OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s dove hunting season o cially opens Monday, o ering wing-shooters a fast-paced opportunity as one of the state's fi rst big hunts of the fall.
The season runs Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, and then reopens Dec. 1–29, giving hunters two distinct chances to pursue mourning, white-winged and Eurasian collared doves.
The bag limit is 15 birds per day, in any combination. Notably, hunters may take unlimited Eurasian collared doves—as long as the birds retain a head or fully feathered wing attached during transport.
Monday’sopenercoincideswiththepopular Free Hunting Days, allowing Oklahoma residents to hunt without a standard state license on Sept. 7–8. However, anyone hunting doves must still hold the required federal Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration unless exempt, and adhere to all other conservation regulations.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) encourages hunters to scout early and take advantage of public lands managed for dove, including Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and fi elds accessible through the Oklahoma Land Access Program (OLAP)—which requires a separate land-access permit.
Dove hunters are drawn to the opener’s unseasonably warm weather, modest concealment needs, and generous bag limits.
ODWC o cials urge hunters to prepare by reviewing updated regulations available online or through the Go Outdoors Oklahoma app.