TITLE 31. NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION
PART 2. TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT
CHAPTER 65. WILDLIFE
SUBCHAPTER
N.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (commission) in a duly noticed meeting on March 26, 2026, adopted amendments to 31 TAC §§65.314 - 65.320, concerning the Migratory Game Bird Proclamation. The amendment to §65.314, concerning Doves, is adopted with changes to the proposed text as published in the February 20, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 1023) and will be republished. Sections 65.315 - 65.320 are adopted without changes and will not be republished.
The change to §65.314 alters the dates for the second segment of the dove season in the South Zone. The department proposed the second segment of the dove season in the South Zone to run from November 25 - December 29, 2026, to allow for hunting opportunities around Thanksgiving weekend. After deliberation, the commission adopted a season to run from December 18, 2026 - January 21, 2027. The department has determined that the change will maintain consistency with previous years' hunting seasons and not result in depletion or waste of the resource.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) issues annual frameworks for the hunting of migratory game birds in the United States. Regulations adopted by individual states may be more restrictive than the federal frameworks but may not be less restrictive. Responsibility for establishing seasons, bag limits, means, methods, and devices for harvesting migratory game birds within Service frameworks is delegated to the commission under Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 64, Subchapter C.
With exceptions as noted, the amendments specify the season dates for hunting the various species of migratory game birds for the 2026-2027 seasons, along with minor formatting changes to improve the efficiency and clarity of the regulations. The rules (except as noted in the discussion of the elimination of the Special White-winged Dove Area (SWWDA) season and expanded season dates for the South Zone) retain the season structure and bag limits for all species of migratory game birds from last year while adjusting the season dates to allow for calendar shift (i.e., to ensure that seasons open on the desired day of the week), since dates from a previous year do not fall on the same days in following years.
The amendment to §65.314, concerning Doves (Mourning, White-Winged, White-Tipped, White-Fronted Doves), eliminates the Special White-winged Dove Days and the SWWDA distinction from the South Zone and opens the regular season of the South Zone on September 1. Under the federal frameworks, Texas is allowed 90 total days of dove hunting opportunity in the South Zone. Historically, the federal frameworks did not allow full-day dove hunting in the South Dove Zone before September 14, but Texas was authorized to have up to six half-days of hunting opportunity between September 1 and September 19. The department reexamined the available biological information on mourning doves, including population abundance, hatch dates, harvest rates, and current harvest strategies. Based on this reexamination, the department proposed to the Service to allow the regular dove hunting season to begin on September 1st and eliminate federal restrictions on opening season dates in the frameworks for this hunting season since no biological impact is expected to occur, based on the best available information. The Service has approved these changes to the federal frameworks on a three-year experimental basis. As a result, this change will eliminate the special white-winged dove provisions and allow for an earlier regular season in the South Zone.
The amendment to §65.316, concerning Geese, alters section (b)(2)(B) to combine the season dates and bag limits for Dark Geese in the Eastern Zone into one subsection to maintain consistency within the section.
The amendment to §65.317, concerning Special Youth, Active-Duty Military, and Military Veteran Seasons, alters subsection (b) to separate the seasons for moorhens and gallinules from waterfowl seasons to preserve parallelism.
The department received 389 comments opposing adoption of the portion of the proposed amendment to §65.314, concerning Doves, that would have moved the starting date for the second segment of the South Zone dove hunting season from mid-December to the day prior to Thanksgiving. The commenters expressed a variety of rationales for opposition; however, the commission in any event ultimately concluded that maintaining consistency with previous years' hunting seasons was more important than other considerations, given the scope of opposition.
The department received 486 comments supporting adoption of the proposed amendment.
The department received 149 comments opposing adoption of the portion of the proposed amendment to §65.314, concerning Doves, that changes the South Zone dove hunting season structure during the first segment to include an earlier regular season opening date, eliminate the special white-winged dove days, and institute standardized daily bag limits across all days in the South Zone. Of the 149 comments, 75 provided a reason or rationale for opposing adoption. Those comments, accompanied by the department's response to each, follow.
Thirteen commenters opposed adoption and stated that starting the season earlier in September is not a good idea because early September is too hot. The department disagrees with the comments and responds that hot weather does not preclude hunting activity, dove season has historically opened on September 1 across most of the state, and there is no biological reason not to open the season on the earliest day possible under the federal frameworks. No changes were made as a result of the comments.
Nine commenters opposed adoption and stated a preference for an opening date later in September because the birds are more numerous later in the season. The department disagrees with the comments and responds that the earlier opening date in the South Zone will allow hunting opportunity while dove populations are at their largest, maximize hunting opportunity, and comport with hunter and landowner preference. No changes were made as a result of the comments.
Eleven commenters opposed adoption and stated that many hunters could miss out on opening day since September 1 could fall on a weekday. A few of the commenters suggested that opening day should be the first weekend in September instead. The department disagrees with the comments and responds that hunter opinion surveys conducted by the department indicate the majority of hunters prefer the earliest opening date possible. No changes were made as a result of the comments.
Eleven commenters opposed adoption and stated that opening dove season on September 1 will harm the population because the birds are still nesting. The department disagrees with the comments and responds that the adopted opening date will have no biological impact on the dove population, based on a contemporary review of best available biological information. No changes were made as a result of the comments.
Eleven commenters opposed adoption and stated opening the South Zone on the same day as the Central Zone removes the possibility of taking advantage of the historical opportunity to go hunting on two different opening dates. Some of the commenters stated that a major impact on outfitters could occur. The department disagrees with the comments and responds that hunter opinion surveys conducted by the department indicate that the majority of hunters prefer the earliest opening date possible and commission policy historically is to structure season dates to maximize hunting opportunity for the greatest number of hunters. No changes were made as a result of the comments.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated that people cannot always hunt the first day of September so mid-September is a better opening time for the season. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that hunter opinion surveys conducted by the department indicate the majority of hunters prefer the earliest opening date possible. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated that the season should stay the same to prevent overharvest. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that there will be no biological impact to dove population as a result of the rule as adopted. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated the department should keep Special White-winged Dove Season and end the regular dove season on the last day of October. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that opening the regular season on September 1 and eliminating the Special White-winged Dove Season reduces regulatory complexity and provides additional hunter opportunity by allowing all-day hunting and higher daily bag limits, compared to previous years. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated uncertainty as to the purpose of the proposed rule. The department neither agrees nor disagrees with the comment and responds that the purpose of the rule is to provide additional hunting opportunity in the South Zone in early September and reduce regulatory complexity. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
Three commenters opposed adoption and stated traditionally Special White-winged Dove Days in the South Zone were akin to family holidays. The department neither agrees nor disagrees with the comments and responds that opening days and hunting opportunities are still offered by the department, which does not prevent the continuation of family traditions. No changes were made as a result of the comments.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated, "don't break what is NOT broken." The department neither agrees nor disagrees with the comment and responds that the department continually assesses ways to provide the best possible hunting opportunities for all hunters while ensuring the sustainability of the resource. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
Two commenters opposed adoption and stated that the department should keep the season the same as previous years. The department disagrees with the comments and responds that the season as adopted reduces regulatory complexity and provides increased hunter opportunity. No changes were made as a result of the comments.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated that moving the dates gives an advantage to commercial hunting operations. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that the rule as adopted benefits all hunters equally by providing additional hunting opportunity in early September when dove abundance and hunter participation are typically the highest. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated that moving the opening day to September 1 will hurt landowner ability to offset hunting pressure on quail. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that the season as adopted will relieve pressure on quail because it will defer hunting pressure until December and January. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated that the department should expand the season but not shorten the winter segment. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that the season as adopted utilizes all days of hunting opportunity available under the federal frameworks. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated shooting hours should be from noon to sunset. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that the intent of the rule as adopted is to eliminate the current structure that includes half-day hunting, which is desirable from both the perspective of increased hunter opportunity and of the elimination of problematic enforcement and compliance scenarios. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated the white-winged dove population is threatened in Hidalgo and Starr counties. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that there is no evidence that the white-winged dove population is threatened anywhere in Texas. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated that there were not enough white-winged doves where they hunt. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that department surveys indicate that white-winged doves are abundant across the South Zone. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated, "I do not believe that starting South Zone the same time as the other zones has a significant effect on the dove population. Therefor making it a moot point and no change necessary to the start date." The department disagrees with the comment and responds that the change is not intended to have any effect on dove populations, but rather to provide additional hunting opportunities in the South Zone while reducing regulatory complexity. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated that the department should return to a 10-bird daily limit until the impact of this change is better understood. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that this change is not expected to have any negative biological effect on dove populations. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated the department should keep Special White-winged Dove Days. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that the change will provide additional hunting opportunities while not resulting in depletion or waste of the resource. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated uncertainty about the impacts of "how combining will affect overall harvest in South Zone." The department neither agrees nor disagrees with the comment and responds that the change will provide additional hunting opportunities while not resulting in depletion or waste of the resource. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
The department received 732 comments supporting adoption of the proposed amendment to §65.314, concerning Doves.
The department received 104 comments opposing adoption of the proposed amendment to §65.315, concerning Ducks, Coots, Mergansers, and Teal. Of the 104 comments, 10 provided a reason or rationale for opposing adoption. Those comments, accompanied by the department's response to each, follow.
Seven commenters opposed adoption and stated that early teal season should be moved up because September 19 is too late. The department disagrees with the comments and responds that the peak migration period for blue-winged teal in Texas as a whole generally occurs in late September and long-term monitoring data indicates this peak is, on average, occurring progressively later each year. No changes were made as a result of the comments.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated that the entire duck season should be moved one month later because huntable numbers are not present until after the season ends. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that under federal frameworks, duck seasons in Texas cannot extend beyond the last day of January. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and recommended approaching the Service to extend duck season through February because ducks are not present in Texas for most of November. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that federal frameworks are developed through a multi-state and international flyway process based on the best available population, nesting, and migration data, which at the current time do not support alteration of the frameworks for Texas. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated that tree ducks should be included in teal season in some fashion because they are usually gone by November. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that the federal frameworks authorize a September season restricted to teal ducks only. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
The department received 384 comments supporting adoption of the rule as proposed.
The department received 104 comments opposing adoption of the proposed amendment to §65.316, concerning Geese. One commenter provided a reason or rationale for opposing adoption. The commenter stated that the Western Zone should have an additional two weeks for the harvest of white geese, which are abundant after the current season is closed. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that the season as adopted runs until the last day of hunting opportunity possible under the federal frameworks. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
The department received 384 comments supporting adoption of the rule as proposed.
The department received 104 comments opposing adoption of the proposed amendment to §65.317, regarding Special Youth, Active-Duty Military, and Military Veteran Seasons. No commenter provided a reason or rationale for opposing adoption.
The department received 384 comments supporting adoption of the proposed rule.
The department received 104 comments opposing adoption of the proposed amendment to §65.318, regarding Sandhill Crane. Three of the commenters provided a reason or rationale for opposing adoption. Those comments, accompanied by the department's response to each, follow.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated the department should issue tags instead of having a season, which would allow hunters more latitude to harvest opportunistically. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that hunting opportunity for sandhill cranes in Texas must take place during the time periods authorized under the federal frameworks. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated that the season in Zone C should start two weeks later because cranes do not arrive in huntable numbers until late December. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that Zone C is structured to open during a period that generally represents the height of migration, which can vary annually. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
One commenter opposed adoption and stated that Zone A and Zone B should have concurrent season dates. The department disagrees with the comment and responds that under the federal frameworks, the season in Zone B must be opened later to minimize the potential for interference with migrating whooping cranes, which are an endangered species. No changes were made as a result of the comment.
The department received 384 comments supporting adoption of the proposed rule.
The department received 104 comments opposing adoption of the proposed amendment to §65.319, regarding Gallinules, Rails, Snipe, Woodcock. No commenter provided a reason or rationale for opposing adoption.
The department received 384 comments supporting adoption of the proposed rule.
The department received 104 comment opposing adoption of the proposed amendment to §65.320, concerning Extended Falconry Seasons. No commenter provided a reason or rationale for opposing adoption.
The department received 384 comments supporting adoption of the proposed rule.
The amendments are adopted under the authority of Parks and Wildlife Code, Chapter 64, which authorizes the commission and the executive director to provide the open season and means, methods, and devices for the hunting and possessing of migratory game birds.
§65.314.
(a) Zones. (Mourning, White-Winged, White-Tipped, White-Fronted Doves).
(1) North Zone: That portion of the state north of a line beginning at the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; thence north along FM 1088 to State Highway 20; thence west along State Highway 20 to State Highway 148; thence north along State Highway 148 to Interstate Highway 10 at Fort Hancock; thence east along Interstate Highway 10 to Interstate Highway 20; thence northeast along Interstate Highway 20 to Interstate Highway 30 at Fort Worth; thence northeast along Interstate Highway 30 to the Texas-Arkansas state line.
(2) Central Zone: That portion of the state between the North Zone and the South Zone.
(3) South Zone: That portion of the state south of a line beginning at the International Toll Bridge in Del Rio; thence northeast along U.S. Highway 277 Spur to U.S. Highway 90 in Del Rio; thence east along U.S. Highway 90 to State Loop 1604; thence following Loop 1604 south and east to Interstate Highway 10; thence east along Interstate Highway 10 to the Texas-Louisiana State Line.
(b) Seasons.
(1) North Zone: September 1 - November 8, 2026 and December 18, 2026 - January 7, 2027.
(2) Central Zone: September 1 - October 25, 2026 and December 11, 2026 - January 14, 2027.
(3) South Zone: September 1 - October 25, 2026 and December 18, 2026 - January 21, 2027.
(c) Daily bag limit for all zones: 15 mourning doves, white-winged doves, and white-tipped (white-fronted) doves in the aggregate, including no more than two white-tipped (white-fronted) doves per day.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 28, 2026.
TRD-202603202
James Murphy
General Counsel
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Effective date: August 17, 2026
Proposal publication date: February 20, 2026
For further information, please call: (512) 389-4775