I don't ever remember an event like the cold spell we had. I wonder how long it will take for the dove population to recover. One year, two years. I know a lot will depend on the future weather/nesting conditions, but it sure seems like they took a big hit over the winter.

I think they can rebound in one year, under the right conditions.

The reality is dove hunting in most of Texas has been very poor for about three years now everyone wants to talk about the cold spell but I think it’s a lot more than that. So what do we call recovered?

I agree....dismal for the past 3-5 yrs IMHO

Been selling dove hunts for 22 years here in Breckenridge. I've noticed over the years that it seems to come in waves. 2-3 off years then 2-3 good years. This would have been a good year had it not been for the freeze. There were a ton of doves here December, January, and during the freeze. Dove numbers seem to go in cycles, when we have several big high wind storms in late spring and early summer it destroys hatches due to high winds. Just a cycle, mother nature and timing. Birds will be back.

Recovered in my mind is; easily shoot a limit on opening day. Obviously you have to have food, water and roosting with weather that cooperates. I do think the lack of feed grains planted has affected the birds. That gets back to the long term effect.

Good way to describe it Stompy

Been hunting on a buddy's place since i was in school. There are still good days, but not really like it use to be. It seems like it has been on a slow downhill slide for the past 10+ years. I got no explanation for it, but in the beginning it didn't matter what the conditions were like opening day or late season you could go shoot a limit quick. Its nowhere near that now.

Farming practices are way different than they were years ago. Combines are more efficient, not near as much grain left on the field. Not many people plant for dove.