Dove season around the corner
 

Getting close and looking forward to getting out. We sure need it after all the stuff 2020 has thrown at us.

Here are some memories of past hunts. . . .

Very nice I've decided I'm going to make a concerted effort to do the first day with a Parker VH 0 frame 28 gauge most likely with #9 handloads pushed with Unique .

I might use a 28 myself, now that you mention it. This will be Harry's first dove hunt where he gets to shoot himself. He could use one Parker 28 and I could use the other.

Mills, you have discovered the "dove hunt system" of gun selection. Shoot the same gauge as your son so that you can borrow shells when you run out and he still has some. Harry might not think much of this system if he finds out that you are using it. Murphy

Right, and to prevent the hazard of mismatched shells in the wrong gun

Okay Craig, please tell us about your little 28 with the (early) 0-frame, the early butt plate with the spur and no visible Parker Bros. engraved on the frame sides a la Remington??





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It has Parker Bros engraved on the sides just the quality of that picture doesn't make it readily visible . The gun letters to 1904 I believe . Most likely the only one I'll ever own although I'd like a 1920's 00 frame with 28 or 26 inch barrels choked a bit more open . That 0 frame is full and full but I seem to shoot it pretty well .

This will probably come back to bite me , but I'm of the opinion if I can't get my 15 birds with two boxes of shells I don't deserve anymore .

Now with that being said I may go out the next time and not cut a feather with fifty shots :crying:

That is a good system.

If Harry is anything like his other parent, he will shoot the better part of a flat on his first hunt

23 days and a wake-up, Mills.

SRH

Definitely in count down mode now. Big decision is which gun

just close your eyes and get a armful of guns and ammo....don't get a pretty gun yull just set and admire it and miss a lot of chances to shoot a dove...charlie

several birds on the power line but still lots of room for more birds...crows are a problem right now I may have to go scare them off for good...charlie

The dove club we do deer damage control on has flocks coming in as one would expect in Colombia or Argentina !

Numbers seem to be up around here. That could change, though.

The way it is looking out here, I would be tickled just to see 15 birds:(

Snagged a GH 16 in the Morphy auction. With luck, maybe it will get here in time for opening day

This one?
Attachment 87217

No but I wish. Will post more about it when it comes

I’d have to say a 16 gauge is in my top three as most favorite gauges . I think first is a toss up between the 28 and 10 . I think I have about a dozen 16’s but only six are Parker’s . Had a very nice AH Fox A grade 16 I let go about three years ago . Kinda wish I had it back !

I suppose this Sunday I’ll get all the dove decoys out and make sure the VooDoo decoys have the batteries back in the battery packs .

It's Papa's 20 Trojan for opening day and most of the season. I may step up to Uncle Bill's 16 VH in October.

All of the posts and pictures got me excited to check the local dove fields. Checked a WMA just west of us and it appears the sunflowers will be ready. We saw a few dove, but did not venture into the fields. The Conservation Dept. will mow down a portion of the field next week. The ragweed is just as good for drawing the birds as the sunflowers. Have your Alegra-D handy...and your extra shells.

Some photos from this morning.

With only a week away from Dove season, I was surprised to find a Dove still sitting on a nest.

That's one of the more elaborate dove nests I've ever seen. Dove are like the energizer bunny -- they keep going, and going...

Neat photo.

Every year in Georgia we get to the field early morning (for an afternoon hunt) and set up a tent and a huge smoker. Put the ribs on and relax until lunchtime. Then shoot till dusk! I always bring my Remington 1100 just because I’m so antsy to shoot. Shells are cheap and that third shot can be a real life saver for someone as bad as me. 2 weeks away now...

Harry and I are debating which guns to use. Actually, which gauge. Since it is his first season, I am really looking forward to it.

Now there's a debate worth having -- no politics(!)

I wish we had that tradition here in Missouri, but for us it's rise up as early as possible and hope to find a good spot in one of the State planted fields. No lunch, just a bottle of water, bug spray and extra shotgun shells.

Save me a rib or two, Stefan.

Most all my friends that host dove hunts start at 2 and the field closes at 4:30. Doves start to feed in flocks around 5 PM. This way the field can be shot once a week for the season. Most of us are out with our limit in an hour or so leaving little pressure on the field. Bourbon thirty comes early on those days with a spread of food not found in the movie Tom Jones.

I’m not a bourbon drinker, but under those conditions, I believe I could give it a try.

When in Rome do as the Romans and when in Kentucky do as the Kentuckians :rotf:

The truth is most host have bourbon, single malt, gin, vodka, wine, beer and God Forbid water.

My drinking days are pretty much past so more than likely I’d avail myself to the water ! But a Tom Collins would be right on time after a hot couple hours in the dove field :whistle:

The guys passed their hunter safety course this past weekend. Mills is more interested in tractors, but Harry is locked and loaded for his first real hunting season where he gets to shoot

I know of a fellow who started his hunting career with a BB gun in his neighborhood shooting birds around bird feeders until folks got tired of it. He he he.

Gentlemen,

I have my 1911 Parker DH in 20 gauge w/ 28" bbls. for our dove opener here in IL tomorrow. A pad to lengthen the pull an inch and a cheek piece to raise the comb a bit and we're ready to go..!

A private farm pond tomorrow and then our IL State sunflower fields the next several. Then, the Bismuth shot will have to come out, I'm afraid? (No steel shot for the old gal..!)

We used to have great success on private sunflower fields in the past, but many think WNV has affected our dove populations here? It's still great to finally be outdoors.

Best of luck to you all this dove season - be safe - and have FUN...!

Wes

Sitting in the house (5:30 am) here in North Missouri listening to the storm outside. No dove opener this morning...but we really need the rain.