Dove hunting - What gun are you taking?

[davidboyles]

I'm Nervous as a cat as it opens here in Texas Sept 1. I like to keep my buddies guessing so I'll let you know when I pull out a recently acquired EH 10 circa 1893 30" bbls F/F on #3 frame. Also have Guage Mates so will use some WIN AA 12 gauge shells as well as RST 10's. High flying Whitewings can be plenty of action and long shots. Also recently acquired mint 16 ga DHE 1921 gun with 30" bbls and tight chokes on 1 frame. Will shoot modern 7/8 oz # 71/2 shot loads. None of my regular dove shooting friends shoot SXS so it's a hoot to rib them when their autos jamb!!!! My daughter Perry will join me on later hunts with a newly repaired GH 20 with a new stock courtesy of fellow PGCA member. Thanks Jim Dispangio !! Best to all who pursue those little acrobatic birds.

[davidboyles]

FYI My little Brittany Dessa who has been in more Parker Pages articles than me just a week ago had a titanium plate and 4 screws removed from her rear hind leg that she had put in 7 years ago as it recently started to bother her. Bone had more than healed so it was time to fix. She looks pretty silly with a cone on her neck but come the First she will he doing back flips to get in her crate and head south minus the cone!!!

[mobirdhunter]

I've been checking the local WMAs that have sunflower fields. We have been in the throes of a 2-year drought, but it looks like between some sunflowers that made and the ragweed that did well without moisture...and the State mowing the fields recently, we may just have a decent first day in Missouri. It's a hard choice as to which gun to take, but I have narrowed it down to two new-to-me Parkers: a PH and CH. The PH is choked a little tighter, but the CH has one very open choke and another very tight (always a nice combo). I'm glad to see that others have been scheming for this opener. Summer lasts far too long! Soon after the dove opener we'll have our early teal season -- yet another chance to break in a new gun!!

[Randy Roberts]

DHE & VHE both 16's, 32", F/F. Might play with a VHE 20 some, 32" of course

[Double Lab]

We've mandated 20's or 28's for opening day (9/01). I'll be packing my OO frame 30" VHE 28 with insanely tight chokes. The following days will still be with a smallbore 20, not in any particular order, a 30" Fox, 32"DHE, 30" Wm. Ford hammer, and so on and so on. Nothing bigger than a 20 though. Just would'nt be sporting. Good luck to all.