2024 TPWD Dove Status Report
Background
- Texas’ Impact: Texas is a major player in dove hunting, accounting for 32% of the total mourning dove harvest and 87% of the white-winged dove harvest in the U.S. annually.
- Economic Impact: Dove hunting contributes significantly to the economy, with approximately 300,000 hunters in the field each year, leading to an economic impact of $316 million (adjusted to $508 million for inflation).
Monitoring and Survey Methodology
- Surveys: Since 2008, TPWD has conducted rural and urban dove surveys each May-June to estimate spring breeding populations. The only exception was 2020, when surveys were canceled due to COVID-19.
- Survey Techniques: Distance sampling techniques were used to estimate dove populations across different Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs) in Texas.
Statewide Status
- Mourning Doves:
- Population: The 2024 estimated population is 34.3 million, marking a 21% increase from 2023 and 24% above the long-term average (2008-23).
- Distribution: 89% of these doves were found in rural areas, with the highest densities observed in urban areas, which were 2.6 times greater than in rural regions.
- Key Regions: Nearly 80% of mourning doves are found in the Shortgrass Prairie, Oaks and Prairies, Tamaulipan Brushlands, and Central Mixed Grass Prairie BCRs.
- White-winged Doves:
- Population: The 2024 population estimate is 12.8 million, the highest on record, with a 4% increase from 2023 and 27% above the long-term average.
- Distribution: 78% were found in urban areas, with urban densities 65 times higher than rural ones.
- Key Regions: 80% of white-winged doves are found in the Oaks and Prairies, Tamaulipan Brushlands, Gulf Coast Prairie, and Edwards Plateau BCRs.
Regional Status Highlights
Report on BCR 21 – Oaks and Prairies (2024)
Mourning Dove Status
- 2024 Population: Estimated at 9,032,357 mourning doves.
- Long-Term Change: The population is 36.1% above the long-term average (2008-2023).
- Year-over-Year Change: There was an 18.7% increase in the population compared to 2023.
White-Winged Dove Status
- 2024 Population: Estimated at 3,756,859 white-winged doves.
- Long-Term Change: The population is 15.6% above the long-term average.
- Year-over-Year Change: The population increased by 21.6% compared to 2023.
Summary
- Mourning Doves: The mourning dove population in BCR 21 is strong, with significant increases both compared to the long-term average and the previous year. This region is one of the most important for mourning doves in Texas.
- White-Winged Doves: The white-winged dove population is also growing steadily, with substantial year-over-year growth, reflecting the expansion of this species in the region.
The BCR 21 – Oaks and Prairies region shows positive trends for both mourning and white-winged doves, making it a vital area for dove populations in Texas.
- BCR 19 (Central Mixed Grass Prairie):
- Mourning Doves: 2024 population was 3.5 million, a decrease of 18.1% from 2023 but still 30% above the long-term average.
- White-winged Doves: Population increased by 14.3% from 2023, with a total of 753,439.
- Other BCRs:
- The report also details the status in other BCRs like Edwards Plateau, Oaks and Prairies, West Gulf Coast Plain, Chihuahuan Desert, Tamaulipan Brushlands, and Gulf Coast Prairie, showing varying trends in mourning and white-winged dove populations.
Conclusion
The 2024 dove population in Texas is robust, with significant increases in both mourning and white-winged doves compared to previous years. The ongoing monitoring and management efforts by TPWD continue to support the health and sustainability of these important bird populations across the state.