The Dove Hunt Thread

[gman]

Shot with a nice party of guys in the Goldsboro area. Didn't limit out myself but others in the party had a bit more shooting. Started with a modern 20 gauge but switched to the 16 gauge Parker. Got a chance to tune up at pintail point and was then blessed with a bushel of crabs and a cold case of yuengling. Given I was raised nearby in Pa. I endulged my nostalgia in the beautiful country, the doves, and the food. A great few days.

[6pt-Sika]

Well I didn't get a dove invite for saturday , but I did get one at whats usually a good place for monday . Think it'll be a 20 gauge only day . VHE 20 gauge 28" M&F and a Philly Sterlingworth 20 gauge 26" IC/M .

Jut in case I can't hit my a..s..s with both hands I'll throw a 20 gauge Superposed 28" IC/M in the car as well !

I had thought my toothy issues were gonna hold me up , but shooting Jap Trap with a VH 12 last evening proved that to be unfounded


***** Got an invite for dove tomorrow at about 4PM this afternoon **********

Gonna do the goosey thing at 6AM tomorrow also , loaded up 20 rounds of #1 Bismuth as we have a ten bird limit !

[KCordell]

Late in posting but here is a picture of my two sons with the opening day, Eastern Shore dove. Double Lab and a few other members of our club had a fantastic day.

[James Brad Rhodenizer]

We had a shoot here in the Shenandoah Valley, VA. today and the film crew
and star of Meat Eater on the outdoor channel was shooting and filming.
It will be pretty neat to see how they edit it. There were a good number of
doves over 12 acres of sunflowers.

[Researcher]

No Doves on Kodiak, so had to settle for catching Silvers --



Old Researchers first ever time riding an ATV. About twelve miles to where these were caught.

[Mills]

Two hunts this weekend. 12 for the first and 9 for the second. I still observe the 12 bird limit. Shot my Superposed

[Frank Childrey]

Hunting doves this past week-end, I had something happen that I think is worth noting. On Saturday, the doves were fast and plentiful. On one shot, two birds flew directly toward me then veered off to the right; I shot at the lead bird, once, twice, and it sailed on with no apparent effect. As I watched, the dove flew across the field and then dropped stone dead a hundred yards further on. Now, here's the kicker . . . yesterday (Monday), it was late in the day and I decided to take on more shot and call it a day. Again, two birds flew toward me, I shot at the first, and it continued to fly. Oh well. As I walked back to the car, I passed another hunter and he said, "I've got your bird." "What?" "Yeah, it dropped through the trees and my Lab picked it up." He gave me the dove and I, of course, thanked him profusely. So my point it simply this: Keep your eye on the bird . . . before, during, and after the shot.

[J. A. EARLY]

Originally Posted by Frank Childrey

Hunting doves this past week-end, I had something happen that I think is worth noting. On Saturday, the doves were fast and plentiful. On one shot, two birds flew directly toward me then veered off to the right; I shot at the lead bird, once, twice, and it sailed on with no apparent effect. As I watched, the dove flew across the field and then dropped stone dead a hundred yards further on. Now, here's the kicker . . . yesterday (Monday), it was late in the day and I decided to take on more shot and call it a day. Again, two birds flew toward me, I shot at the first, and it continued to fly. Oh well. As I walked back to the car, I passed another hunter and he said, "I've got your bird." "What?" "Yeah, it dropped through the trees and my Lab picked it up." He gave me the dove and I, of course, thanked him profusely. So my point it simply this: Keep your eye on the bird . . . before, during, and after the shot.

Great advice. You would be surprised when goose hunting how many birds fall hundreds of yards away as dead as a stone. Few people watch them until they are out of sight, instead they focus on the "dead" ones nearby which is the natural instinct since they can run like turkeys.

[Frank Childrey]

By the way, my armament was a VH 16 (28" barrels bored cyl/full) on Saturday and a Trojan 12 (28" barrels bored imp/mod) on Monday. What works for me is 3-1-7 1/2 in twelve gauge. For some reason, the 7 1/2 shot will anchor a dove better than the 8's.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Frank Childrey

By the way, my armament was a VH 16 (28" barrels bored cyl/full) on Saturday and a Trojan 12 (28" barrels bored imp/mod) on Monday. What works for me is 3-1-7 1/2 in twelve gauge. For some reason, the 7 1/2 shot will anchor a dove better than the 8's.

I've been a big advocate of #9 for dove and or quail . But in recent years I've been an advocate of whatever size shot I have on hand #9 , 8 1/2 , 8 or 7 1/2 . Some folks around here use #6 for the late December dove season , personally I never saw the need but it's whatever a person likes I suppose .

I pretty much now just buy #8 shot in the bag although if I can find a deal on 9 or 8 1/2 I'll grab a few bags of that as well .