Iowa’s mourning dove season opens this Labor Day, Sept. 1, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff predict a busy opening day thanks to mild weather and a later start to teal season. Upland Wildlife Biologist Todd Bogenschutz says, “Anytime the opening day falls on a holiday weekend, we see higher participation, and with the weather forecast and teal not opening until Sept. 6, we expect a lot of hunters to be out.” In 2024, hunter numbers rose three percent to 14,000, though dove harvest fell 27 percent to 143,000. Mourning doves remain the most abundant game bird in the U.S., with an estimated population of more than 345 million. In addition to an Iowa hunting license, hunters must also register annually with the Harvest Information Program (HIP) if pursuing migratory game birds, which include doves, as well as ducks, geese, coots, woodcock and snipe. Popular hunting spots include mowed sunflower fields, small grains and farm ponds. Shooting hours run from a half-hour before sunrise to sunset, and hunters are urged to prioritize safety and clean up spent shell casings. DNR staff remind dove hunters to ensure everybody in a party is well aware of their zone of fire and is familiar with their party’s locations and any other nearby hunters prior to their hunt beginning.
Iowa’s Mourning Dove Season Opens Sept. 1 With Strong Hunter Interest Expected
