Dove limit in two states!
 

This is my first real post on the forum so here goes nothing.

I recently came into ownership of two Parker reproductions a 28ga DHE and 12ga DHE although the 28ga I’m not allowed to take home with me until I get a college degree. (my father is trying to motivate me haha) but he won’t ever shoot it because he’s a Winchester model 23 classic kind of guy and whenever I get a chance to take leave and come home I can take it out.

The Texas hunt went exceptionally well this year lots of collard doves and pigeons and oddly enough a white wing or two which we don’t see much of by the time dove season starts. 7 man limit in two hours.


The 12ga however is mine and with me here in NC so I recently took two of my buddies who are also Sergeants in the Marine Corps to take some doves with it on some nice private land here. The results were great I limited out in about an hour and a half. My friends who I’ll admit are not as much there to shoot the birds as they are to pull the trigger also had a good time and put together another limit between the two of them.

Reminds me of my time in the Army, 1967 to 1969. Although I was all over the place, I never missed the PA or MD dove and pheasant seasons. Just the luck of the draw, I guess. Good luck getting the 28.

Good Luck getting your college degree!






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Good to see some Youth coming into this organization which is plum full of "Geezers" myself included. A good friend of mine has just cracked 40 and he is one of the younger ones in here. Good luck in school and stay away from the Marines.

When I was in the Navy and stationed at North Island, January 1971 through December 1973, the Marines provided us with a wonderful hunting preserve called Camp Pendleton. Getting off at 3 pm (1500) if traffic was good, I could check in with the Game Management Unit and have a good hour and a half to two hours at the pond near the old hacienda. Lots of Doves. Also, great quail hunting for the young and fit and in those days Band-tailed Pigeons in the higher hills when they came through.

I was only stationed in Pendleton for a month but I’m planning on making a career out of it. I just reenlisted so I’m sure I’ll find myself there again and god willing I’ll come along a good English setter to get after quail out there.

The only thing you might want a dog for is retrieving. They are not polite like Bobwhite. Those running little top-knotted rockets need a military maneuver getting several of the party on the ridgetop above them and then a couple coming up from below to get them in a pincer and get them to fly.

James, first off thank you for your service!! Secondly sounds like you have two nice guns to enjoy that shooting with! Post some pics when you get a chance. Many years ago when I was stationed at Ft. Bliss, TX we had fantastic dove and quail hunting on the reservation when it wasn’t closed for maneuvers. Like Researcher said those desert quail aren’t as biddable as Bob White. They will run you to death!! But still fun to hunt!

Brett, It's my pleasure. The on base hunting opportunities are out there at many bases but not too many service members take advantage of that. I'm hoping to get a chance to here soon, we have some good spots on base for ducks here at Lejeune or so I've heard.