Doves at sun up
Mr. Morin:
Sir, that count of 8 for 1 was handed down from my gandpappy to my pappy and to me and I have, of course, now handed it down to my grandsons (4). Now, in all seriousness, virtually every article I have read over the years refers to about a 12% success percentage on the "winged acrobat". I will see if I can find some current sources to provide you with, but I think one of the reasons the success percentages are so low is that dove hunting, particularly Opening Day is quite a social event, complete with barbeque, cole slaw, sweet tea (no alcohol until afterwards by most), banana pudding, Lord, I'm getting hungry, baked beans, and everything else that is guaranteed to make you drowsy while you patiently wait for the birds to start flying. People that haven't fired a shotgun more than once or twice a year show up to shoot doves, and of course a lot of young men and women start some of the shooting lessons on dove. All in all those things bump up the misses.
So far, your President and his environmental nuts have left dove hunting off the required non toxic list so lead is fine. However, since it is a federally regulated game bird I expect steel shot or non toxic will be a requirement soon and that will cause most of us great pain. All of my hunting partners and friends despise steel shot and find the other non toxic loads very expensive.
All said, I am sorry that some states still have a closed season on doves, they are a wonderful challenge for the wind shooter and put on a charcoal grill with about a ½ strip of bacon toothpicked to the breast, well, you have a tasty treat. Of course a good bottle of red wine doesn't hurt...........
PS. A Parker 28 or 20 gauge is just about the perfect weapon for dove hunting, and yes your gun has to be plugged for no more than 3 shells
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