Prepare yourself for an unforgettable dove season in Alabama as the 2024-2025 hunting season approaches. With its abundance of mourning doves and diverse terrain, Alabama offers unparalleled opportunities for both seasoned and novice hunters alike. As you plan your hunting expeditions for the upcoming season, it’s imperative to stay informed about the official dove season dates, regulations, and safety protocols.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has meticulously planned the 2024-2025 dove season to provide hunters with optimal hunting experiences. The season will commence on September 1, 2024, and conclude on October 30, 2025. Additionally, there will be a special youth-only dove hunt on September 1, 2024. To ensure a safe and responsible hunting environment, hunters are required to possess a valid hunting license and follow all applicable regulations outlined by the ADCNR.
As the anticipation for the upcoming dove season builds, hunters can enhance their preparations by familiarizing themselves with the abundance of hunting opportunities available throughout Alabama. The state boasts a plethora of public hunting areas, including wildlife management areas (WMAs) and national forests, which offer diverse habitats for mourning doves. Hunters are encouraged to explore these areas, scout potential hunting spots, and develop a strategic hunting plan to maximize their chances of a successful season.
Alabama Dove Season 2024-2025 Dates and Regulations
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has announced the 2024-2025 dove season dates and regulations. The season will run from September 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025.
Daily Bag Limit
The daily bag limit for doves is 15 per day. The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.
Shooting Hours
Shooting hours for doves are from sunrise to sunset.
Method of Take
Doves may be taken with shotguns, air rifles, or bows and arrows. Shotguns must be plugged to hold no more than three shells.
Dove Fields
The ADCNR has designated several dove fields throughout the state. These fields are open to the public and provide a great opportunity to hunt doves.
Dove Hunting Safety
* Always wear hunter orange when hunting doves.
* Be aware of your surroundings and other hunters.
* Never shoot at a dove that is flying towards another person.
* Clean up your hunting area before leaving.
* Respect the rights of landowners and other hunters.
Early Season: September 1-15
Dove Hunting Season Outlook
The early dove season in Alabama is expected to provide hunters with ample opportunities to harvest doves. The weather conditions and habitat availability are favorable for dove populations, and the forecast predicts an above-average number of mourning doves in the state. Hunters should expect to see plenty of doves in fields, agricultural areas, and open woodlands during the early season.
Hunting Methods and Equipment
Hunters can use various methods to hunt doves during the early season. Some popular techniques include pass shooting, field hunting, and water hole hunting. Pass shooting involves setting up a blind near a dove flyway and waiting for doves to pass by. Field hunting involves walking through fields and flushing doves from the ground. Water hole hunting is a passive method where hunters set up near a water source and wait for doves to come in to drink. Regardless of the method used, hunters should bring appropriate equipment, such as a shotgun, camouflage clothing, and binoculars.
Bag Limits and Regulations
| Species | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Mourning Dove | 15 | 30 |
| White-Winged Dove | 5 | 10 |
Hunters must adhere to the bag limits and regulations set by the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. The daily bag limit for mourning doves is 15, and the possession limit is 30. The daily bag limit for white-winged doves is 5, and the possession limit is 10. Hunters should also be aware of the shooting hours, which are from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Hunting Hours and Methods
**Hunting Hours:**
The Alabama dove season for 2024-2025 will run from September 1, 2024, to October 15, 2024, and from December 20, 2024, to January 15, 2025.
**Methods:**
Hunters may use shotguns, bows and arrows, or falconry to harvest doves. During the first half of the season (September 1 – October 15), shooting hours are from 12:00 p.m. until sunset each day. During the second half of the season (December 20 – January 15), shooting hours are from 9:00 a.m. until sunset each day.
Shooting Hours
Legal Shooting Hours**
The legal shooting hours for mourning doves in Alabama are as follows:
| Date | Shooting Hours |
|---|---|
| September 1 – October 15 | 12:00 p.m. to Sunset |
| December 20 – January 15 | 9:00 a.m. to Sunset |
**Bag and Possession Limits:**
The daily bag limit for mourning doves is 15 birds, and the possession limit is 45 birds.
Special Mourning Dove Hunting Days
Alabama offers special mourning dove hunting days, which are days outside of the regular mourning dove season when hunters can harvest doves. These special days are designed to provide additional opportunities for dove hunting and to help manage dove populations.
Early Season
The early mourning dove season for 2024-2025 is September 1, 2024, through September 14, 2024. This season is only available in certain counties.
Youth Season
The youth mourning dove season for 2024-2025 is September 15, 2024, and September 16, 2024. This season is open to youth hunters under the age of 16.
Regular Season
The regular mourning dove season for 2024-2025 is October 28, 2024, through January 15, 2025. This season is open to all hunters.
Supplemental Season
The supplemental mourning dove season for 2024-2025 is February 1, 2025, through March 2, 2025. This season is open to all hunters in certain counties.
Bag Limits
The bag limit for mourning doves is 15 per day during the early season, youth season, and regular season. The bag limit is 12 per day during the supplemental season.
Additional Resources and Information
In addition to the information provided above, here are some additional resources and information that may be helpful for dove hunters in Alabama.
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR)
The ADCNR is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife and natural resources in Alabama. The ADCNR website has a wealth of information on dove hunting, including regulations, season dates, and hunting locations. https://www.outdooralabama.com/
National Audubon Society
The National Audubon Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitats. The Audubon website has information on dove hunting, including tips on how to hunt doves sustainably. https://www.audubon.org/
Alabama Wildlife Federation
The Alabama Wildlife Federation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and natural resources in Alabama. The AWF website has information on dove hunting, including tips on how to find and hunt doves. https://www.alabamawildlife.org/
Alabama Dove Hunters Association
The Alabama Dove Hunters Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of dove hunting in Alabama. The ADHA website has information on dove hunting, including tips on how to hunt doves and where to find hunting locations. https://www.alabamadovehunters.org/
Dove Hunting Regulations
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has established regulations for dove hunting in the state. These regulations include season dates, bag limits, and hunting methods. It is important to be familiar with these regulations before hunting doves in Alabama.
The following table summarizes the dove hunting regulations for the 2024-2025 season.
| Regulation | Value |
|---|---|
| Season Dates | September 1, 2024 – October 27, 2024 November 22, 2024 – January 15, 2025 |
| Bag Limit | 15 doves per day |
| Hunting Methods | Shotgun, archery, or falconry |
Alabama Dove Season 2024-2025 Schedule PDF
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has released the 2024-2025 dove season schedule. The season will open on September 1, 2024, and close on January 15, 2025. The daily bag limit is 15 doves, and the possession limit is 45 doves. Dove hunting is allowed in all 67 counties in Alabama.
The ADCNR also released a PDF of the dove season schedule. The PDF can be downloaded from the ADCNR website.
People Also Ask
When is the dove season in Alabama?
The dove season in Alabama runs from September 1, 2024, to January 15, 2025.
What is the daily bag limit for doves in Alabama?
The daily bag limit for doves in Alabama is 15 doves.
What are the shooting hours for doves in Alabama?
The shooting hours for doves in Alabama are from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Are there any special regulations for dove hunting in Alabama?
Yes, there are some special regulations for dove hunting in Alabama. These regulations include:
- Dove hunting is not allowed on Sundays.
- Dove hunting is not allowed within 100 yards of any occupied building.
- Dove hunting is not allowed from a moving vehicle.
