TWRA Seeking Dove Season Leases

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is seeking fields to lease for the upcoming 2026 dove hunting season. The first segment of dove season opens at noon  Tuesday, September 1st.           

Landowners can earn up to $4,200 for providing a dove field for public hunting.  These fields must be available for a minimum of three priority hunt dates in September.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency began its leased dove field program in the late 1980s, and the program has been very successful in providing quality hunting opportunities for hunters. In addition to leased fields, many public dove fields are provided on wildlife management areas in each TWRA region.

The standard fall leased field is a harvested grain field to which TWRA leases the hunting rights for three priority dates. The hunting access rate paid to landowners for fall leased fields may be up to $75 per acre for a maximum of 40 acres. Fields that are top-sown with wheat are eligible for an additional $30 per acre. Interested landowners must register their fields in August.

Anyone interested in leasing a dove field to TWRA should contact their regional office. Offices can be reached between the hours of 8am and 4:30pm, our local office is Region II (Middle Tennessee) 615-781-6622 or toll-free 800-624-7406.