South Texas dove hunters get 20 more days this year, although the season starts later because of a longer nesting season. The 2016 season begins Sept. 23.
New regulations for 2016 grant dove hunters their longest season in 80 years, while deer hunters will be given a broader definition of what they can kill. Issued by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the new regulations increase duck hunting season 20 days to a total of 90 days. New definitions for “spike” bucks also give deer hunter more game to shoot at. The regulations take effect Sept. 1.
While TPWD will enforce the dove hunting regulations, they were imposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service based on the length of the South Zone nesting season. It lasts longer in this part of the state than elsewhere, so the season will be delayed.
Dove season in South Texas begins Sep. 23 and ends Nov. 13. North and Central Zones can begin hunting on Sept. 1. The second half of dove season begins Dec. 17 for the entire state and closes Jan. 23 for South Texas.
No changes in the daily bag limit, which stays at 15 birds.
Increased deer densities allow for a wider range of what hunters can shoot this year. Areas that before did not allow hunting of anterless deer are now allowing four doe days for the 2916-2017 season. Doe days are increasing to 16, and the muzzleloader-only deer season gets an extra 14 days. Another 14 counties that did not allow white-tail deer hunting will now have archery-only and general season.
The biggest change is in the definition of a spike deer. Last season, a spike needed two unbranched angles showing. With the new rules, any buck with at least one unbranched antler is now considered legal game.
