Dove Season in North Carolina – Rules and Regulations

With Labor Day weekend comes one of the biggest hunting days of the year – opening day of dove season. As migratory birds, doves are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and hunting them is subject to numerous Federal and State regulations. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a first-time hunter, a review of the basic rules and regulations will be helpful to a great hunt.

Licenses

To hunt doves, each hunter must purchase and possess a license that authorizes small game hunting. Additionally, dove hunters are required to possess a Harvest Information (HIP) Certification, which is issued separately from a license and free of charge. Lifetime or Annual hunting licenses for North Carolina residents authorize small game hunting. For nonresidents, small game hunting is authorized through a Lifetime, Annual, or 10-day nonresident hunting license. Youth hunters under the age of 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult unless they have completed a hunter safety course and obtained a Certificate of Competency.

You can purchase a license through the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commissions webpage or through the new GO Outdoors NC app which can be downloaded for iOS and Android users. The NC Wildlife app allows hunters to purchase licenses, sync licenses to their devices, view hunting resources and regulations, and register big game harvest.

Season Limits and Shooting Hours

Unlike most years, dove season begins the Monday of Labor Day this year. There are three seasons which run from the following dates:

• September 2 – October 5,
• November 9 – November 30, and
• December 16 – January 31.

Shooting hours range from thirty minutes before sunrise and end at sunset. Hunting any migratory bird, including dove, is not allowed on Sundays.

Limit

The daily bag limit is 15 mourning or white-winged doves, either as a single species or combined. This is a daily limit and does not allow for a hunter to take 15 birds in the morning and 15 birds in the evening. Hunters must make a reasonable effort to retrieve a dove that is shot and falls into dense cover, even if it is not found. If no reasonable efforts are made to retrieve a bird in dense cover, that bird will count towards the daily limit of 15 birds.

Methods

A maximum of three shells is allowed in your shotgun when hunting doves; one in the chamber and two in the magazine. If you have a shotgun that is capable of holding more than three shells, make sure your shotgun has its plug in to limit its capacity.

State and Federal law prohibits the taking of migratory birds by “baiting” and hunting over a “baited area.” Federal regulations do permit hunting over wildlife food plots, such as corn or sunflower fields, that have been bushogged or mowed.

Safety

As always, abide by the rules of hunter safety and take precautions by wearing ear and eye protections. If you plan to hunt with a dog, make sure to provide him or her with plenty of water and shade to stay hydrated in the heat. Heat exhaustion can be deadly for your retriever.

The violation of any of the laws can result in both state and federal criminal charges, court costs, hefty fines, the loss of hunting privileges, the seizure or forfeiture of your firearm, and even your vehicle. We have represented hundreds of individuals charged with hunting violations and are also life-long hunters who have the knowledge and experience to protect your rights when you are charged with a hunting violation. If you have any questions about the laws for legally harvesting doves or any other North Carolina hunting laws, or if you have been charged with a hunting violation, contact The Robinson Law Firm.

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