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

Garry and all glad you got out!!! I did as well but it was terrible here in Northern California. The weather turned and they all headed South!!


Thanks all for sharing your pics!! Beautiful guns and Barn Finds!!!


Bobby

First bird of the 23-24 season. DHE repro 26" M/IC. Ended up with 11, but should have shot better.

https://i.imgur.com/QFeyuZL.jpg

David, Thanks for sharing your first shot with that great gun. Good luck with the rest of your season.

Got out for the first time here in West Texas last nite . I lasted about 1 hour and 15 minutes in 107 degree temp. Birds are good. Managed to get seven. I'm going to try again tomorrow morning.
Bob Jurewicz

Yikes! 107…the birds would be cooked before you get home.

Got a couple of hours of hunting in this AM before it got too hot. Even made a new friend who stayed with me for about 15 minutes.

Thanks for posting photos, Bob. I really like seeing photos of hunts, especially from places I’ve never been.

Opening day in Northern Nevada was a success with a full limit of 15 birds. The weather was perfect with temps in the high 70's. My Fox 16ga did its job and my hunting partner Pearl was spot on.

Pearl looks like she likes the camera! Thanks for posting.

I had to get Pearl upright and doctor the contrast some so we could see her face better. She's a cutie.

Thank you for doing that. Pearl is a sweet girl that loves hunting and she always puts on her "serious" face when the camera comes out.

Hey, that gun looks familiar ;-)

Our opener here in Florida was yesterday Sat. Sept.23rd..What a day it was flock after flock pouring in to the fields.Started out shooting a VH 12ga until the lever locked open in full right position.Barrels and gun would close but lever won't go to center.Had to with over to a Browning 410ga lighting that I got recently.It wasn't all bad as the 410 was great handling and easily knocking whitewings down one after another.

Mark with Lefever 16ga

Andy S. some of you might recognize from NY shows.He was shooting a 12ga English gun of some sorts.Limited early with morning and whitewings.BAg of doves.

Saved the best for last Joel with two nephews out for the day and showing them a real great time.

This last photo is my favorite. Thanks for your post.

.410s ........ YEAHHH! You go, boy!

Hmmmmm...Let's see; Browning Superposed .410 as a backup gun for doves...must have been a living hell! I hope it was a 28" M&F. Supers Rule!!

Saturday was our 2nd hunt of the season and didn't dissappoint.Other than it rained all afternoon but the birds didn't seem to mind.

Few others from the group notice they're all wet clients and the birds.

Bob, thanks for posting your soggy birds. Our birds have been gone for weeks. Nice to know where they went.:)

Pretty funny when you have to clean your birds off before you clean them.