Dove Opener -- Photos?
 

Elaine and I opened the dove season yesterday, setting up at a local WMA early (5:00 am) to get a prime spot. Only one other group of hunters on this particular sunflower field(!) A gorgeous weather day -- 53 degrees at sunrise after walking in under the Super Moon, and only 80 for the afternoon hunt where I had the field to myself and walked birds up.

Anyone have any photos to share of their opening day?

nice looking place to hunt....charlie

DOVE OPENING DAY MISSED
 

I loaded up two guns, a CE Fox 12 M/M that had been away for over a year as well as a rescued Parker VH 12 with perfect IC/IM chokes. Put my decoys and four boxes of shells into the truck. Had everything ready to go by 10:30 and then my wife called. She said there was a house a little over a half-mile away selling everything, including some old cars. Well, that got my interest, and I went looking for guns. In the garage was a 70 LeMans convertible, a 56 Plymouth, and this dusty 37 Ford Humpback Street Rod. Long story short, I never made to dove hunt as it took all day to get it out with my son's help. The first opening day dove hunt I think I have ever missed since I was twelve. The 31 x 18.5-15 tires, brand new, had rotted. All four tires were flat. But like old Parkers, I see beauty in what others don't touch. It has a 400 C.I. Chevy, auto trans, air, 9" Ford rear, and a lot of dirt that came off. Murch harder to restore to usable condition than a double gun. But all good things take time. My wife will probably never call me again about a sale. Also bought a large car hauler while I was at it! Charlie, I know you will appreciate this one.

Looks like you bagged your limit to me. Nice “hunt.”

see sure cleaned up good....I bet she was the pride and joy of the former owner...shes got some good parts to work with....do you plan to keep her I would a 37 ford humpback is a rare bird these days....luckey man.....I m glad you missed your dove hunt........charlie

Nice find Jerry, that was worth missing the dove opener

Nice pictures Gary, I’ve never hunted dove much before lunch, that was just when it always started, although our rules have changed. 1/2 hour before sunrise until sunset

Jerry, did you just wash that truck and bring it back to that condition? How is the interior and does it still run?

Stan, thanks for sharing the photo! Morning is much better on our public WMAs. It's also cooler.

I used the Dickson Round Action after I put my Trojan away. It's better for walk-up birds (which I enjoy more than sitting over a spinning wing decoy.

Daryl,

The photos are just after washing the dirt off of the as found condition, using only a rag and water. Sitting for nineteen years all four brakes have rusted in place so we had to winch and drag it out. The massive 31 inch tall by 18-inch-wide tires took hours to get off the car as they were flat and in the dirt. The steering would not turn; tires on the front flat and sunken in the dirt. The old fellow (younger than me I think) had parked the three cars and did nothing to them. He vowed to not sell them in his lifetime. I will get the brakes unlocked, new expensive replacement tires, and get it cranked. The inside was like the day he parked and in good shape. A true "barn-find" thanks to a call from my wife that she regrets.

Did not mean to hijack this thread but thought these were unusual opening day photos and story. I hope to dove hunt in the morning (VA opening day is always at 12 p.m.).

We got an invitation at the last minute and it was a good one. I got 8 but a good number of the group got limits. I shot a VH 28 which did well when I did my part