Dove season may be a lesser recognized season, with more attention going to deer or turkey, but for many it is a keen to a national holiday. This high status is largely due to often being the first hunting season to open in many parts of the country, a sneak peak at what is to come. But whether a new dove hunter enters the sport because they love wing shooting or simply love shooting and it is the only game in town the end result is often the same – a lifelong love affair. If you are one of those new hunters let me share a few tips to help you make the most of your time afield.
- Advance Scouting is Key – when you are not hunting doves they appear to be everywhere, on every fence row, every power line. But come opening day many of those “hot spots” quickly dry up and leave you empty handed. The key is to scout and pattern doves in the same manner you would any other game species. The ideal hunting location, on which is most likely to hold doves on a routine schedule, will include everything a dove is looking for – trees, water source, food source, graveling spot and somewhere to roost.
- Have the Proper Gun & Load – as with any hunting scenario it is highly unlikely you will be successful if you use a gun or load that is not up to the task. Doves are small, fast and difficult to hit so you also need to be prepared to shot a lot. The ideal shotgun is a 20, 26 or 12 gauge autoloader equipped with 71/2 to 9 size shot – I prefer a 12 gauge with 7 ½ but the other models will get the job done. Even though you will be limited to 3 shots, due to federal regulations, an autoloader will allow for faster, smoother follow up shots.
- Eyes see you – dove have extremely sharp eyesight and will flare at the first sign of anything they perceive as an intruder. As with most hunting situations wearing the proper camouflage is your best defense against the dove’s keen eyesight and you choice of camouflage should match the surrounding vegetation as closely as possible. Some hunters will build a blind from local natural material but a commercial blind is generally not recommended as most include a roof which limits your field of fire.
- Decoys Bring in Birds – like turkeys, waterfowl and other game birds doves as social animals and often flock during feeding. This means that a few well placed, life like decoys can make all the difference. The best place for decoy placement is near your hide, as it will bring birds not only into range but as close as possible. Remember to place all decoys facing into the wind to mimic the dove’s natural movements.
- What Until You See the White of Their Wings – due to their size and speed doves can be a challenging shot, obviously the closer the birds are the better your chances for success. The ideal shot on a dove will be within 30 yards, to your front and unobstructed. Set yourself in a position with limits the ability of the doves to pass directly overhead as this is the most difficult shot to make successfully.
Good luck, good hunting!
