Several hunting seasons, including dove, open Sept. 1: Here’s what you need to know

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Dove season opens today in Tennessee, continuing what the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) called “one of the state’s oldest outdoor sporting traditions.”

The daily bag limit for pigeons is 15, although TWRA said there is no limit for collared pigeons.

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“Doves that are not readily identifiable as collared doves will be considered mourning doves and count toward the mourning dove daily bag limit,” TWRA said in a Wednesday news release. “No person shall take migratory game birds by means of bait or on any baited area. Any self-loading or repeating rifle must be incapable of holding more than three shells while being used for dove hunting.”

Public pigeon fields in Region 1 include:

• Big Sandy, Bogota

• Camden, Eagle Lake

• Harmon Creek

• Horns Bluff

• John Tully

• Moss Island

• Natchez Trace

• Obion River

• Parker Branch

• Spiny cypress

• Three Rivers

• Tigrett

• Tumbleweed

• White oak

• Wolf River Unit 1

Public pigeon fields in Region 2 include:

• Bark Camp Barrens

• Cheatham Lake

• Haley Jaqueth

• Haynes Fund

• Laurel Hill

• Mingo Swamp

• Percy Priest

• Sheltons Ferry

• Williamsport

• Yanahli

Public pigeon fields in Region 3 include:

• Bridgestone Firestone

• Catoosa

• Hiwassee

• Jackson Swamp

• McGlothin Largen

• North Chickamauga

• Pea Ridge

• Pentice Cooper

• Lake Tellico

Public pigeon fields in Region 4 include:

TWRA urges hunters to familiarize themselves with migratory bird hunting regulations before heading out into the field. Learn more about responsible dove hunting and dove hunting legislation here.

However, the pigeon season is not the only season that starts today.

“A short crow hunting season overlaps with the opening week of dove season, September 1-5,” TWRA said in a news release. It will resume between September 13 and December 20 and hunting is allowed on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only in this segment.”

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In addition, the early season for several other species of geese begins today, including Canada, Brant, Blue, Snow and Ross. The early season for these species continues through September 22. Click here for information on bag limits.

The season for moorhens, gallinules, Virginias and sister rails also opens today and closes on November 9. To hunt these species, be sure to have a Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit. Click here for more information on hunting licenses and permits or to purchase a permit.

You can obtain a copy of the 2024-25 Tennessee Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Guide from any TWRA regional office or license provider.

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