Legal Guide · Doves
Can you hunt doves with an air rifle?
By James · Updated September 24, 2026 · Editorial policy
This page is legal information, not legal advice. It's built from the federal regulation text and California's Title 14 regulations, linked in Sources. Rules change and vary by state, so confirm with your state wildlife agency before hunting. Full methodology & editorial policy →
Why the species matters more than the gun
"Dove hunting with an air rifle" is really two different questions, because the doves you see in a Southern California backyard aren't all the same bird under the law:
| Bird | Legal status | Air rifle legal? | California season & limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mourning dove | Native migratory game bird (federal + state rules) | No: shotgun, archery, falconry only | Sept 1–15 and a late season; 15/day combined with white-winged |
| White-winged dove | Native migratory game bird | No | Same seasons as mourning doves |
| Eurasian collared dove | Non-native, not federally protected | Yes in California (14 CCR §311(f)) | All year, no bag or possession limit |
| Spotted dove / ringed turtle-dove | Non-native; California sets seasons | Check current CA regs | Seasons listed in 14 CCR §300 |
| Feral rock pigeon | Non-native, not federally protected | Depends on state and city rules | Check local ordinances |
The federal rule, in plain English
Federal migratory bird regulations list the methods you can't use on migratory game birds. That list includes any rifle and any pistol (50 CFR 20.21(a)). What's left is a shotgun no larger than 10 gauge that can't hold more than three shells, plus archery and falconry. An air rifle is a rifle for this purpose. No state regulation can make a federally prohibited method legal.
Telling them apart before the shot
- Eurasian collared dove: bigger and chunkier, pale gray-buff, with a black half-collar on the back of the neck and a square-ended tail with white edges.
- Mourning dove: slimmer and browner, with a long pointed tail, black spots on the wings, and no collar.
- The rule: if you can't see the collar through the scope, don't shoot. A 4K scope cam makes the ID easy to confirm afterward, but the call has to happen before the shot.
If you film your hunts, say the species
If you post hunting videos, name the species on camera and in the title ("Eurasian collared dove", not just "dove"). It keeps viewers from copying you on the wrong bird, and it's the honest way to present a legal hunt. The doves in my videos are Eurasian collared doves.
Eurasian collared doves with the FX Impact M4, through the scope.
How I hunt them, start to finish: the collared dove hunting guide.
Energy and shot placement for collared doves
Collared doves are bigger than mourning doves and tougher than they look. I treat them like rabbits: 12+ FPE at the bird, with a head shot or upper-chest shot. The numbers are in the airgun FPE chart, and the rifle side is in the caliber guide.
FAQ
Can you hunt mourning doves with an air rifle?
No. Mourning doves are migratory game birds, and federal rules (50 CFR 20.21) prohibit taking migratory game birds with a rifle or pistol. Legal methods are a shotgun no larger than 10 gauge holding no more than three shells, archery, and falconry. States can't loosen that.
Can you shoot Eurasian collared doves with a pellet gun?
In California, yes, with a valid hunting license. Eurasian collared doves are non-native, California lists them with an all-year season and no bag or possession limit (14 CCR §300), and air rifles are an authorized method for resident small game (14 CCR §311(f)). Other states set their own rules, so check before you hunt.
How do you tell a Eurasian collared dove from a mourning dove?
Collared doves are bigger and paler gray-buff, with a black half-collar on the back of the neck and a square-ended tail. Mourning doves are slimmer and browner, with a long pointed tail, black spots on the wings, and no collar. If you can't see the collar, don't shoot.
Are pigeons legal to shoot with an air rifle?
Feral rock pigeons are non-native and aren't protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but state and city rules still apply, including discharge ordinances. Check local law and get landowner permission.
What about white-winged, spotted, and ringed turtle doves?
White-winged doves are migratory game birds, so the same federal method rules as mourning doves apply. California sets its own seasons for spotted doves and ringed turtle-doves, so confirm the current regulations before targeting them.
Sources
- 50 CFR §20.21 — What hunting methods are illegal? (migratory game birds)
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service — Information for dove hunters
- Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14, §300 — upland game bird seasons and limits (Cornell LII)
- Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14, §311 — methods authorized for resident small game (Cornell LII)
- California Fish and Game Commission — current upland game bird regulations
Keep reading
Eurasian Collared Dove Hunting With an Air Rifle
ID, legality, energy, shot placement, where to find them, and how I hunt them with slugs.
Read the guide →How Much FPE Do You Need? Airgun Energy Chart
Foot-pounds by quarry, plus FPE-by-velocity tables for .177, .22 and .25.
See the chart →FX Impact M4 vs Texan .257: Accuracy Beat Power
The dove hunt where the big rifle's valve failed and the .22 carried the whole hunt, misses included.
Read the report →