"It's a great time to be a dove hunter in Texas," said Owen Fitzsimmons, TPWD's webless migratory game bird program leader. "Mourning dove numbers are up from previous years, and white-winged numbers have exploded, more than doubling over the past decade. Our white-winged population trend data indicates that they are continuing to increase in abundance and distribution and are now found almost everywhere in the state."

https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/other-s...xas-dove-season

I don't know where he's seeing all these Doves because it's sure not in this part of Texas. We had a poor hatch out this way (Breckenridge area). There are a few small pockets of birds but nothing like normal.

I noticed that last weekend as I drive through Breckenridge to Woodson to throckmorton...didn't see near as many dove as normal.

We are covered up with them.

Hadn't heard form you in a while Wal
Thanks for the report

Where are you located Wal? There's pockets of birds here (mostly around water), and if you're lucky enough to be in one the hunting will be fine. It's just when they're pressured and moved out there's not much to replace them. No rain and 110 degree temps is what hurt this area. I have 2 ponds that are dry that have never been dry. I received more rain this month than I did in March, April and May combined, which made for poor fields and very short to no Sunflowers. Dove weed is coming along pretty good with the rains this month though.

3 years ago was incredible
2 years ago was above average
Last year was average to above average at times
So I guess we were due a below average year.

Oh Owen...He will prolly hunt a high dollar, high fenced ranch with his deep pocket buddies over a semi baited field coming Saturday. Dove hunting is big business in Texas and Owen got a free hunt and some, writing that idiotic article.

I cant wait for his article in October: “Drought and plowed crops resulted in below average results, lets hope for some Northern birds”

I drive through Rosenberg everyday. There are and have been for years 1000s upon 1000s of dove crossing 59 at daylight. They roost in the city and go out to the milo patches to feed. When you find a group of 100, there are hundreds of groups just like that right behind them.

ND Hunter, its nice to be missed. I have been a tad busy. I wish I had a pic with all the lumber and crapola picked up. We are now 39 inches higher than the highest water ever on record. If it gets high enough to get us again, I am just driving away. This will be the first season in 6 years I really get to take a break and just go sit in the woods.

https://imagehosting.top/image/39BcA

https://imagehosting.top/image/39XW9

So far as duck boats, I found a nice eddy off of some current in a local river. Right on the side of the river is a big stand of willows that I can drive this right up under and tie off. The slow current will give a steady push against the boat, pushing it into the bank.

https://youtu.be/QDGXZ_oNJ1s

my old girl is 14 now

https://youtu.be/3vYb2pVATCI

Hauling arse

https://youtu.be/spdZEllQs_s

Man you have been busy

House looks real nice

I like the video of the pontoon from the shore.

I agree Stompy. Just got back from Haskell/ Stamford area and there wasn't much going on. Came back a day early.

This guy is clueless and lost all credibility with that statement. I hunt with a rancher that has property all over the Breckenridge/Woodson/Throckmorton area. He said its one of the worst years for the opening of dove hunting that he has seen in 50 years. Drought/failed crops/low reproduction.

It was pretty tough last year, seems worse this year.

Looks like yesterday's rain did move some birds in around here.

That area was in a major hole for rainfall so you can't relate that to the whole state. That being said, I wonder where they get their counts from.

The "increase in abundance and distribution and are now found almost everywhere in the state" was a stretch. When was the last time you saw white wings in East Texas much less shot one there?

Our dove hunt in Coke County this weekend was a bust. Very few birds flying. We need cooler weather up north to drive them down here. But we still had fun at our lease.

Talked to my GW yesterday, he said the way they come up with that has to do with last years numbers. If it was good last year it should be better this year sorta deal. He said the biologists have said this year was going to be below average..he said those guys go by studies and field reports more.