If you were impressed by last year's dove turnout, this season's forecast is even better. White-winged dove numbers continue to soar, and mourning dove numbers are expected to be above average. 

Our extended 90-day season continues, with opening day beginning half-an-hour before sunrise on Sept. 1 in the North and Central Zones. The South Zone also opens on Sept. 1 due to Special White-Winged Dove Days, with shooting hours noon to sunset. The South Zone regular season opens on Sept. 14, a week earlier than in previous years. The daily bag limit for all zones is 15. Refer to this season's Outdoor Annual for details.

It's always a good idea to look over the dove identifier so you know which birds to avoid. You'll find it and all your need-to-know on the Dove Season Checklist. See you out there!

New for the 2018-2019 hunting season:

• South Dove Zone will open Sept. 14, a week earlier than in previous years
• A 9-day mule deer general season (no archery season) is opening in Lynn County
• The daily bag limit for pintails will be increased to 2
• The 2019 Eastern turkey season will open April 22, later than last year. Also, turkey season in Upshur and San Augustine counties has been closed. 

Check the current Outdoor Annual for all the regulation changes and other need-to-know information, including that everyone born after Sept. 1, 1971 must carry proof of Hunter Education while hunting. If you misplace your card, you can print a replacement at no cost. Keep that proof in your pocket!

Looking for a new place to hunt? Check out the 1 million acres of walk-in hunting lands available to you with a $48 Annual Public Hunting Permit. These are quality TPWD sites or acreage we've leased for you, for year-round hunting and fishing. 

To find a new hunting spot, do a search by area or type of game. For the most up-to-date information on availability of public lands, follow us on Facebook.

Annual Public Hunting Permit holders are also exclusively eligible to apply for 2 types of Drawn Hunts: E-postcard Hunts and US Forest Service Antlerless Deer Permits. Check the deadlines and apply today!

Nobody likes to miss a shot, especially when you're out in the field surrounded by your buddies. Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine got together with a shooting school and put together some easy exercises to hone your shotgun skills. Here are 4 basic tips:

1. Get to know your shotgun
2. Practice your gun mount
3. Stay focused on the target
4. Practice on sporting clays

The magazine also goes into detail about using sporting clays. This is an excellent way to improve your shotgun skills because they're airborne moving targets, just like birds on the wing. Good shotgun skills also help you make the safest shot possible. Safety first!

A mentored hunt is a combination workshop and hunt that introduces novices to hunting. 

We offer a rotating variety of workshops, and the cost is only $25, which covers the workshop and hunt for BOTH the novice and mentor. All participants need a valid hunting license and, if born after 9/1/71, completion of Hunter's Education or a one-time deferral. 

Take these 4 steps to participate:

1. Find a workshop that's right for you 
2. Register by phone
3. Attend the workshop and pay the fee
4. Go on your hunt

Mentored hunts take place at state parks and wildlife management areas and are very popular. If you're interested, register right away.

The Nilgai Antelope Safari is our newest Big Time Texas Hunt (BTTH). If you win this one, you and a friend will hunt Nilgai bulls, which can grow to 700 lbs. Like all BTTH hunts, you'll also have a professional guide, as well as food and lodging. Nilgai are a challenge in the field and delicious on the table, so make this hunt one of your entries.

BTTH offers 9 other hunt packages, including an Exotic Safari (video). Each entry is only $9. There's sure to be one that's your dream hunt, so enter by Oct. 15. 

And since you're feeling lucky, go ahead and enter the Lifetime License Drawing for 3 chances to win a Super Combo Lifetime License worth $1,800. Each entry is only $5. Enter today!