If you’re still looking for a place to hunt dove, consider the Texas’ public hunting program. The Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permit can be purchased from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and provides the opportunity to participate in a variety of inexpensive, public hunting activities for a variety of game species. The hunting permit cost $48.

Kelly Edmiston, public hunting coordinator with TPWD, said there are now more than 100 public hunting “units” totaling tens of thousands of acres scattered across the state that can be accessed by those purchasing an Annual Public Hunting permit.

“Today we have about 120 areas throughout the state that are leased for public hunting, ” reported Edmiston.

“Every year, we send biologists into the field, looking for new areas and contacting landowners to inquire about leasing their land for small game hunting. That includes doves, but also quail, waterfowl and even pheasants up in the Rolling Plains and Panhandle.
A few of the public hunting lands available in the Piney Woods are Anderson, Bowie, Cass, Morris Titus, and Angelina counties; Central Texas – Bell, Bexar, Brown, Burnet, Travis, and Williamson counties, to name only a few.

“When you purchase an Annual Hunting Permit you will receive a booklet (roughly 180 pages) that includes map of all the tracts in the public hunting program, listings for species that can be hunted and the regulations that each tract is under,” Edmiston said. “There’s also a digital version online on our website, which includes aerial maps of the areas, which can help provide a little more detail.”

Tawakoni, one of the Public Hunting Lands, located east of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex draws dove hunters, but also early season teal hunters; early Teal season is September 12-27. Tawakoni is a duck hunting haven, with more open dates than other WMAs.

Check out the Public Hunting Lands map for areas close to home. If you don't mind traveling, the Public Hunting Lands in southwest Texas, are rated as the best dove hunting opportunity in the United States.

Photos courtesy TPWD