As publishedNorth Zone: Sep 1-Nov 8, 2026 & Dec 18, 2026-Jan 7, 2027; Central Zone: Sep 1-Oct 25, 2026 & Dec 11, 2026-Jan 14, 2027; South Zone: Sep 1-Oct 25, 2026 & Dec 18, 2026-Jan 21, 2027
Bag/possession limit is a single aggregate shared with white-winged dove and white-tipped dove (15 daily / 45 possession combined, with a sub-cap of 2 daily / 6 possession specifically on white-tipped dove). New this year: South Zone regular season start moved earlier to Sep 1, 2026, and the separate early-September 'Special White-winged Dove Days' sub-season has been eliminated for 2026-27 (no longer a distinct opener). Shooting hours 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. HIP certification required.
TPWD's own Spring Dove Population Survey (distance sampling, rural + urban routes statewide) is the governing source, historically published alongside the ~Aug 21 dove-season press release. The 2025 edition (35.9M mourning doves statewide, +5% year over year) is the latest found; no 2026 edition confirmed as of 2026-08-19, expected within days per the typical late-August window.