NEWS RELEASE
Sept. 11, 2025
PHOENIX — Arizona’s dove hunters still have time to get out in the field before the 15-day season ends at legal sunset Monday, Sept. 15.
A hunter can now harvest any combination of mourning and white-winged doves that makes up a 15-bird daily bag limit, or a possession limit of 45 total. This regulation change also applies to the “late” 45-day season that begins Nov. 21, 2025, and runs through Jan. 4, 2026. There is no daily bag or possession limit on invasive Eurasian collared-doves.
Notes: A fully feathered wing still must be left attached to each dove for identification purposes until a hunter reaches his or her permanent residence, or wherever the game meat will be consumed. Hunters also are encouraged to report any metal leg bands to reportband.gov and return transmitters to the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD).
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).
AZGFD reminds hunters to review the “2025-2026 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations” brochure, which is posted at www.azgfd.com/Hunting/Regulations/. For more information, including field-dressing tips and even a tasty recipe, visit www.azgfd.gov/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.