New York › Species › Mourning Dove
No season
Mourning Dove in New York: no open season
Mourning doves are not hunted in New York; here is why.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain)
Looking for a dove hunt in New York? None exists in 2026-27, and the reasons below come straight from DEC sources.
Mourning Dove in the DEC summary
- Bag: No season
- Notes: Not a game bird in NY.
DEC guide page (as of Aug 25, 2026), checked October 27, 2026.
What the rules say about mourning doves
- Mourning doves are federal migratory game birds but are not game birds under New York law; no season.
- No season in New York.
Fine and term: General Fish and Wildlife Law violations: Violation: up to 15 days and/or up to $250 (ECL 71-0923(1)), plus schedule penalties of $200 + $100 per animal (71-0925(1)).
DEC guide, DEC guide, ECL on the NY Senate site, checked October 27, 2026.
Mourning Dove calendar by zone and method
These are the 2026-27 dove rows; refuges, Fort Drum and state parks can add their own permits.
| Segment | Where | Units | Legal methods | First day | Last day | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No season | Statewide | – | Not offered |
What the dove rows add
- Mourning doves are federal migratory game birds but are not game birds under New York law; no season.
From DEC guide page, checked October 27, 2026.
Closed species list with mourning doves
| Species | Rule |
|---|---|
| All wildlife not listed as game or unprotected (songbirds, hawks, owls, endangered species) | Fully protected; may not be taken. |
| Gray wolf | Endangered in NY; very rare (3 confirmed in 25 years incl. one shot by a coyote hunter in 2021). Canines over 4.5 ft/50 lb in traps: call DEC law enforcement before dispatching. |
| Spruce grouse | Endangered; occurs in WMUs 5C, 5F, 6F, 6J; do not confuse with ruffed grouse. |
| Bear cubs, bears in groups, denned bears (Southern Zone) | May not be shot in the Southern Zone; bear under 1 year illegal (ECL 71-0921(2)). |
| Native snakes, lizards and salamanders; all turtles except snapping turtle; diamondback terrapin | No take or possession. |
| Northern cricket frog and eastern spadefoot toad; leopard frogs in 1A, 1C, 2A | No take. |
| Clapper and king rails | Closed. |
| Mourning dove, sandhill crane, swans | No season in New York. |
| Moose, elk, caribou | Big game with no open season; report moose sightings. |
| Eurasian boar and hybrids | Hunting, trapping or taking free-ranging boar is illegal (eradication program); report sightings. |
| Bald and golden eagles | ECL 11-0537; class B/A misdemeanor (ECL 71-0921(11)). |
From the DEC guide and ECL 11-0535 and 11-0537, checked October 27, 2026.
Huntable species related to mourning doves
| Species | Season | Where | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Woodcock | Hunting | Upstate New York and Long Island | Oct 1–Nov 14 |
| American Crow | Hunting | Upstate New York and Long Island | Sep 1–Mar 31 |
| Rock Pigeon | Unprotected | Statewide | Year-round |
| Wilson's Snipe | Hunting | Upstate New York | Sep 1–Nov 9 |
DEC guide, checked October 27, 2026.
Mourning Dove: common questions
What else can be hunted where mourning doves live?
American Woodcock, American Crow, Rock Pigeon and Wilson's Snipe; each has its own page with dates and limits.
Can mourning doves be taken on state land?
No public land is open for mourning doves; there is no season.
Where does this dove information come from?
DEC manages mourning doves; this page uses the 2026-27 guide and the Environmental Conservation Law, checked October 27, 2026.
Is dove hunting legal anywhere in New York?
Mourning doves are federal migratory game birds but are not game birds under New York law, so the state has no season.
Is there a lottery or permit for mourning doves?
None of the DEC licenses or special permits in the 2026-27 guide mentions mourning doves.
Which species share the no-season status?
Moose, Sandhill Crane, Clapper and King Rails, Eurasian Boar, Gray Wolf and Spruce Grouse; each has its own page here.
Are mourning doves protected in New York?
No season in New York. Mourning doves cannot be taken in any month.
Are mourning doves legal to hunt in New York?
No season is open. Mourning doves are federal migratory game birds but are not game birds under New York law; no season. No season in New York.
Is killing dove a crime in New York?
General Fish and Wildlife Law violations: Violation: up to 15 days and/or up to $250 (ECL 71-0923(1)), plus schedule penalties of $200 + $100 per animal (71-0925(1)).
How does the guide list mourning doves?
No season (Statewide).
Other photos on this page: aaron.michael_ebird (CC BY-SA 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); Alabama Extension (CC0 1.0); gurdonark (CC BY 2.0).