YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

Dove hunting bags valuable income for Texas rural landowners

By Gary Joiner
Publisher

About 300,000 Texans will head to the field for dove hunting this season.

And most should see plenty of birds. 

Mourning dove numbers are up 44% over last year, and white-wing dove numbers are 20% higher, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. 

We can thank a good wet, cool spring for that. 

Day leases and season leases on farms and ranches are an option for those venturing out. These properties are managed for dove, and they represent a quality setting for both new hunters and seasoned veterans. 

The Texas Dove Hunters Association lists many of these leases on its website.

Dove hunting leases are an important source of income for farmers, ranchers and other property owners. Every dollar counts in today’s challenging farm and ranch economy.

The dollars add up statewide. Dove hunting fills the Texas economic bag with more than $450 million annually.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

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