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AUSTIN — A rainy spring and early summer led to a good nesting season through most of the state and near record high populations of mourning and white-wing doves across large portions of Texas. Hunters could encounter significantly increased dove populations in the field when the 2024 season opens Sept. 1.
Spring population surveys conducted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff found an estimated 34.3 million mourning doves in Texas, the third highest estimated population in survey history. White-winged dove populations have increased four percent, becoming the new record high with an estimated 12.8 million this year.
“Given the conditions and the number of birds, as long as the weather holds this month, hunters should expect a very good early season throughout most of the state,” said Owen Fitzsimmons, TPWD Webless Migratory Game Bird Program Leader. “Summer rains should also result in a good late crop of native forbs (weeds and flowering plants) seeding out just in time for some late season hunting for anyone still chasing doves after September.”
