Dove Hunting in the City

Camo gear, check. Hunting dogs, check. Shotguns, check. Hunting the symbol of peace within the city limits of one of the fastest growing cities in Texas, check.

One shouldn't expect "Hunt ... in the City" to become Frisco's new motto, but it easily could be as the city allows dove hunting within the city limits and just a couple hundred yards from residences.

Starting Wednesday, more than 13,000 acres of land in Frisco, nearly 1/3 of the acreage of the city, will be available to dove hunters. With that much land area open to hunting, many residents will be able to watch hunters from their front porch.

"It's a shotgun, so from that distance, it's not going to be a dangerous thing, like a deer-hunting rifle might be," said Bill Sherman, of Frisco.

It's not the Wild West, though, and there are rules. Those rules are spelled out in Texas Senate Bill 1742 which states which types of weapons can be fired on annexed land after Sept. 1, 1981.

"A shotgun, air rifle or pistol, BB gun, or bow and arrow can be discharged on a property that was annexed after 9/01/1981 and is: 10 acres or more, and more than: 1) 1000 ft from any public land, school, day care or hospital. 2) 600 ft from any residential subdivision and multifamily residential complex. 3) 150 ft from a residence or occupied building on another property.
A center fire or rim fire or pistol can be discharged on a property that was annexed after 9/01/1981 and is: 50 acres or more, and more than: 1) 1000 ft from any public land, school, day care or hospital. 2) 600 ft from any residential subdivision and multifamily residential complex. 3) 300 ft from a residence or occupied building on another property.

Be sure to have a valid hunting license, too. Game wardens will be in the area making sure hunters follow the rules.