Dove season begins on Saturday, September 1. Hunters will take to the field at daybreak looking.
Wing shooting is my favorite form of hunting.
There’s often lots of shooting, and doves—darting, zigging and zagging in flight—are always a challenge to hit.
The national average kill is about three to five doves per box of 25 shells An excellent shot can double that rate, of course, but the average hunter really needs to take enough ammo to the field for a chance of getting a limit of 15 birds.
The birds can fly about 40 miles per hour so it pays to put as many odds as possible on your side. Start with your gun, which can be anywhere from a .410 down to a 12 gauge. Whatever you go with, it must be plugged to fire no more than three rounds since doves are migratory birds.
I would advise open chokes regardless of what you‘re shooting, and since there‘s always a chance for lots of shooting one of the smaller gauge guns might be a better choice, and easier on the shoulder.
My personal favorite for doves is a 20-gauge, semi-automatic with improved cylinder choke and shooting two and three quarter inch shells holding one ounce number 8 shot. I prefer an improved cylinder choke and, for shot size, I’ve used 7½ up to 9 in one to one-and-an-eighth ounce but have come to rely on No. 8 for local hunts.
Don’t try to reach out beyond 40 yards on your shots. Doves can be difficult to find in high grass and brush.
Dogs can help retrieve your dove but they may need your help locating it because they aren’t as dependable as in finding other game because doves don’t have much odor.
I usually use full-bodied decoys but am not sure they’re worth the effort. The battery-powered mojo decoys are a different story. They work pretty well because of their wing movement.
Doves like to come in for a drink before going to roost in the evening. The birds also like to get a good drink first thing after getting off the roost in the morning.
Get out and scout your hunting area before the hunt. Find the feeding spots, flying patterns, roosting area and, of course, their favorite watering holes.
It helps to pattern your shotgun (or to see the exact pattern your shot has at 30-35 yards). It gives you a good visual idea about effective range and where to shoot.
And, finally, doves are great eating so if you’re like me you’ll clean your birds immediately after the hunt and cook them on the grill that same evening.
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