Dove season opens strong in Shackelford County

Despite the 2025 dove season opening on a Monday, hunters in Shackelford County reported a day that met, or even exceeded, expectations – and expectations were high. 

Abundant birds, favorable weather, and packed fields made for a promising launch to the season, which had the traditional Sept. 1 start date and ends on Nov. 9 before picking up again for a “second season” Dec. 19, 2025 through Jan. 7, 2026.

Game Warden Jacob Mort said the county is seeing some of the best early results in the region. 

“We had what I believe is a record number of hunters and a lot of birds in the field,” Mort said on Monday afternoon. “Most folks were in good spirits, and many limited out this morning. Judging from what I am hearing, Shackelford is probably having more success than many other counties nearby.”

Mort added that while many hunters were leaving Monday night to go back to work, “a lot are planning to come back for the first full weekend. I do not think the weather will push the birds out anytime soon.”

Landowner Reports Strong Turnout

Local landowner Justin Trail said opening day was particularly rewarding for those in his fields. 

“It was really, really good hunting on the first day,” Trail said. “We had lots of birds and we were super fortunate with the weather. There was pretty heavy rain on Sunday, but it  didn’t seem to affect us. The hunters were happy, and the birds, well, they were terrified.”

Trail hosted 35 to 40 people Monday but expects up to 800 hunters on his property over the course of the week, rotating through different groups. “It looks like it is going to be a great year,” he said.

Abundant Habitat, 

Healthy Birds

Wade Montgomery, wildlife manager for a local ranch, said favorable conditions contributed to the strong start. 

“It was about as good of an opening morning as you could ever wish for,” Montgomery said. “All the rain this spring and summer added up to a good food supply with sunflowers and croton. Even with what seemed to be a lot of people in the fields, the hunting was excellent judging from everything I heard.”

Montgomery noted that temperatures will likely keep birds in the area for the coming week. “Until it drops to around 55 degrees, we will be okay,” he said. “There is a chance of rain Saturday, but highs in the 80s and lows in the mid-60s should hold the birds until next weekend.”