The Texas dove season opened last Sunday in most regions of the state, and we — myself and some true bird professionals of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — opened our mouths and predicted an excellent hunt.
However, writer Shannon Tompkins of the Houston Chronicle was quick to remind us: "A mouth that opens to predict the future often closes around a big bite of crow."
If Tompkins' warning proves true, there will be a lot of biologists across Texas and at least one outdoors writer eating black birds this season.
Listed are a few tips that could assist in an enjoyable hunt and keep anxious hunters from running afoul of TPWD game wardens:
Shooting too early or too late
Legal shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset. Dove don't usually begin flying much earlier than the legal time for shooting, but they do fly after the official sunset. To determine legal shooting hours where you hunt, check out www.sunrisesunset.com/usa/texas.asp.
This means shooting a limit of dove in the morning and another limit in the evening. Hunters can hunt legally in the morning and afternoon but can't exceed the daily bag limit of 15 birds, which can include mourning dove or white-winged dove in the aggregate.
This year's possession limit has been raised to 45 birds after the first three days of the season.
Hunters must keep birds separate
Birds shot by one hunter can't be placed with those killed by other hunters. This violation is called "co-mingling" and simply means a game warden cannot look into an ice chest where several bags of birds are deposited and tell which hunter has shot which birds.
Whether birds are cleaned or not, keep each hunter's daily bag limit segregated in plastic storage bags with the hunters name and date on the bag.
Autoloaders Must be plugged
For all migratory birds, shotguns must be plugged to a three-shell capacity. Some shotguns that accept 3 ½ inch shells may handle more than three shells that are 2 ¼. One can be certain that a game warden will check auto loaders in the field.
No tailgate shooting
It's unlawful to shoot from the tailgate of a pickup. This is a federal law that was adopted by the TPWD. It also states that shooting from the inside or out of a moving vehicle is illegal. It's important to pass this law along, as sitting on the tailgate of a truck parked in the shade while dove hunting is a tradition of many West Texas hunters. It's now a no-no.
Eurasian collared dove occur in sporadic numbers across Texas. They have been especially prolific in Tom Green and surrounding counties.
They are considered an exotic species and are not covered by state or federal regulations. There is no bag or season restrictions for Eurasian dove.
They are twice the size of mourning dove and are even larger than white-winged dove.
While Texas law now permits hunters to clean dove in the field, it's a good idea to keep Eurasian dove intact, in case you are checked by a game warden.
Most hunters retain only dove's breast for eating. A warden cannot reliably tell the difference between the cleaned breast of a collared dove, a whitewing or a mourning dove.
To avoid a potential legal hassle, keep Eurasian birds intact until reaching your residence.
Be certain that your license is current. All hunters 17 or older must have a 2013-14 license. Make certain your license states that you're HIP-certified, meaning you've answered the harvest information questions required of all migratory bird hunters.
Use camouflage clothing
Dress yourself in less conspicuous clothing. Wear long-sleeved tops and camo or dark colored pants. A drab cap will hide your face from overhead birds and shield your skin from the sun.
Purchase repellent that protects against mosquitoes. Most hunters prefer high concentrations of DEET in their spray. Clothing can be treated with tick and chigger repellents.
Care for the skin
Sunscreen is a must. September is usually hot and sunny.
An ice chest will keep water cold and dead birds cool. Plastic baggies are needed to keep birds dry when in a cooler. Water bottles can be carried in a hunting vest to keep you hydrated.
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