July 2025 TRFS Update

JULY HAS ARRIVED—AND THESE HOT PROPERTY UPDATES ARE MAKING WAVES!

NEW! BRP Ranch is a 132.56± acre South Texas property offering a premier hunting experience, diverse terrain, and multiple building sites with long-range views. Ideally located just south of the San Antonio River, this ranch combines recreational appeal with the opportunity to create a private retreat or homestead.

REDUCED! Lost Creek Ranch South is an extraordinary 290± acre Hill Country estate showcasing remarkable natural beauty, tranquility, and contemporary comfort. The property boasts dramatic elevation shifts from approximately 1,620'± to 1,920'± asl, delivering exceptional panoramic vistas in every direction. A beautifully updated rock ranch home, abundant wildlife, and a serene tributary of Cherry Creek, featuring multiple dammed areas, further elevate the ranch’s charm and functionality. An additional 82± acre high-fenced parcel is also available in conjunction with Lost Creek Ranch South.

JUST SOLD! Bar D Ranch is officially off the market! This ranch features gently rolling hills, panoramic views, and lush native grasses, this ranch is an outdoor paradise. The high-fenced property offers a well-maintained habitat supporting diverse wildlife such as whitetail deer, turkey, and dove. Hunting opportunities are plentiful, complemented by strategically placed blinds and feeders that align with the property.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST TEXAS DROUGHT CONDITIONS!

Rain is a good thing...we're praying it continues! Texas has seen recent rainfall which has helped the state avoid serious drought concerns. The state is experiencing a much lower percentage of exceptional drought conditions at 9.06%. Extreme drought conditions have also decreased to 14.61% statewide. Stay informed about current water conditions.

RANCH NEWS ARTICLES!

You can see the latest ranch news articles under “Resources” then go down to the “Ranch Articles” tab. The latest article discusses that Texas lawmakers have approved several bills that will impact farmers, ranchers, and rural Texans... Read more. These articles are also featured in our bi-weekly email newsletter.

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Dove Numbers Increase, Point to Positive Hunting Season

Dove numbers are looking good for this year’s hunting season

Dove numbers are looking good for this year’s hunting season. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) reports an abundance in both white-winged and mourning doves across the state.

“This year, we’re looking at a very promising forecast, probably a better than average season,” Owen Fitzsimmons, TPWD webless migratory game bird program leader, said. “Dove numbers are up this year compared to what we’ve seen the past few years. We’re looking at numbers overall that are kind of on par with what we saw back in 2014 to 2016, which were some of the better years that we’ve had in the past couple of decades.”

There was a 21% increase in mourning dove numbers statewide and a 4% increase in white-winged dove numbers.

“As long as the weather holds out, I think we’re looking really good this year. Populations are looking really strong,” Fitzsimmons said.

He noted the areas that suffered drought and storms were hit earlier this year, but they have seen a high hatch population.

“The Edwards Plateau and Trans Pecos had some pretty dry areas until some recent rains in July, and so some of those areas might’ve been hit a little bit hard with drought,” Fitzsimmons said. “There were a few localized areas that we heard of where some severe storms came through in the spring, and sometimes those severe storms can knock nests out of trees. But I think in June and July, we’ve seen a lot of hatch year production overall. We’re looking pretty strong just about everywhere.”

There are an estimated 34.3 million mourning doves in Texas this year, which is 24% above the long-term average and the third highest since TPWD began surveying in 2008.

TPWD estimates there are 12.8 million white-winged doves in Texas, which is the highest on record and up 17% from the long-term average.

“This year, there’s a lot of doves, so hunting season is going to be good,” Fitzsimmons said.

Eurasian collared-doves are invasive and can be hunted year-round in Texas and do not have any bag limits.

“The only thing that we advise is if you do shoot collared doves as part of your bag is to keep some kind of identifiable plumage, like a wing or something on those birds, so that the game wardens can tell that those are not part of your bag limit for native doves,” Fitzsimmons said.

There were no regulation changes for dove hunting this year.

The regular season for the north zone is Sept. 1-Nov. 12 and Dec. 15-31.

The regular season for the central zone is Sept. 1-Oct. 29 and Dec. 15-Jan. 14.

The south zone season dates are Sept. 14-Oct. 29 and Dec. 15-Jan. 21.

The special white-winged dove days are Sept. 1-3 and Sept. 8-10.

Hunters in Texas must have a valid Texas hunting license, a state migratory game bird endorsement (stamp) and must be Harvest Information Program (HIP) certified.

Hunting and fishing licenses are now on sale.

The bag limit remains 15 doves per day with no more than two white-tipped. The possession limit is three times the daily bag.