California Dove Season: Dates, Bag Limits and Legal Loads

Opening morning in the Valley is a ritual: coffee in the dark, a collapsible stool, a gallon of water, and a box of shells you hope is the right one. Most first-timers get the date right and the ammo wrong. California has required non-lead ammunition for taking any wildlife with a firearm since 2019. Dove season is not an exception.

When you can hunt

For the 2026–27 season, CDFW lists mourning dove and white-winged dove statewide September 1–15, then a late split November 14–December 28. Daily bag is 15, of which no more than 10 may be white-winged. Possession is triple the daily bag. Spotted dove, ringed turtle dove, and Eurasian collared-dove have no bag limit. Legal shooting time is one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Always confirm current dates and bag limits on CDFW Upland Game Birds before you go. Regulations can change.

The shell that keeps you legal

Under AB 711, non-lead ammo is required statewide when you take wildlife with a firearm — private ground included. For doves that means steel, bismuth, or tungsten. Lead 7½s in the vest from last decade will get you cited.

Steel dove loads are what most Valley hunters actually shoot: 12-gauge 2¾" around 1 oz of #6 or #7 steel, or 20-gauge 2¾" ⅞ oz #6. Steel is lighter than lead, so you step one shot size larger than the old lead #7½ or #8 you grew up with. Improved cylinder or modified — steel patterns tighter than lead, so don't choke down to full.

• 12 ga, 2¾", #6 steel — the opening-day box. Kent Steel Dove is built for this.
• 12 ga, 2¾", #7 steel — Federal Top Gun Steel and Fiocchi Steel Target. Cheap to train with, legal to hunt with.
• 20 ga, 2¾", #6 steel — Kent Steel Dove 20 gauge if that's the gun you carry.

What else you need besides shells

A valid California hunting license, HIP validation (free, but if you skip it you're hunting illegally), and a plugged shotgun (max three in the gun). Bring water, sun, and more shells than you think. Opening-day doves are fast and the first hour burns a box.

Pickup in Turlock: order steel dove loads on this shop, grab them at Alquist Arms, 1400 Freitas Park, before you roll south or west in the dark.

This guide is for hunters shopping Alquist Warehouse. It is not legal advice. Season dates, bag limits, and non-lead rules are set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Verify before you hunt: Nonlead ammunition. Updated October 5, 2026.