No Bag Limits for Eurasian Collared Doves

August 27, 2009

Question: What are the laws regarding shooting Eurasian collared doves, which are now all over the state? My understanding is that when the season opens on Sept. 1 we can shoot 10 white-winged or mourning doves in aggregate per day (double possession limit), and there is no limit on Eurasian collared doves, ringed turtle doves and spotted doves. Does this mean that since the Eurasian collared doves have no limits and are not included in our bag limit of 10, that we can shoot as many as we want during the dove season? (Rick S., Pleasanton, CA)

Answer: Yep, everything you have said is correct. Be sure you have your upland game bird stamp on your hunting license and retain a fully-feathered wing of each bird taken for identification. Additionally, hunters should know there is no open hunting season on common ground-doves, ruddy ground-doves and Inca doves.