Dove hunting question / help

[mikebyrge]

I’ve been invited to a dove shoot the weekend of September, 16th (south zone east of Houston) and I am a little concerned about identifying doves in flight and shooting a bird I’m not supposed to.

I have shot, and shot at, thousands of dove over the years but only in areas with mourning dove. Any tips or things to look for before you pull the trigger?

thanks in advance guys.

Mike

[Greenheadless]

To me the easiest it the tail feathers.

Mourning dove have a pointed tail. Whitewings have a square shaped tail.

[SmTx]

What type of bird are you concerned about accidentally shooting? South zone will be open and it's open season on mourning and WWs.

[Stuck]

Hope this helps.

[mikebyrge]

What type of bird are you concerned about accidentally shooting? South zone will be open and it's open season on mourning and WWs.

Well that makes it easier….I read the regs and I thought that may be the case but wasn’t sure. My concern was white wing vs. mourning dove.

I’ve been around guys that know dove and can ID almost immediately. I’ve not seen enough WW to know for sure.

thank you.

[SaltwaterSlick]

Once regular season opens, if I’m hunting where there both, I try to pick out WW’s and pass the mourning doves. WW’s are larger and fly more uniformly and straighter than mourning and their tail is squared off. 15 WW’s is a bigger pile of meat than mourning doves and they’re easier to clean.

[Nate Riley]

If you are hunting east of Houston, the doves will be mourning doves. You might see some Eurasion collared doves. So, just don't shoot a mockingbird! LOL

Are you hunting around Anahuac or Winnie?

[txtimetravler]

WW fly in larger groups than mourning dove.
Mourning dove typically are singles or doubles in my area.
WW typically fly higher, more gray, bigger and you can see the white in their wings.

good luck!

[mikebyrge]

Are you hunting around Anahuac or Winnie?

I think it is close to Winnie. It is a friend-of-friend deal and he said “it’s about an hour from Kingwood”

[hoythunter02]

Well that makes it easier….I read the regs and I thought that may be the case but wasn’t sure. My concern was white wing vs. mourning dove.

I’ve been around guys that know dove and can ID almost immediately. I’ve not seen enough WW to know for sure.

thank you.

You can shoot both species during the time frame you mentioned. I’ll be in Dilley doing the same, good luck!

[Walker]

Also, there is no limit on collared Eurasian doves.