Skip to main content
Hunting

Dove

Every September, hunters get excited to start their hunting season with a blast. Dove fly through the state during annual migrations, presenting one of the most difficult wingshooting targets available in The Natural State, prompting hunts and tailgating scenes across the state rivaling those found in Fayetteville during a home football game. 

The 2024-25 Arkansas Dove Season is Sept. 7-Oct. 27, 2024 and Dec. 8, 2024-Jan.15, 2025. The daily bag limit for mourning dove and white-winged dove is 15, with a possession limit of 45. There is no daily bag limit or possession limit for Eurasian Collared-dove.


Legal Hunting Equipment

  • Doves may be taken only with shotguns.
  • Shotguns must be incapable of holding more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined.
  • Lead shot may be no larger than shot size BB. Non-toxic shot may be no larger than shot size T.

Legal Shooting Hours

  • Legal shooting hours are from 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.

Licenses Needed

  • Hunters 16 or older must have on their person a valid Arkansas hunting license and Harvest Information Program registration while hunting.
  • Hunters younger than 16 do not need a license or HIP registration.

Dove Processing 101 (Video)


Resources