dove seasoned

Ernest Servantes of Burnt Bean Co. Barbecue and fellow pitmasters head down to south Texas to continue their annual tradition of dove hunting and BBQ brotherhood.

Dove hunting often marks the transition from summer to fall, serving as a communal event that brings people together in nature.

texas traditions

Texas is a state where we cherish roaming vast, open country. We love high-adventure sports, communing outdoors with friends and family, and cooking up (and devouring) mouthwatering meats. No wonder hunting — particularly dove hunting —is a preeminent Texan pastime.

Dove hunting is part of Texas’s deep heritage. While early settlers and explorers relied on doves as a source of food, hunting the migratory birds has evolved into a cherished pastime that is handed down through generations. Today, dove hunting is a beloved tradition, bringing together families and friends who continue to celebrate the natural beauty of Texas and its plentiful game. Spending time together under a vast Texas sky, sharing stories, and cooking your catch are how Texans celebrate this tradition, which is deeply rooted in the culture of the state. 

Indeed, hunting allows us to maintain a lasting connection to the rich and abundant land that has provided for generations of Texans. Besides this, dove hunting is a heck of a good time.

Take it from South Texas native and award-winning “Pope of BBQ” pitmaster Ernest Servantes, co-owner of Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin, who knows a thing or two about rustling up a perfect weekend in the Texas countryside.

“What’s so fun is the non-stop action. I just love the game of it, the intensity. It’s not like hunting deer, where you have to sit and wait until one comes by…doves are constant,” says Servantes, who grew up hunting on his family’s ranch near Crystal City, about a two-hour drive southwest from San Antonio. And as a bonafide top chef in the state (#1 ranked in Texas Monthly’s 2025 “The 50 Best BBQ Joints in Texas”), Servantes loves the exceptional variety of ways you can cook up a few dozen doves after a successful hunt.

“I can use them in different ways,” he says. “You only get about one ounce of meat per bird, so you need to work hard to get a lot and make the most out of them.”

After establishing himself in the Texas barbecue scene professionally, Servantes quickly discovered several other hunting enthusiasts among his new pitmaster connections. From there, Servantes teamed up with Eric Estrada of the neighboring Thompson Hunting Lodge and birthed the “Paloma Palooza.”

“For so many folks in the restaurant world, the only time we get to see each other is at festivals and competitions,” he explains. “Paloma Palooza is a way for us to network, hang out, and relax during some time off. We learn about each other and who we are as people, not just as pitmasters.”

What began as a humble hunting trip for a dozen or so has expanded to thirty of the best BBQ minds and industry insiders from across the state and beyond, convening for a three-day weekend of camaraderie, fun, and (for once) definitely not waking up at 3 a.m. to check on a brisket — all sponsored by Yuengling Beer.

the land

Kudos to you if your offset smoker skills are elite enough to earn you a spot on the highly exclusive Paloma Palooza guest list. For the rest of us backyard BBQ mortals, the Thompson Hunting Lodge thankfully has plenty of additional availability for all-inclusive private guided dove hunts, which are available for guests regardless of their level of experience. 

Across more than 15,000 acres of sprawling South Texas ranch land under wide open skies, the opportunities at spotting these migratory game birds seems endless. And the unbeatable Southern hospitality provided by the fourth-generation cattle rancher-owners is included, free of charge.

the land

Kudos to you if your offset smoker skills are elite enough to earn you a spot on the highly exclusive Paloma Palooza guest list. For the rest of us backyard BBQ mortals, the Thompson Hunting Lodge thankfully has plenty of additional availability for all-inclusive private guided dove hunts, which are available for guests regardless of their level of experience. 

Across more than 15,000 acres of sprawling South Texas ranch land under wide open skies, the opportunities at spotting these migratory game birds seems endless. And the unbeatable Southern hospitality provided by the fourth-generation cattle rancher-owners is included, free of charge.

the land

Kudos to you if your offset smoker skills are elite enough to earn you a spot on the highly exclusive Paloma Palooza guest list. For the rest of us backyard BBQ mortals, the Thompson Hunting Lodge thankfully has plenty of additional availability for all-inclusive private guided dove hunts, which are available for guests regardless of their level of experience. 

Across more than 15,000 acres of sprawling South Texas ranch land under wide open skies, the opportunities at spotting these migratory game birds seems endless. And the unbeatable Southern hospitality provided by the fourth-generation cattle rancher-owners is included, free of charge.

DOVE HUNTING 101

Ready to get in on the high-action hunting fun? Dove hunting has a considerably lower barrier to entry than many other popular game animals.

Hunting Season

In Texas, dove season runs for most of September and October, plus a small window around late December. Exact dates vary depending on region.

Where to Hunt

Mourning doves, as well as white-winged and white-tipped doves, migrate across much of the state every fall, but tend to be most prevalent in South and Central Texas. Open fields containing an accessible water source and plentiful seeds from a number of both native and cultivated crops are ideal for dove hunting. Privately owned operations cater to dove hunters in Texas, as well as a number of publicly available lands.

hunting safety

As with any hunting activity, safety is paramount. All hunters in Texas must obtain a license, which includes a mandatory hunter education course where you can learn about safe handling and operation, as well as group safely, which is a fairly common setting for dove hunting.

game management & cultivation

For dove populations to thrive and flourish, hunters must respect and follow all laws surrounding game management, such as legal daily bag limits and only hunting allowed game birds. Equally important is the cultivation of land with early successional species, such as annual sunflower, doveweed, and buffalobur, which provide food, cover, and nesting sites.

retrieving a bird

Responsible dove hunting begins with only shooting at birds above locations you’re confident you can retrieve them from. After a successful shot, it’s important to watch their full descent to the ground and note a visible marker of some kind for reference, then set off to retrieve immediately.

Gear Basics

  • Camouflage:
    Doves have fantastic vision, so it’s paramount that your clothes are appropriately camouflaged for the environment.
  • High-ankle sturdy boots:
    Rattlesnakes frequent much of the type of land where doves are hunted.
  • Long sleeves and full-length pants:
    Important to help with camouflaging as well as protection from mosquitoes, poison ivy, and sunburn.
  • Ear protection:
    Earplugs or gun range earmuffs are essential for protecting your hearing from the close-range blasts of your own firearm and those of others.

dove dishes

You’ve had your first hunt, and now you’re ready to feast! Grab an ice-cold case of Yuengling Traditional Lager, Light Lager, or Flight by Yuengling to pair with whichever way you serve up your birds.

dove breast marinade tour

Hopefully your crew bagged enough birds that you can try an assortment of exciting marinades across the plentiful dark-meat breasts. Vinegar, BBQ sauce, salt and pepper, soy sauce, honey, beer, red wine, garlic, Dr. Pepper — the options and combinations are endless. Experimenting is half the fun.

bacon-wrapped and stuffed with cream cheese

Baked or barbecued, dove prepared this way makes a Texas classic that’s hard to screwup.

fried buttermilk dove bites

A favorite of Ernest Servantes’ kids, buttermilk deep-fry the dove, and don’t forget ample sauce options for dipping, just as you would with chicken wings.  

Like other seasonal traditions celebrated across this diverse state, dove hunting ultimately culminates in friends, family, and community gathering around the table. Enjoying camaraderie and fun in the outdoors, honing skills both in the field and the kitchen, and sharing the fruit of the land together with a refreshing beer like Yuengling Lager only sweetens the experience.