NC Mourning Dove Hunting Guide

Also known as: Carolina dove, Turtle dove

Scientific Name:Zenaida macrouraClassification:Game SpeciesAbundance:Common throughout state In the early mornings of late January and early February, mourning doves in North Carolina begin cooing and making their circling courtship flights. Mourning doves, often seen migrating in large flocks, begin to break up and form pairs. Named for their long tails and melancholy bird call, mourning doves have been classified as a game bird by the federal government and 39 states, including North Carolina. The mourning dove has a thin, delicate-looking bill, a neat head, and a long, graduated tail bordered with large white spots. The colors of the female are duller than the gray-brown adult males. At close range, adult males can be distinguished by purple-pink iridescent feathers on the neck and light pink on the breast. The upper part of the throat is whitish. Legs and feet are dull red or purplish red. Includes mourning and white-winged dove Migratory Game Birds Regulations Dove Hunting in North Carolina (summary of regulations and safety tips) Interactive Game Land Map with Dove Fields Mourning Dove species profile(PDF) 2011-12 Survey of Dove Hunters in North Carolina(PDF- 1.02 MB) Mourning Dove National Harvest Plan(PDF - 1.20MB) Wildlife Science: Mourning Dove Banding(YouTube Video) Please report all bands online atwww.reportband.gov. We rely heavily on your cooperation in reporting banded birds to help in their management, and we would like to thank you for your continued support in this effort.

Habitat & Range

The mourning dove has a thin, delicate-looking bill, a neat head, and a long, graduated tail bordered with large white spots. The colors of the female are duller than the gray-brown adult males. At close range, adult males can be distinguished by purple-pink iridescent feathers on the neck and light pink on the breast. The upper part of the throat is whitish. Legs and feet are dull red or purplish red.

Hunting Season

Sept 1 – Oct 4; Nov 8 – Nov 29; Dec 16 – Jan 31. (Three segments).

References

• North Carolina — Mourning Dove