Dove season proposals could mean more days, birds in the bag
Texas dove hunters could wind up getting more bang for their buck next fall and winter thanks to a couple of proposed regulation changes recently announced by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Department biologists are looking to extend the season in the North Zone by 10 days and to increase the statewide bag limit to 15 birds daily under a Adaptive Harvest Model (AHM) utilized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Doves are migratory birds, so season dates and bag limits are set using frameworks established by the federal agency. Frameworks are based primarily on population data, trend data and annual harvest.
The framework proposed for Texas, which is part of the Central Dove Management Unit, is considered moderate under the AHM. Other model options include a liberal 22-bird limit and a restrictive 8-bird limit.
The increased bag limit from 12 birds to 15 would mean a 25 percent increase in the number doves Texas dove hunters can shoot each day in the Central and South Zones. Season length in those Zones will remain unchanged at 70 days.
North Zone hunters have enjoyed a 15-bird limit and 60-day season for several years. The proposed 10-day extension in that zone would create a split season, the second part occurring after Christmas.
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The 2009-10 dove season dates under consideration are as follows:
* North and Central Zones: Sept. 1 - Oct. 25 and Dec. 26 - Jan. 9.
* South Zone: Sept. 18 - Nov. 3 and Dec. 26 - Jan. 17.
* Special South Texas Whitewing Area: Sept. 5-6 and 12-13 and Dec. 26 - Jan. 13, (noon to sunset).
* No changes are in store for other early migratory game bird seasons. Early teal season will run Sept. 12-27, based a 16-day framework; Sept. 19-27 with a nine-day season.
Proposed seasons for rail and gallinule, Sept. 12-27 and Oct. 31-Dec; snipe, Oct. 31 - Feb. 14; woodcock, Dec. 18-Jan. 31.
Public comments are encouraged by the TPWD. E-mail cory.mason@tpwd.state.tx.us or visit the TPWD Web site and navigate to the "Public Comment" section.
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