Media Contact: Steve Lightfoot, 512-389-4701, steve.lightfoot@tpwd.state.tx.us
Feb. 19, 2013
TPWD Scoping Potential Special White-Winged Dove Area Regulations
AUSTIN – The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will be gathering input on possible dove hunting changes in conjunction with upcoming public hearings in San Antonio and Corpus Christi.
The department will be scoping the expansion of the Special White-winged Dove Area (SWWDA) and the associated reduction of mourning doves in the daily bag limit to two during this early four-day season.
The public hearings will begin at 7 p.m., to be followed by scoping sessions, and are set for:
•March 7 – Corpus Christi, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, NRC Rm. 1003, 6300 Ocean Dr.
•March 12 – San Antonio, Lions Field Community Center, 2809 Broadway
Last year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), which regulates hunting seasons on migratory game birds, including doves, approved an expansion of the current SWWDA boundary in South Texas. The boundary would be expanded east to Interstate Highway 37 (see map). This change would approximately double the size of the SWWDA.
“This regulation change would allow more hunter opportunity on an expanding and increasing population of white-winged doves in South Texas,” said Shaun Oldenburger, TPWD Dove Program Leader.
The USFWS has expressed concern about potential increased harvest of mourning dove in the SWWDA as a result of the proposed expansion. If Texas accepts the expansion, the USFWS is mandating a two bird daily bag limit reduction for mourning dove during the early season in the SWWDA.
Currently, the daily bag limit during the early season is 15 doves with no more than 4 mourning doves and 2 white-tipped doves. The regulation change would modify the daily bag limit to 15 doves with no more than 2 mourning doves and 2 white-tipped doves.
The public is reminded that a number of other fishing and hunting related issues will be covered at these meetings and not limited to this possible regulation change.
Additionally, public input on the dove zone scoping items can also be submitted electronically at
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/feedback/public_comment/scoping/ by email to Shaun Oldenburger at shaun.oldenburger@tpwd.state.tx.us, or in writing to Shaun Oldenburger, PO BOX 788, San Marcos, TX 78667.
Proposed Boundary Change for the Special White-Winged Dove Area
Publication — Permission is granted to publish, in whole or in part, any news releases on this page.
