U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Dove Hunting 2008

Balcones Canyonlands

 National Wildlife Refuge

Set in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, 

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife 

Refuge invites visitors to slow down and 

enjoy the tranquil splendor found here. 

Located at the junction of the Great 

Plains and the Gulf Coast bioregions, 

life tends to be rich and unusual. The 

rare limestone geology of the Edwards 

Plateau adds to the mystique and 

fascinating plants and animals which have 

adapted and live here and nowhere else.

Balcones Canyonlands NWR is one of 

over 540 national wildlife refuges. At least 

one national wildlife refuge is located in 

every state. To learn more about refuges 

in Texas and the Southwest Region of 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 

visit the website at http://www.fws.gov/

southwest/refuges.

Dove hunting in Texas is enjoyed by 

old and young alike. Each year, millions 

of hunters take to the field during the 

opening of dove season. Sons, daughters, 

husbands, wives grandparents and friends 

enjoy good company when “dove” season 

opens. Many youngsters enjoy their very 

first hunting experience during this time; 

many form enduring memories from their 

first hunt.

Staff at Balcones Canyonlands NWR 

established and improved habitat in six 

sites using native plants. This 100 acres 

is open and available for dove hunting. A 

pond and one stream bisect the southern 

portion of this dove hunting area.

Dove Hunting Regulations

· You must pay for, possess, and carry 

a Refuge permit while hunting 

on all hunt units of the Refuge.

· We require proof that hunters possess 

a valid Texas hunting license.

· Legal game includes mourning doves, 

white-winged doves, rock doves and 

Eurasian collared-doves. 

· We require the use of non-toxic 

shot, approved for waterfowl hunting

(such as steel or bismuth shot).

· We prohibit shooting at other birds or 

wildlife during this hunt season.

· We allow hunting from noon to sunset, 

September 1-4, 2008.

· All hunters must be 10-years old or 

older. An adult 21 years of age or older 

must supervise hunters age 10-17 

inclusive.

· We allow scouting on the property only 

during the designated dove hunting 

times and dates.

· We allow the use of dogs for retrieving 

game birds; they must be under control 

at all times.

· We prohibit the use or possession of 

alcohol of any kind on refuge lands.

· Shotguns must be plugged and hold no 

more than three shells at one time.

· We may immediately close the entire 

Refuge or any portion thereof to 

hunting for the protection of resources 

as determined by the Refuge Manager.

· No person shall take in any one day 

more than one daily bag limit for 

mourning and white-winged doves.

Rock doves and Eurasian collared 

doves have no bag limit.

· Hunters shall kill wounded birds 

immediately and include these in the 

daily bag limit.

· We allow vehicular travel on designated 

roads and in parking areas. We prohibit 

hunting from roads and blocking access 

to any road or trail entering or on 

the Refuge.

· In addition to Federal regulations, 

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 

laws and regulations are in effect 

unless further restricted by Federal 

law or regulation.

Hunting Safety

· Do not load your shotgun until you are 

at your chosen hunt site. Unload 

your shotgun as soon as you are 

done hunting.

· Do not shoot at low-flying birds under 

any circumstance.

· Do not shoot at birds perched on 

power lines.

· Be aware of the positions of your fellow 

hunters.

Hunting Permits

To obtain a dove hunting permit:

Hunters may purchase permits at the 

dove hunting area during the designated 

hunting times and dates or at the Refuge 

Office on FM 1431 during business hours: 

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Dove hunting permits are $15.00.

We accept cash, certified check, or money 

orders for the exact amount.

Big Game Hunting

The Refuge offers limited big-game 

hunting through a public draw system. 

We require payment of an application fee 

and hunting permit fee prior to hunting 

for big-game on the Refuge. Applications 

are due mid-August. For additional 

information, contact the Refuge Office 

at 512/339-9432 or visit our website at: 

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/

texas/balcones.

For further information

Balcones Canyonlands

National Wildlife Refuge

24518 FM 1431, Box 1

Marble Falls, TX 78654

512/339-9432

August 2008
Balcones Canyonlands NWR

Map to Dove Hunting Area

Dove Hunting Area