Mourning dove hunting typically kicks off the fall hunting season as many look forward to a day on a dove field with family and friends. Unlike many other hunting activities, dove hunting is usually a highly social event with many hunters on the same field.
Alabama is separated into two zones (North and South). The North Zone consists of the northernmost 58 counties in the state and the South Zone consists of 9 southernmost counties in the state, including Baldwin, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile. The North and South zone seasons typically open a week apart in early September.
License Requirements
To hunt mourning doves in Alabama, you must have the following:
- All Game OR Small Game Hunting License (unless exempt)
- HIP - Harvest Information Program Certification (free)
- Free map permit IF hunting on a WMA; non-residents also need a WMA license if hunting a WMA
How to Report a Band
If you harvest a dove with a band, report it online at www.reportband.gov.
Special Opportunity Area Limited Quota Dove Hunts
A total of seven limited quota dove hunts will be offered at Prairie Glades, Portland Landing, Little River State Forest, and Blackwater River SOAs during the 2023 season. Registration for these hunts will open on September 1st at 8:00 AM.
Registration for the September 9th hunts will close on September 4th at 1:00 PM and the drawing will take place at 3:00 PM. An automated email will be sent following the drawing notifying registrants of their hunt status. Hunters will have 48 hours to accept their hunt. Any hunter not meeting the deadline will be automatically declined and an alternate will be promoted. This short registration for the September 9th hunts is due to the new license year beginning on September 1st. The computer automated system will not allow us to open the registration prior to September 1st so that it can recognize the new WMA licenses. Registration for the remaining hunts will close on September 11th. The drawing for the remaining hunts will be on September 11th. An automated email will be sent following the drawing notifying registrants of their hunt status. Hunters will have 48 hours to accept their hunt status.
The dove fields were planted in the spring with a variety of agricultural crops. Fields will be legally manipulated prior to the hunts. Each hunter and guest will have an assigned location in the field.
Hunters are required to have a hunting license and Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification (unless exempt) to be properly licensed to hunt doves.
Prairie Glades SOA (Montgomery County)
- September 9th & 23rd
- October 7th & 21st
30 hunters will be selected for each hunt. Each selected hunter is allowed to bring one properly licensed guest for a total of 60 hunters per hunt.
Portland Landing SOA (Dallas County)
- September 9th
18 hunters will be selected for each hunt. Each selected hunter is allowed to bring one properly licensed guest for a total of 36 hunters per hunt.
Little River State Forest SOA (Escambia County)
- September 9th
20 hunters will be selected for each hunt. Each selected hunter is allowed to bring one properly licensed guest for a total of 40 hunters per hunt.
Blackwater River SOA (Baldwin County)
- September 16th
10 hunters will be selected for each hunt. Each selected hunter is allowed to bring one properly licensed guest for a total of 20 hunters per hunt.
To Register For These Hunts CLICK HERE
Learn More about Dove Field Planting Guidelines
SOA Dove Hunting Opportunities
