Sport

Dove hunting in Buckeye

Buckeye sits at the edge of three Arizona Game and Fish wildlife areas that are actively farmed for dove forage. The September opener has been a local tradition for decades.

Dates, bag limits, and access rules change every year. The most current source is Arizona Game and Fish Department. The Chamber does not interpret regulations or issue licenses. The dates below are from the official 2025-2026 Arizona Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations. Verify the current season with AZGFD before you go.

Arizona dove seasons

All seasons listed are statewide. Source: AZGFD 2025-2026 Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon Regulations, Commission Order 19 and 20.

Early dove: September 1-15. Mourning and white-winged doves.
Late dove: November 21 - January 4. Mourning and white-winged doves.
Eurasian collared-dove: Year-round (September 1 - August 31). Unlimited daily bag and possession limit.
Band-tailed pigeon: September 26 - October 9. Daily bag 2, possession 6. Report bands at reportband.gov.

Bag limits and shooting hours

Daily bag limit

Mourning and white-winged doves combined. Hunters may take any combination that adds up to 15.

Possession limit

Total mourning + white-winged doves you may have on your person, in transit, at lodging, or at home.

Legal shooting hours

One-half hour before sunrise until sunset.

Sunrise/sunset tables for the season are published in the AZGFD regulations.

Licenses and stamps

Buy licenses online at azgfd.com/license or in person at AZGFD offices and license dealers.

Adults 18 and older: Arizona hunting license (or combination hunt/fish license) plus an Arizona migratory bird stamp.
Youth 10-17: Youth combination hunt/fish license only. The youth license is $5 and already includes the Arizona migratory bird stamp.
Falconers: Also need an Arizona falconry license (per R12-4-422), unless exempted under R12-4-407.
Eurasian collared-dove exception: No migratory bird stamp is required to take Eurasian collared-doves outside the regular dove seasons.

Where the local hunting happens

Three wildlife areas near Buckeye

All three are managed by Arizona Game and Fish. Crops are planted specifically to attract doves and other game birds.

Robbins Butte Wildlife Area

More than 1,600 acres, east and west of Highway 85 where it crosses the Gila River southwest of Buckeye. Actively farmed to support doves, quail, javelina, and mule deer. AZGFD plants wheat, barley, oats, and milo across more than 200 acres.

Youth-only restriction: Per the 2025-2026 regulations, a portion of Robbins Butte is limited to youth-only dove hunting from September 1 until the day after the youth-only hunt ends. The area is open to all hunters for the remainder of the season.

Access via Robbins Butte Game Road off Highway 85. From the I-10/Loop 101 junction: I-10 west ~20 miles, south on Highway 85 ~7.1 miles, right onto Robbins Butte Game Road.

AZGFD Robbins Butte page

Powers Butte Wildlife Area

More than 100 acres of planted game-bird forage on a volcanic rock knoll with panoramic views.

Access update: The agreement that allowed public access via Robbins Butte Game Road expired November 10, 2025, and the gate is closed. Arizona Game and Fish is working to establish new access arrangements. Check AZGFD before planning a Powers Butte hunt.

Arlington Wildlife Area

A quieter riparian zone roughly 15 miles southwest of Buckeye.

Field rules you have to follow

Excerpted from the AZGFD regulations. Not exhaustive - read the full rule pamphlet before opening day.

Do not shoot within 1/4 mile (440 yards) of an occupied structure unless you have the owner's permission.
Do not shoot from, across, or into roads or railways.
Do not consume drugs or alcohol while hunting or handling firearms.
Do not leave shotgun shells or other litter in the field.
Do not hunt over waters all day - leave time for livestock to access water.
Shotguns are limited to three shells total (one in the chamber, two in the magazine). If the gun holds more, it must be plugged.
Falconry, bow and arrow, and crossbow are legal methods. Pneumatic (air) weapons are legal ONLY on Eurasian collared-doves.
Leave one fully feathered wing attached to each bird until you reach your permanent residence or place where the bird will be consumed.
Keep individual hunters' limits separate from each other, in the field, in the cooler, and in transit.
Make a reasonable effort to retrieve all downed birds.
Check legs for bands. Report banded birds at reportband.gov.

Report poaching or hunting violations to Operation Game Thief: 800-352-0700.

For new and young hunters

Mentored youth dove hunts

Arizona Game and Fish runs free mentored dove hunts at Robbins Butte each September for youth ages 10-17 who can safely handle a shotgun. The hunts are organized in partnership with conservation groups including the National Wild Turkey Federation, Quail Unlimited, Youth Outdoors Unlimited, and Arizona Outdoor Sports. Mentors cover gun safety, bird identification, hunting tips, and field care.

AZGFD outdoor-skills programs