Dove question?

[catman529]

Have not dove hunted before....

When the season comes around in september, should I just go out to wheat, corn, or other grain fields and walk around shooting birds that flush? The WMA has plenty of corn and wheat fields and even a couple of designated dove fields.

 

[Baxter83]

Get you a good comfy chair/bucket, find a spot out there that's going to provide a little shade, and sit down. If the WMA has designated dove fields then there will be plenty of other hunters out there to keep them flying. If there is a pond or water source near the field I'd get in as close to it as possible.

You don't usually try to "flush" doves like you would quail and other game birds. They typically will fly to and from food and water sources throughout the day and you try to catch them on the move. Usually you want several hunters around to keep them on the move. Not too many hunters, but not too few. ;)

 

[catman529]

So I will want to sit and wait for them to fly rather than flush them?

 

[stik]

if there are no other hunters to keep them moving, walking them up is very effective. that was the only way to hunt a particular farm we used to hunt. we would flush them from field to field.

 

[Grizzly Johnson]

If there is a dead tree close to the field, set up close to it.... they are dove magnets.

Also, fence rows can be a good place to set up along... Just be sure to have plenty to drink, snacks, and watch out for low flying birds.... they can be a danger to you and others!!

Don't rule out decoys or the mojo dove..... they aren't a have to have item, but they have proven useful in the last couple of years for us if there aren't many people hunting to keep them flying around a big field.

 

[Baxter83]

if there are no other hunters to keep them moving, walking them up is very effective. that was the only way to hunt a particular farm we used to hunt. we would flush them from field to field.

stik is right too.

My post was a response to you mentioning that the WMA has designated dove fields. In that case the odds of you being the only one out there are slim to none. Actually, I'd probably want to get to the field waaaay early to beat the crowd. That's how we done it at AEDC several years ago. We got to the field 5 hours early to "claim" a spot and still had a butt load of hunters out there with the same idea. :D

 

[stik]

if there are no other hunters to keep them moving, walking them up is very effective. that was the only way to hunt a particular farm we used to hunt. we would flush them from field to field.

stik is right too.

My post was a response to you mentioning that the WMA has designated dove fields. In that case the odds of you being the only one out there are slim to none. Actually, I'd probably want to get to the field waaaay early to beat the crowd. That's how we done it at AEDC several years ago. We got to the field 5 hours early to "claim" a spot and still had a butt load of hunters out there with the same idea. :D

some of those designated fields can get quite crowded. TWRA also leases some private fields that can provide some good shooting.

 

[TJS209]

Love a good dove hunt...some of my fondest memories as a kid gettin to go dove hunting Remington Youth model 1100. Also my Bday is on opening day so my old man would always get me out of school to hunt!

Big dead trees are like magnets. Doves also fly gaps in tree lines. Power lines are good too. Ponds are good spots. I've been on some decent TWRA hunts and a couple real good ones.

Sad that not as many farmers do pay hunts like they used to. Guess alot of the problem now is liability and insurance.

 

[catman529]

if there are no other hunters to keep them moving, walking them up is very effective. that was the only way to hunt a particular farm we used to hunt. we would flush them from field to field.

stik is right too.

My post was a response to you mentioning that the WMA has designated dove fields. In that case the odds of you being the only one out there are slim to none. Actually, I'd probably want to get to the field waaaay early to beat the crowd. That's how we done it at AEDC several years ago. We got to the field 5 hours early to "claim" a spot and still had a butt load of hunters out there with the same idea. :D

some of those designated fields can get quite crowded. TWRA also leases some private fields that can provide some good shooting.

There are plenty of other areas on the WMA that aren't specifically dove fields but have wheat, corn, soy etc so they should be less crowded but still have doves.

So I will want to sit and wait for them to fly rather than flush them?

Yes, its a waiting game. A lot of people shoot them from a seated position.
I found using a drum throne works great since it is a swivel stool.

The only time I will flush them is when they are sitting on power lines, in which case I'll sneak up to within range and then step out of cover so that they will fly.

I have a drum kit so I would have a throne to sit on. Of course I would want a back rest after a while though :grin: mine doesn't have a back rest.

 

[spitndrum]

What baxter said if the birds use it you will have a good enough hunt sitting there they will come through after all thats what a dove field is all about anyways, I also like shootin on the fly as well both works Good Luck!