Hunting
White-Winged Dove Hunting Is a Big Draw in the Valley
The Rio Grande Valley is one of Texas's most productive dove hunting areas, and Hidalgo County falls in the South Zone with early special white-winged dove days.
Hidalgo County is in the South Zone for dove. In 2025-2026, special white-winged dove days open September 5-7 and September 12-13. The regular South Zone season runs September 14 through October 26. It reopens December 12 through January 22.
The daily bag limit is 15 doves combined. That total covers white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves together—but no more than 2 white-tipped doves may be included in that limit.
To hunt doves in Texas, you need three things: a Texas hunting license, a Migratory Game Bird Endorsement, and HIP Certification. HIP stands for Harvest Information Program—it is a free federal registration. Confirm current rules on the TPWD Outdoor Annual before you go out. Migratory bird rules are set each year by both state and federal agencies and can change.
Source to confirm: TPWD – Hidalgo County Outdoor Annual Regulations