Texas dove hunters would get an additional 20 days this fall under proposed changes to the 2016-17 Statewide Hunting Proclamation for Migratory Game Birds up for public comment. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has approved a 90-day Texas dove season, the longest in 80 years. In addition, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is recommending a later opener for duck hunting, with a shorter break between splits for the North Duck Zone and a later overall season in the South Duck Zone. Under new federal guidelines, Texas is now able to present proposed migratory game bird regulation changes earlier in the year than previously allowed. This means the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission can adopt dove and waterfowl hunting seasons at its March 24 public hearing, giving hunters more time to plan trips afield. TPWD staff proposes to integrate the additional 20 dove hunting days early in the season to take advantage of migrating birds. The traditional September 1 dove season opening day in the North and Central Zones would remain, while the South Zone would open Sept. 23. The first segment in the North and South zones would extend through Nov. 13, while the Central Zone would run until Nov. 6. The season would reopen statewide Dec. 17 and run through Jan. 1, 2017 in the North Zone, Jan. 8, 2017 in the Central Zone and Jan. 23, 2017 in the South Zone.