Dove season returns Tuesday, Sept. 1, bringing hunters from across Arizona to Buckeye’s agricultural fields and wildlife areas.
Buckeye has long been one of Arizona’s top dove-hunting destinations. The annual tradition supports local restaurants, hotels, gas stations, sporting goods stores and other businesses during the opening weeks of September.
Robbins Butte Wildlife Area is expected to be one of the busiest locations on opening morning. The 1,681-acre wildlife area sits along the Gila River, southwest of Buckeye and on both sides of State Route 85.
Arizona Game and Fish manages the area’s farmland to provide food and habitat for mourning doves, white-winged doves and other wildlife. Its mix of agricultural fields, mesquite, salt cedar and desert vegetation makes it a popular destination for hunters.
2026 season dates and limits
Arizona’s early dove season runs from Sept. 1 through Sept. 15. The late season will run from Nov. 20 through Jan. 3, 2027.
Hunters may take a combined total of 15 mourning and white-winged doves per day. The possession limit is 45 birds.
The statewide Eurasian collared-dove season runs from Sept. 1, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2027. There is no daily bag or possession limit for the invasive species.
Legal shooting hours run from 30 minutes before sunrise until sunset.
Complete dates, limits and hunting requirements are available in the 2026-27 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations.
Youth hunt set for Sept. 5
Arizona Game and Fish has scheduled a youth-only dove hunting opportunity Saturday, Sept. 5, at Robbins Butte.
The mentored hunt gives younger hunters an opportunity to learn firearm safety, bird identification, field skills and responsible hunting practices alongside experienced volunteers.
The youth-only fields are available to hunters age 17 and younger. Families should review the event information before arriving because registration, equipment and participation requirements may apply.
Experienced hunters interested in mentoring the next generation may also volunteer through the Arizona Game and Fish Outdoor Skills Network.
Check field closures before arriving
Hunters should review the current Robbins Butte map and all posted signs before selecting a location.
Designated portions of the wildlife area will be closed to general hunting from Sept. 1 until the Monday morning following the youth-only hunt. Arizona Game and Fish-sanctioned events are exempt from that temporary closure.
The restriction protects the youth hunting fields and allows organizers to prepare the area for the Sept. 5 event.
License requirements
Hunters age 18 and older must carry a valid Arizona hunting license, or combination hunting and fishing license, and an Arizona migratory bird stamp.
Hunters ages 10 through 17 only need a valid youth combination hunting and fishing license. The migratory bird stamp is included with that license.
Children younger than 10 may hunt without a license when accompanied by a licensed adult age 18 or older. One licensed adult may accompany no more than two unlicensed children.
Licenses and stamps can be purchased through the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
Know the rules
Arizona Game and Fish reminds hunters to follow several important safety and conservation requirements:
- Do not shoot within one-quarter mile, or 440 yards, of an occupied structure without permission.
- Never shoot from, across or into a road or railroad.
- Do not hunt over baited areas.
- Leave one fully feathered wing attached to each bird until reaching your home or the location where it will be consumed.
- Keep each hunter’s birds separate while in the field, inside coolers and during transportation.
- Make a reasonable effort to recover every downed bird.
- Respect private property, posted areas and closed gates.
- Pick up spent shotgun shells and other trash.
- Do not consume alcohol or drugs while hunting or handling firearms.
Shotguns used for migratory birds must be 10-gauge or smaller and cannot hold more than three shells. Additional restrictions may apply in certain wildlife areas.
Hunters who encounter a banded dove should report the band at ReportBand.gov.
Dove season remains more than a hunt for many Buckeye families. It is a tradition shared across generations and an opportunity to introduce younger residents to Arizona’s outdoors.
Additional information about hunting locations, licenses and regulations is available through Arizona Game and Fish.
