Dove Hunting — Be Social, Eat Local!
What’s Required to Hunt Doves in Arizona?
- Valid hunt license
- Migratory Bird Stamp
Story: A Hunters’ First Experience at Dove Hunting
Video: Youth Learning to Hunt Dove
Register for a beginner’s hunting class
What Equipment do I Need for Dove Hunting?
- A properly fitted shotgun in any gauge that you can shoot well
- Shotgun shells for your gun in shot size 7 ½ or smaller (the national average is five shots per dove harvested so figure 75 shells per limit of 15 doves)
- Clothing appropriate for the season (loose and breathable during the early season versus warm and comfortable for the later season)
- Well-fitting, comfortable boots
- Hearing and eye protection
- Sunscreen
- Water
- A cooler full of ice to transport your birds and water to drink
- Optional equipment: bird vest to carry birds and shells; camp chair; knife/scissors/game shears to process your birds in the field; resealable bags to store your processed birds in
Some Do’s and Do Not’s of Dove Hunting
Do
- Leave one fully feathered wing attached to the bird for identification until you reach your permanent residence or the place the meat will be consumed
- Keep individual limits of birds separate from others while in the field, cooler and in transit
- Respect postings on private land and leave gates as found
- Make a reasonable effort to retrieve all downed birds
- Report violations to Operation Game Thief 1-800-352-0700
Do not
- Shot within ¼ mile (440 yards) of an occupied structure while hunting unless you have permission
- Shoot from, across or into roads or railways
- Leave shotgun shells or other litter on the ground
- Hunt over waters all day — allow time for livestock to access water
- Consume drugs and/or alcohol while hunting or handling firearms
What About Hunter Orange?
Although clothing or equipment colored in hunter orange is not required in Arizona, it’ recommended when hunting in a group or near other hunters. It allows others to see at a distance and during the times where you may be moving through the thick cover to retrieve downed birds.
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