Dove season begins tomorrow (September 1), in what California Department of Fish and Wildlife officials call their busiest day of the year.
Those officials will be patrolling the state observing and checking on dove hunters ensuring game laws are followed, and enforcing those laws when necessary.
Mourning doves and white-winged doves are the primary targets Sept. 1 though spotted doves and ringed turtle doves also become legal game. The invasive and ubiquitous Eurasian collared-dove is open year-round with no bag limits.
Dove season runs through September 15, and kicks off bird-hunting season in California.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife offers numerous walk-in public dove hunting opportunities at its wildlife areas throughout the state
Visit CDFW’s Places to Visit webpage or Public Lands Viewer.
For more information and resources on dove hunting, CDFW’s Advanced Hunter Education Program and R3 Program have resources and videos available to accelerate the learning curve.
