-gauge, and if relevant, may become plugged. When purchasing a new gun, give focus to what is in the field, rangers caution. Producers sell firearms with plugs, but they might never be installed in the gun.
” Because our very mission statement is to preserve wildlife resources for present and future generations, many of our laws and regulations are based upon the’ good chase principle,'” said Drew Spencer, Lubbock County game warden. Shotguns cannot be able to fire more than three shells at once, including one inside the chamber, as one such example relates to dove hunting.
Know your target and what’s behind it: Keep your shots in your right direction so you do n’t fire at anyone else. Know how far your shot can travel and do n’t shoot toward people or homes. Fraiser advises wearing hunter orange clothing for high visibility when hunting in a group, though it is not required on private property.
” With many of our area’s properties being rural and unfenced, I occasionally see hunters being cautious when shooting over or across our numerous dirt county roads,” Spencer said. That is still a public safety issue and still constitutes public roadways. When it comes to shot angles and direction, we want to encourage mindfulness.
Do n’t trespass: Hunters are responsible for knowing property boundaries and making sure they have landowner consent. This includes bird retrieval and hunting on nearby properties. If pellets cross onto another property, that is considered trespass by projectile, which is a violation and potentially unsafe.
” If you are invited on a hunt or book one online, do your homework first”, said Frazier. When a hunt is booked online, hunters assume they have landowner’s consent to hunt a property, but it was a scam that neither the landowner nor the hunter were aware of. I suggest conducting some background checks to verify that everything is true.
Respect local and state laws, including daily bag and possession limits: Be aware of the daily bag and possession limits and the hunting zone you’re in. Additionally, hunters must keep their birds separate from those of other hunters. Without proper documentation, this will facilitate smoother and quicker interactions with wardens, which is required by law while on the ground.
Hunters in the South Zone should be aware of the dates associated with the Texas Outdoor Annual‘s special white-wing dove days. Additionally, hunters are responsible for knowing whether they’re hunting a baited area or not. Federal and state laws forbid hunting over baited fields.
” A fairly common violation we run into is hunters trying to ‘ double dip,'” said Cameron Ramsey, Coleman County game warden. ” Five birds per day equals fifteen birds per day.” Not 15 birds every time you leave the field. If you reach your limit in the morning, you ca n’t hunt again until the next day”.
Bring the kids: Keeping Texas ‘ hunting heritage alive is essential. Children and adults were advised to wear eye and hearing protection.
” I love to see people take their children hunting”, said Cody Buckaloo, Medina County game warden. We want future generations to become involved, and the best way to do that is by making that a safe and memorable experience for them and by setting an example through responsible hunting practices and strict safety standards.
Weather wise: Temperatures will likely remain elevated for the duration of the dove season. Being aware of temperatures, staying hydrated and taking proper precautions is vital. Tell someone and find a place to cool off if you feel dizzy or begin to show signs of heat exhaustion. You should also ensure that someone is aware of your hunting plans, such as where you will be and when you’ll finish, etc.
Do n’t forget about your four-legged friends. If you are going hunting with dogs, bring plenty of water with you and keep an eye on them for any signs of heat stress.
Leave the alcohol at camp: Alcohol and firearms do n’t mix. Alcohol consumption while hunting can result in careless choices and potential accidents. It’s best to avoid it.
At the end of the day, the best tip is to practice common courtesy.
Wardens enjoy interacting with hunters and going out in the field. A quick access to your license and other documents, leaving heads or fully feathered wings attached for bird identification, and unloading your shotgun before handing it over for inspection go a long way.
Calvin Atkinson, a Cameron County game warden, said,” I always appreciate it when everyone in the group stops hunting while I’m doing a compliance check.” If you continue hunting while a warden is checking your hunting partner’s information, it may make things difficult and even unsafe. When you stop putting your things together, the entire contact will go more quickly, allowing you to return to hunting and I can head home to the next field.
Many of the suggestions above concentrate on rules and issues that wardens frequently encounter in the field. All hunting regulations for this year’s hunting season can be found in the Texas Outdoor Annual mobile app or at OutdoorAnnual.com. Many of the issues above will likely be resolved by being aware of the specific regulations for the county you are hunting in and the species you are pursuing.
