Parker vs Dove

[6pt-Sika]

Went to a friends second dove shoot of the year earlier today !

Got 10 but it took me 37 shots .

VHE 20 gauge 28" M&F .

[David Noble]

Craig, you beat me in both birds bagged and shots per bird. I was hunting in West Texas and the local birds were few and far between. The larger northern birds have not arrived yet. Come on cold front!
Average time between shots was about 15 minutes and they were flying high. It's difficult for me to get in the zone when it's that slow. My little 410 VH has fairly open chokes and the 3 inch 11/16th oz of 7 1/2 loads were testing me pretty hard. However I did get a nice Jack at about 40 yards. Just took one shot and he didn't move more than 2 feet. Now THAT impressed me!
Below is a very poor photo of my results. Taken after dark with my Iphone. Check out the size of the jack compared to my gun!
David

[6pt-Sika]

Dave , I shot frickin skeet and trap enough years that I keep averages on anything I shoot at !

So regardless of gauge etc I'll never be satisfied unless I hit every time I shoot !

I remember an article I read in Outdoor Life many years ago . Jim Carmichal was shooting dove in Texas somewhere with a Winchester 42 and he was able to get his 12 bird limit with 25 shots , that has impressed me to this day . So I would say you did better then me as I think ANY birds with a 410 are great !

You know the fellow I bought that Parker from told me after I got it that he never could shoot it that well . He also had a circa 1951 20 gauge Superposed which I also own now , he claimed he did better with the O/U . However you look at it I can do equally bad or good with either .

I've known that little 20 gauge Parker my entire life and have wanted it for about 40 years , I finally got it and I will learn to shoot it well regardless of the fact that it's M&F !

[David Noble]

I am wondering if anyone here has ever seen the affliction that one of my doves had. Is this some kind of fungus infection?

[David Noble]

2nd picture.
Would it be safe to eat this bird?

[SXS OHIO]

NO.....Better to eat the head of a rattler. Never eat things with growths. SXS ohio