I want to go dove hunting this year and I'm thinking about getting an APH permit and trying some of the TPWD public land around the DFW area. I'd probably be able to go the first 2 days of the season which would be a Wednesday and Thursday.
My question is are these areas typically over-crowded with people during opening week on the weekdays? Are they worth the effort or should I look elsewhere?
Any advice would be appreciated!

Save your 50 and get a day lease for the same amount, over crowded, usually the fields have been cut way to early, and most of the fields I have hunted are in a no fly zone.

That has been my experience with the dove fields. If you get the aph, consider checking out some of the wma's, you may find a good spot away from the crowds.

Are you going to be able to hunt later, after the first two days?

If not, get on a lease.

If you are, get the permit. Yes, it can get crowded around the public places, but after the first week or two of the season, it thins out to nil. I never had a problem killing dove the last few years on public land.

Depending on where you're at I've got a good deal on a lease, if you're not close to me there are plenty of others on this forum that have leases open.

I've had mixed experiences... The TPWD field I hunted was waaaaay overgrown, so there wasn't many people hunting it- but after you shot the birds it was darn near impossible to find them. I resorted to walking them up and only shooting close birds. I'd buy the APH and let the first two weekends go to the fairweather guys... wait for the first cold front and then nail 'em!

What scooter said

ive been to some aph lands in the denton area and they arnt too overcrowded but its hard to find where the dove are!

Thanks for the replies! This will be my first time to dove hunt so I've still got a lot to learn.



I can go later on, just happen to be off work those days. A buddy told me that if you don't get out the first week of the season, its a lot tougher to find the birds. Dunno how true that is but that was partly why I want to go then.

Cboone22, I'm in Grand Prairie just outside of Dallas. Where's the lease your talking about? I'm gonna check around and see if I can find a reasonably priced lease in the area.

Thanks again!

every cold front should bring new birds... so if we get a good one after the first two weekends the hunting can even get better! Migrators are dumber than native birds.