TWRA: Dove season opens Sept. 1, Labor Day marks final holiday boating weekend

NASHVILLE — The Labor Day holiday, the final major weekend of the 2024 summer boating season, is Aug. 31-Sept. 2. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency issues a reminder to wear life jackets and for boating in a safe and responsible manner. 

The TWRA wants all those who visit the waterways to have an enjoyable time. However, TWRA officers will be on the waterways looking for dangerous boating behavior, such as boating under the influence (BUI) and other reckless operation. 

“As you head out to one of our beautiful lakes or rivers this Labor Day weekend, please keep common sense and safety in mind,” said TWRA Lt. Col Matt Majors. “Our waterways are some of the best in the country, and it is our responsibility to keep them safe and enjoyable for everyone.”

Children under age 12 are required to wear a life jacket. In addition, there must also be a life jacket onboard the vessel for each person. 

Labor Day is regarded as the third major holiday weekend of the summer boating season. There was one fatality over Memorial Day weekend and two during the July 4th holiday period. There have been 16 boating-related fatalities compared to 20 at the same time in 2023.

NASHVILLE — Tennessee’s dove season opens Sept. 1 at noon (local time) and is one of the state’s most long-standing outdoor sports traditions. This year’s opening day falls on a Sunday over the Labor Day weekend.

Tennessee’s dove season is once again divided into three segments: Sept. 1-Sept. 28; Oct. 12-Nov. 3; and Dec. 8-Jan. 15, 2025. Hunting times, other than opening day, are one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Doves are found throughout the various regions in the state, but the highest concentration is in farming areas. The hunter must have a valid state hunting license and Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit at all times while hunting. Hunters must have landowner’s permission to hunt on private land.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency manages dove hunting fields in each of the four regions. For more information and location of fields visit https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/twra/hunting/migratory-birds/dove.html#fields.

The daily bag limit for mourning doves is 15. There is no limit on collared doves. Doves not readily identifiable as collared doves will be considered mourning doves and will count toward the mourning dove daily bag limit. No person shall take migratory game birds by the aid of baiting, or on any baited area. Any auto-loading or repeating shotgun must be incapable of holding more than three shells while being used for dove hunting. 

In addition to the start of dove season, the early season for Canada geese, brant, blue, snow, and Ross’ Geese (light geese) also starts on Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 22. Refer to the 2024-25 Tennessee Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Guide for daily bag limits.

Other hunting seasons that open Sept. 1 are moorhens, gallinules, and rails (Virginia and sora) with a closure on Nov. 9. The Tennessee Migratory Bird Permit is also required to hunt these species.

A short crow hunting season overlaps with the opening week of dove season, Sept. 1-5. It will resume Sept. 13 through Dec. 20 and hunting is allowed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only in this segment.  

More information on Tennessee’s dove and other migratory birds can be found on the TWRA website (www.tnwildlife.org) in the Hunting section. The 2024-25 Tennessee Fishing, Hunting & Trapping Guide can also be viewed on the website, the TWRA App, or a copy may be obtained at any TWRA regional office or license vendor.

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