North Zone Dove: Plowed corn fields along the Red River in Lamar County held limits of mourning doves. Birds are coming into soybeans as well. Clay County hunters set up along treelines in the morning and afternoon for near-limits. Best hunts in the High Plains have been in harvested corn and milo fields in the morning. Playa lakes adjacent to agriculture fields have been best in the afternoon. Sunflowers have held most of the doves in the Abilene area. The season runs through Oct. 25. Prospects are fair to good.
Central Zone Dove: Shooting slowed in and around San Antonio as the week progressed. Resident whitewings have become educated to the plight of hunters in corn fields outside of Loop 1604. Hunters there have taken limits in fields with watering sources nearby. Limit hunts were posted near Lytle in corn and milo. Uvalde, Sabinal, Hondo and Del Rio hunters saw half-limits — again, resident birds have become wise. The region needs another cool front to push birds to the area. Hunters have taken half-limits at best around Beaumont, Dayton, Liberty, Nome and Winnie. Brookshire, Hockley and Katy hunters continue to see few birds. Better shoots have come from Sealy and Columbus. Afternoon showers have hurt the flight somewhat, but have been welcomed by Texans. Prospects are fair until another cool front prompts new migrants to head south.
South Zone Dove: Season opens Friday, Sept. 18.
