Mourning doves are plain, gray wild pigeons known for their mournful calls. They are common visitors to bird feeders and are sporty game birds. The mourning dove is the most common of the three species of wild pigeons and doves in eastern North America. Nationwide, there are 10 species of pigeons and doves, and 289 species worldwide.
The mourning dove is a marvelously well-qualified game species. Doves are abundant, fly fast and are not particularly wary. They provide more shooting than any other game bird in the United States. Dove hunts have long been a Southern tradition, as a test of skill and a chance to spend time with friends. At one time, dove season was part of the celebration of the harvest. Today, dove hunts are a break from the daily routine, a primary goal for many hunters and a source of income for rural landowners. Dove season is the beginning of the fall hunting season and is a kind of hunting that emphasizes shooting skills and quick reactions rather than stalking and woodcraft.
Dove populations can quickly replenish numbers after heavy losses. This bulletin gives information on the habits and needs of doves and explains how to attract doves for hunting.