Mourning dove hunt information

Season at a glance

Mourning dove hunt dates: Sept. 1–Nov. 29, from one half-hour before sunrise to sunset.

Limit: Daily bag limit is 15; possession limit 45.

Note: Only shotguns not capable of holding more than three shells may be used to take doves.

Complete regulations

License requirements

All residents age 16 and over and all nonresidents must have a valid small game license in their possession. Residents may hunt doves without a license on property they occupy as their principal residence. All dove hunters must have evidence that they are HIP certified.

Relative mourning dove density

Avoid common mistakes

  • Pre-season scouting is best in the morning and late afternoon, when doves are most active.
  • Doves are most abundant in agricultural areas of western and southern Minnesota.
  • Hunt in areas between food, water, grit and roosting locations.
  • Doves often feed in wheat, oat and sunflower fields. Landowner permission is required to hunt private agricultural fields.
  • Doves fly 30 to 40 mph and can reach 60 mph. Practice estimating extra wingshooting lead distance.
  • Downed doves blend well with vegetation. Mark and retrieve birds immediately. Dogs can be very useful in retrieving doves.
  • Early dove season weather may be hot; bring sufficient water for your dogs.
  • Shooting doves or other game birds from power lines is unethical.

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