NEWS RELEASE
Sept. 9, 2024
PHOENIX — Arizona’s dove hunters still have time to get out in the field before the 15-day season ends at legal sunset Sunday, Sept. 15.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds hunters to review the “2024-2025 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations” brochure, which is posted at www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Regulations/. The regulations have been produced in a format that hunters will find particularly handy in the field. The color brochure is easy to read and features important hunting information, such as season dates, daily bag and possession limits, and legal requirements, at a glance.
NOTE: New this year, for both the “early” (Sept. 1-15) and “late” (Nov. 15-Dec. 29) seasons, the daily bag limit is 15 total mourning and white-winged doves, of which no more than 10 may be white-winged. The possession limit is 45 mourning and white-winged in the aggregate after opening day, of which no more than 15 may be taken in any one day. Of the 45-dove possession limit, only 30 may be white-winged, of which no more than 10 may be taken in any one day.
There is no daily bag limit or possession limit on the invasive Eurasian collared-dove. A fully feathered wing must be left attached to each dove for identification purposes until a hunter reaches his or her permanent residence or where the game meat will be consumed.
All hunters 18 and older must be in possession of a valid Arizona hunting license and Arizona migratory bird stamp while in the field. Visit www.azgfd.com/license to purchase a combination hunt and fish license ($57 for residents) that will be valid for the next 365 days, as well as a migratory bird stamp ($5).
Youth hunters (10 to 17) only need a youth combination hunt and fish license for $5. Those who are under 10 do not need a hunting license when accompanied by a licensed adult (two children per adult).
The Arizona Game and Fish Department offers additional dove-hunting information, including field-dressing tips and even a tasty recipe, at www.azgfd.gov/dove. For a complete listing of upcoming dove-hunting events, visit the department’s Outdoor Skills Network at https://register-ed.com/programs/arizona/170-outdoor-skills-network/name:dove
Dove hunters play an important role in conservation. Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) funds are comprised of excise taxes collected on the sale of hunting and fishing equipment (including 11 percent on ammunition), the benefit of which comes right back to Arizona for habitat improvements, construction and maintenance of shooting ranges, boating access facilities, and more.