To report an unlawful or suspicious activity, contact the AZGFD Game Thief Hotline at (800) 352-0700


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Dove Season
updates





FOR THE YEAR 2022-2023



Season 2022-2023





Dove hunting season kicks off with the early season on Thursday, September 1st at 1/2 hour before sunrise and runs through Thursday September 15th at sunset. ​



EARLY SEASON





Sept 1st through Sept 15th ​2022

Any Mourning or White-winged Dove



LATE SEASON





Nov 18th, 2022 through Jan 1st, 2023

Any Mourning Dove



YEAR ROUND





Eurasian Collared Dove

Unlimited bag limit



Review the 2022-2023 Arizona Game and Fish Department's Hunting Regulations



STATEWIDE INFORMATION





Download a copy of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's 2022-2023 Dove Hunting Regulations HERE.For more information on statewide dove hunting please visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department's mainDove Hunting page HERE there is also a mobile friendly page that can be accessed HERE.For all other Hunting Regulations click HERE.


BAG LIMITS



EARLY SEASON





Mourning doves and White-winged doves

Total = 15 per day

NO MORE than 10 may be white-winged doves.


Possession limit

Total = 45

NO MORE than 30 may be white-winged doves.



LATE SEASON





Only Mourning doves

Total = 15 per day




Possession Limit

Total = 45



COMMON HUNTING VIOLATIONS





TAKE WILDLIFE WITHOUT LICENSE





A.R.S. 17-331 defines as a violation, that In order to take any wildlife in Arizona, you must have the appropriate current hunting or fishing license in your possession. You should check your license every time that you go hunting, fishing or collecting. Also, you must sign your license and tag before hunting.



TRESPASSING





ARS 13-1502 defines criminal trespass to include a person knowingly entering onto or remaining on any property of another if reasonable notice prohibiting entry has been given (RESPECT all postings placed by the farm - recognize that if you do not follow the directions of the landowner they may revoke your permission to be there).



EXCEED BAG AND/OR POSSESSION LIMIT





A.R.S. 17-309A.14 and A.15 Wildlife may only be taken and possessed in the quantities prescribed by the Arizona Game and Fish Commission Orders for bag and possession limits. Consult Commission Orders for each species for specifics.



DISCHARGE FIREARM WITHIN 0.25 MI





ARS 17-309A.4 defines as a violation, anyone discharging a firearm within 1/4 mile of an occupied structure while hunting without permission of the structure's owner.



DESTROY CROPS OR PRIVATE PROPERTY





ARS 17-309A.3 defines as a violation, any person that destroys growing crops, personal property, notices or signboards, or other improvements while hunting. If any person is found in violation of this statute it may be grounds for revocation of their hunting privileges.



LITTERING WHILE HUNTING





ARS 17-309A.9 defines as a violation, any person that litters any hunting area while taking wildlife. This can include shotgun hulls and remnants of dead wildlife. If any person is found in violation of this statute, it may be grounds for revocation of their hunting privileges.



POSSESS UNLAWFULLY TAKEN WILDLIFE





A.R.S. 17-309A.16 defines as a violation, any wildlife that is unlawfully taken, may not be legally possessed. So even though you may not have been involved in the illegal taking of wildlife, you cannot legally possess unlawfully taken wildlife or parts thereof.



TAKE WILDLIFE DURING CLOSED SEASON OR AFTER LEGAL HOURS





A.R.S. 17-309A.10 AND A.R.S. 17-301.A Wildlife may only be taken during times prescribed by the Commission and closed season shall be in effect unless opened by Commission Order.



TAKE WILDLIFE WITH A PROHIBITED DEVICE OR BY AN UNLAWFUL METHOD





A.R.S 17-301.A A.R.S., 17-309.A 12-13, R12-4-303, and R12-4-304 defines a violation, wildlife may only be taken by a device or method as prescribed by the Commission. Migratory game birds may be taken only with a 10-gauge or smaller shotgun capable of holding no more than three shells (two in the magazine and one in the chamber). unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun, so its total capacity does not exceed three shells.



TAKE/HUNT FROM A VEHICLE





A.R.S. 17-301.B and R12-4-319 defines as a violation, no person may take wildlife from a motor vehicle, watercraft or aircraft, except as permitted by Commission Order. You are unlawfully using a vehicle to take wildlife if you intentionally drive around until you see the animal you wish to harvest and then make an attempt to take. “Road hunting” is illegal.



SHOOT ACROSS ROAD





A.R.S. 17-301.B defines as a violation, no person may knowingly discharge any firearm or shoot any other device including bow and arrow upon, from, across, or into a maintained road or railway. It is advisable not to shoot from or across any road. Again, this is one of the most common violations during the dove season.



OBTAIN LICENSE OR PERMIT BY FRAUD





A.R.S. 17-341 defines violation as, “Resident” means a person who is domiciled in this state for six months immediately preceding the date of application or purchase of a license, permit, tag, or stamp and does not claim residency for any purpose in another state or jurisdiction.





For more information, click HERE to download the AZGFD Hunting Regulations 2022-23



Ethical guidelines for hunting in and around Agricultural lands:

  • OBEY all postings and seek out permission prior to entering onto any private land.
  • DO NOT harvest or field dress game near growing produce (vegetable) fields.
  • NEVER urinate or defecate near fields or waterways. Look for sanitary facilities provided on ranches.
  • DO NOT allow domestic animals (dogs) in or around growing produce (vegetable) crops.


Following these guidelines along with the application of common courtesy goes a long way towards being welcomed back in the future. Remember that irresponsible actions by a few, can impact future hunting opportunities for many.


It is our duty as ethical hunters to help ensure that the lands we hunt upon remain open for future generations.



For more information click HERE to check out and download the AZGFD Dove Hunting Brochure