Central VA Dove Opener 9/1/19

[CraigThompson]

Brought a pair Parker VH 16 gauge 0 frame 26” and Parker VH 16 gauge 1 frame 28” . Also two Mojo Voodo decoys and four regular Mojo decoys . Exactly 300 yards from the front door of my house . Took my ATV thru the neighbors pasture field parked on the edge , took my stuff across a small creek and setup perhaps fifty yards into a chopped cornfield !

[CraigThompson]

Brought one box handloaded #9’s two boxes WIN factory #8’s and two boxes factory REM 7 1/2’s . Hopefully what I shoot if I shoot can be taken care of with the #9’s :cool:

[CraigThompson]

Well 45 minutes and I’ve not fired the gun . I’ve seen maybe four but none close enough for me to risk a shot ( to many years of trap and skeet I keep an average on everything OMG). Guys on the other side of the field shot quite a bit the first twenty minutes , sounded like they were using unplugged semi’s LOL’s !

[CraigThompson]

One hour and forty five minutes and still not fired the gun !

[CraigThompson]

On the bright side and yes it’s bright out here today . A breeze is blowing so it’s rather nice sitting here !

[Victor Wasylyna]

Perhaps the smartphone use is spooking the doves?

-Victor

[CraigThompson]

Perhaps the smartphone use is spooking the doves?

-Victor

Such is life !

[CraigThompson]

Just shot a double with the 0 frame ! First double on dove I’ve had in awhile ! So far three with three shots .

[CraigThompson]

Wasn’t great but not horrendous either five with twelve shots .

[CraigThompson]

My chariot loaded up ready to head back to the house

[CraigThompson]

Back in the same field today 9/3/19 but moved a bit . Also took a new to me Parker VHE 12 gauge 1 1/2 frame with 26” factory cylinder and improved cylinder chokes .

[CraigThompson]

The gun I have today arrived USPS about two hours before I got in the field !

[CraigThompson]

Using factory WIN 1 1/8 ounce #7 1/2 .

[CraigThompson]

The heavy stuff ! I normally shoot an ounce in the 12 but these were the first I grabbed off my shelf .

[CraigThompson]

Believe it or not I just shot a double with the 12 and then missed two shots . Typical I suppose !

[CraigThompson]

Ended with 6 and it took 18 shots also couldn’t find two and I knocked feathers out of two more that kept on sailing . Think I’ll give her a try again tomorrow with my 16 gauge 0 frame .