Several hunting seasons, including dove, open Sept. 1: Here’s what to know

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Dove season opens today in Tennessee, continuing what the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has called “one of the state’s most long-standing outdoor sports traditions.”

The daily bag limit for doves is 15, though the TWRA said that there is no limit on collared doves.

“Doves not readily identifiable as collared doves will be considered mourning doves and will count toward the mourning dove daily bag limit,” the TWRA noted in a Wednesday press release. “No person shall take migratory game birds by the aid of baiting, or on any baited area. Any auto-loading or repeating shotgun must be incapable of holding more than three shells while being used for dove hunting.”

Regional Dove Field Maps & Directions (Courtesy: TWRA)

Public dove fields in Region 1 include:

Big Sandy, Bogota

Camden, Eagle Lake

Harmon Creek

Horns Bluff

John Tully

Moss Island

Natchez Trace

Obion River

Parker Branch

Thorny Cypress

Three Rivers

Tigrett

Tumbleweed

White Oak

Wolf River Unit 1

Public dove fields in Region 2 include:

Bark Camp Barrens

Cheatham Lake

Haley Jaqueth

Haynes Bottom

Laurel Hill

Mingo Swamp

Percy Priest

Sheltons Ferry

Williamsport

Yanahli

Public dove fields in Region 3 include:

Bridgestone Firestone

Catoosa

Hiwassee

Jackson Swamp

McGlothin Largen

North Chickamauga

Pea Ridge

Pentice Cooper

Tellico Lake

Public dove fields in Region 4 include:

Buffalo Springs

Chuck Swan

Forks of the River

Joachim Bible Refuge Field

Kyles Ford

Lick Creek Bottoms

The TWRA urges hunters to become familiar with migratory bird hunting regulations before setting out into the field. See more about responsible dove hunting, and dove hunting legislation, here.

However, dove season isn’t the only season that starts today.

“A short crow hunting season overlaps with the opening week of dove season, Sept. 1-5,” the TWRA said in a press release. It will resume Sept. 13 through Dec. 20 and hunting is allowed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only in this segment.”

Additionally, the early season for several other species of geese starts today, including Canada, Brant, blue, snow and Ross’. The early season for those species continues through September 22. Click here for information on bag limits.

The season for moorhens, gallinules, Virginia and sora rails also opens today and closes on November 9. To hunt these species, make sure you have a Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit. Click here for more information about hunting licenses and permits, or to purchase a permit.

You can obtain a copy of the 2024-25 Tennessee Fishing, Hunting & Trapping Guide at any TWRA regional office or license vendor.