The Dove Hunt Thread

[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 .

[Big D]

Mills - Looks like the stock is loose on the gun

[Mills]

It is a little loose.

[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.

[John Marscher]

Best time of the year. My great uncles 16ga and a day in the field with my father. We also upheld the 12 bird limit.

[charlie cleveland]

glad you fellas had a fine hunt..theres nothing better than first day dove hunt..i missed opening day was on the road some where...first time i ve missed opening day in more years than i can remember...hope to go soon....charlie

[J. A. EARLY]

Went back Labor Day to the same place as opening day and instead of a fairly quick limit it took six hours plus. Most birds had left. Used the 1919 GH 30" Damascus I resurrected from the grave. Shot one ounce 8.5s in the right and 7.5s in the left.

A dove split the field out of everyone's range and I had a chance to follow it for several seconds and judge my lead, probably a couple of feet, every hunter was amazed at what the Parker did as the bird fell dead as a stone. Stepped off to sixty long steps where he fell. And since he was way up there, I was accused of shooting a rifle at him. I told them that's what an extra full (.040) Parker will do. Don't usually take shots like that, but got caught up in the moment.

[Mills]

Old GH Parkers are great as are triple x full chokes

[Daniel G Rainey]

Enjoyed the shoot I was invited to Saturday. A year ago I shot a side by side, but had not gotten into Parkers. Killing my 15 with a 113 year old DH was fun. My Boykin did not consider breaking, picked up my birds and was outstanding. Great day made better by use of a great gun, a great dog. Enjoyed going over afternoon shoot, that night with a couple of good bourbon and waters. Dan