California’s dove hunting season is rapidly approaching, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is now accepting applications for special dove hunts throughout the state.

The first half of the split season will be open statewide from Sept. 1-15, 2017. The second half will be open statewide from Nov. 11 through Dec. 25, 2017.

For mourning dove and white-winged dove, the daily bag limit is 15, up to 10 of which may be white-winged doves. The possession limit is triple the daily bag limit. There is no limit for spotted dove or ringed dove, but the season dates are the same as for mourning dove and white-winged dove.

Eurasian collared dove is the only dove species that can be hunted year-round, with no limit.

Dove hunters may be interested in CDFW’s specially managed hunt opportunities throughout California during the dove season. Please note that applications for these opportunities must now be filed through the Automated License Data System (ALDS). Hunt drawings will be held for opportunities at the following locations:

• Merced and Stanislaus counties: North Grasslands Wildlife Area (China Island and Salt Slough units), Los Banos Wildlife Area
• Sacramento County: Cosumnes River Preserve
• Fresno County: Pilibos
• San Bernardino County: Camp Cady Wildlife Area
• San Diego County: Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve, San Felipe Valley Wildlife Area
• San Luis Obispo County: Carrizo Plains Ecological Reserve

The application deadline for all hunts is midnight on Aug. 12. Applications can be filed online, at CDFW license sales offices or through retail license agents. Applications may also be filed over the telephone at (800) 565-1458. Additional information is available at wildlife.ca.gov/Hunting/Upland-Game-Birds/Hunts.

All hunters must abide by California’s nonlead requirements. Currently, nonlead ammunition is required for hunting doves on any CDFW-managed property, but is not required to hunt doves on private property or public lands not managed by CDFW. Starting on July 1, 2019, nonlead ammunition will be required to take all wildlife anywhere in California.