Opening day of dove season is Sept. 1 for Texas. Texas Parks of Wildlife said that over 300,000 Texas hunters harvest nearly one-third of the mourning doves taken each year.
There are an estimated 40 million dove this season.
“Despite the dry conditions this summer, we had excellent production very early in the spring thanks to a mild winter and good rains in February and March, so there are a lot of birds around,” Owen Fitzsimmons, TPWD Dove Program Leader said. “Unless we get significant rain in the next couple of weeks, hunters really need to key in on areas with water. That’s where the birds will be concentrated.”
2018-19 Dove Season Calendar
North Zone: Sept. 1 – Nov. 4 and Dec. 21-Jan. 14, 2019.
Central Zone: Sept. 1 – Nov. 4 and Dec. 21-Jan. 14, 2019.
Special White-winged Dove Days (entire South Zone): Sept. 1-2, 8-9.
South Zone: Sept. 14 – Oct. 30 and Dec. 14 – Jan. 21, 2019.
If you are looking for some recipes to enjoy this Texas favorite, here are some to try:
CHICKEN FRIED DOVE
You will need:
Dove
Milk
Flour
Garlic Powder
Salt
Pepper
Vegetable Oil
Most Texans let their game meat soak in milk to get the gamey taste out. Place your dove breasts in a bowl of milk in the fridge for at least two hours.
In another bowl, mix flour with garlic powder, salt and pepper (add as much as your taste buds allow).
In a skillet or fryer, add vegetable oil and let it get hot. You can test to see if the oil is ready by sprinkling a little flour in the oil and see if it bubbles.
Take the dove out of the fridge and dip it in the flour. Repeat this process until you get a good flour coating.
Fry until thoroughly cooked.
Serve!
BACON-WRAPPED DOVE
You will need:
Dove
Bacon
Toothpicks
Garlic Powder
Optional: BBQ Sauce
Let your dove breasts soak in milk for two hours to help diminish the gamey taste.
After they have soaked, pat them down with a paper towel. Wrap the dove breast in bacon and secure with a toothpick.
Sprinkle the breast with garlic powder before putting them on the grill.
Optional: After they are fully cooked, brush them with your favorite BBQ sauce.
Enjoy!
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