For those looking to soak up the great outdoors during fall and early winter, dove hunting can be a great excuse to get out of the house. Whether you’re new to the sport or a seasoned veteran of countless dove hunts, having a go-to hunting ground gives you the ability to focus on the fun of the hunt without having to waste time on a commute.

It should come as no surprise to Texans that the Lone Star State provides plenty of great opportunities for dove hunting, which is great news for those looking to invest in real estate. The expert team at TexasLand has put together some tips for buying dove hunting land so you can take full advantage of your soon-to-be favorite hunting spot and get the most out of hunting season.

The Basics

Dove hunting season in Texas begins at the start of September and lasts through much of January, depending on where in the state you plan to hunt. For the full details, keep an eye on state hunting regulations, and be sure to note 2021’s extra set of three day dove hunting weekends. Once September arrives, make sure to get your migratory bird endorsement as a part of your hunting license — a relatively inexpensive purchase — load up on shotgun shells, and you should be good to go.

With over 300,000 dove hunters active every year in Texas, it’s clear that this particular hobby won’t be going out of style any time soon. Given the popularity of dove hunting, it’s a good thing that there is so much prey to be found, with roughly 25 million mourning doves and 12 million white-winged doves in the state. That said, public hunting grounds can see a scarcity problem sooner than later, and there’s nothing more frustrating than showing up to hunt and finding an empty field. On top of convenience, this is perhaps the best reason to invest in your own hunting land, so you can ensure that the local dove population doesn’t get scared off by excessive hunting. 

And speaking of convenience, experienced dove hunters are sure to know this, but given the best times for dove hunting – prior to sunrise or around dusk – having your hunting ground near your home base is an excellent way to avoid spending too much time on the road, especially early in the day. 

Location, Location, Location 

So what areas make for the best dove hunting land? As with most bird hunting, you’ll want to make sure that you have clear sightlines and are staying distant from other hunters. In general, you will want to stay at least 100 yards away from others — a safe distance given the 40-yard average range of most shotguns — although one hunting party per acre is ideal. Of course, if you have your own private hunting reserve, this won’t be an issue, but having plenty of space is always one of the top things to check when buying dove hunting land. 

In addition, birds favor land with plenty of water, whether it’s near a river or lake or simply a flooded field. If your land doesn’t have access to a water supply, you will need to develop it so that doves have access to a water source. 

While dove hunting is an option throughout most of Texas — arguably the best state for the sport in the U.S. — South and Central Texas is perhaps the best bet if you’re looking to hit your kill limit quickly, so keep an eye on properties in that area.  

A Well-Stocked Hunting Ground

Generally speaking, dove hunting remains popular because of its simplicity. Once you have your equipment, there isn’t much to it other than finding a good spot to wait, point, and shoot. So long as you’ve chosen an appropriate location, there isn’t too much else required, which is why this is such an accessible sport for new hunters. It also makes life easier for landowners: since doves are migratory, they will come to you and you don’t need to worry about stocking your property. 

That said, there are some steps you can take to make your land more desirable for birds. As previously mentioned, developing your land around water is a great way to attract birds, and providing plenty of cover will ensure they don’t get scared away. Some hunters also put out decoy doves in their hunting areas — static decoys work fine, but ones that offer some degree of motion are even better — to entice birds to the area. Whatever you do, keep it simple and do not bait the doves, as baiting is illegal in Texas. If any sort of bait is put out, whether it is salt or feed, your hunting area is ineligible for ten days, even if it is your own property.  

TexasLand Helps You Find the Best Land For Dove Hunting 

With your very own dove hunting reserve, your favorite outdoor hobby can be as close as your backyard. When you work with the expert team at TexasLand you are working with fellow Texans who know your passion for hunting as well as they know property. Even if you don’t know all the questions to ask when buying dove hunting land, we have the answers ready. 

Our agents personally preview hundreds of properties every year so that we are intimately familiar with the best parcels of land, and we get to know each individual client to ensure the best match for you. Whether you are looking for a hunting-ready property or something that has the potential to be developed into a draw for doves, we will find the right fit for your needs.  

We’ll work with you to identify the right area and use our comprehensive network of connections to help you develop the land so that it’s ready for your next hunting retreat. Contact us to find your perfect property today.