MCgunner
Member
Yep, collared doves are no season, no limit, kill all you want any time....PLEASE. 
They're great eating. Only a pigeon has more meat on it.
They're great eating. Only a pigeon has more meat on it. 
2018 dove season
- Thread starter Armored farmer
- Start date
- Status
FL-NC
Member
We start here on the 22nd. Bought my case of 7 1/2 at wally world yesterday, hopefully that is enough for a limit!
FL-NC
Member
That sucks. The best parts about dove hunting- you don't have to wake up that early, its warm, you don't have to worry about how you smell, you can BS with a hunting partner about upcoming deer season plans and strategies or even listen to the radio, you get to shoot your gun quite a bit (hopefully), and all you really need is a plugged shotgun, a few boxes of shells (you will buy a case, just in case), a few bottles of cold water, a chair, and some camo clothing and just sit still and wait.
troy fairweather
Member
ya sounds real fun. we have so many dove they really need a season do drop the numbers some. i don't know why we cant hunt them maybe the wife on the politician liked them ?. i like 8 miles from pa and nj id love to find some one to go with. it would give me a good reason to pick up 28ga.
MCgunner
Member
Oh, we got checked by a game warden, first time I've EVER been checked while dove hunting. We had 7 hunters in our group that afternoon and everyone was legal. I was impressed. 
We had 7 hunters in our group that afternoon and everyone was legal. I was impressed.
FL-NC
Member
The only times that ever happened to me was hunting a field in NC where every year on opening day the farmer would charge $10 per bunter for all day, and he'd sell shells, drinks, etc. The warden would wait on the edge of the field and make sure no one shot before noon (legal time). It was funny cause it would be noon, then 12:01, then 12:02, birds would be flying and no one wanted to be the first to shoot because he was over there. Maybe they didn't trust their watches. The second year when this happened, I waited until noon and one second and I just fired my shotgun in the air at nothing to get everyone started. Then he would leave and come back around 4 and walk around and check a few people for plugs and limits.Oh, we got checked by a game warden, first time I've EVER been checked while dove hunting.
We had the worst opening day in years. Robert and H&Hhunter got their limits on mourning doves by hunting the sandbar on the river, but the collareds were just not flying. Normally we get at least 125 birds (12-15 hunters) on opening day, and this year's count may have been around 50. We had an unusually dry spring and summer, so that may have been the reason. Usually the bird count is at least 80% collareds.
Yep....I made opening day, but not in my most productive area. When I shoot in NW Kansas, on a dry year, the doves are thick over mud holes (run off from tanks). I've had years where I shot a limit of 15 birds in an hour. The only reason it took that long is because I missed too many shots. But, this year I had to remain at the east end of Kansas. I sat in the shade in a comfy folding chair on a concrete slab next to my nephew's newly constructed equipment building. The comfort was A+, the shooting not so much. Unbeknownst to me, his father has relocated the stock tank I normally shoot over so the doves were just rocketing on past. But, it was a pleasant evening and had a good visit with my favorite nephew....one shot and I missed. Oh well, I'll be heading west next week so will hopefully have a better report.
Grayrock
Member
FINALLY getting to go today. Can't wait. Look forward to gathering the clan every year. Supposed to rain, though. That's OK- we have dominoes and beer.
Grayrock
Member
I can't resurrect this old thread, but it sure brought back some memories. https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/countdown-to-dove-blasting.215137/
OP
OP
Armored farmer
Member
Here is the result of a successful hunt.
Bacon wrapped dove breast appetizers on the smoker.
I got so excited when tbey were done that i forgot to take a picture of the finished product, Sam Adams Oktoberfest, and horseradish sauce.
I can assure you it was fit to eat!
Bacon wrapped dove breast appetizers on the smoker.
I got so excited when tbey were done that i forgot to take a picture of the finished product, Sam Adams Oktoberfest, and horseradish sauce.
I can assure you it was fit to eat!
MCgunner
Member
I shoot a 20 and I shot 1 for 2 this weekend which is my usual when I'm on my game. I can't do better than 1 for 3 with my semi auto 12 gauge. Both guns fit well, but the little 20 is an O/U and balances perfectly, practically points itself, and is quick to the shoulder. IOW, the little O/U 20 is light and just handles better than a 12. That turns into better shooting.
I started out with a .410 when I was a kid. It didn't fit for squat and when I actually hit something, I was amazed.
MCgunner
Member
I've never been one for wing shooting! My buddy used to duck hunt a lot and shoots clays a lot. I'm used to shooting huge pheasants and not 20oz birds flying 50mph.
MCgunner
Member
P&W tried to stock some pheasants in Jackson County Texas 35 years ago. I actually SAW one of 'em cross the highway one morning on the way home from work. They didn't survive the heat, though, guess it was the heat. Maybe it was the fire ants or the hogs, don't know. Even the quail are disappearing now days.
LNF150
Member
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2018
- Messages
- 84
My hunting spot was a bust this year.
We had an incredible hatch, maybe 2 or 3 hatches throughout the summer. But some big rains came a couple of weeks ago, birds got cold and split. A few morning flocks, a couple of birds in hand and that was that. If it ever dries out again, I've give it another go. See if I can pick up any birds coming down from the north.
We had an incredible hatch, maybe 2 or 3 hatches throughout the summer. But some big rains came a couple of weeks ago, birds got cold and split. A few morning flocks, a couple of birds in hand and that was that. If it ever dries out again, I've give it another go. See if I can pick up any birds coming down from the north.
red rick
Member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2009
- Messages
- 3,172
I went on my dove hunt with my friend and the Wheelin Sportsman club today . This is a club for disabled hunters and they are a great group of people . I didn't shoot worth a darn today . I shot 58 times and got 3 birds . My friend shot 11 times and got 2 birds . Lucky for me the guy next to me got 14 birds . As I was walking to get my friends truck to pick him up , I stopped and complimented the guy hunting next to me on his shooting and he asked me if we were going to eat the birds and I said yes . So he asked me if I wanted his 14 birds , heck yeah I do .
After the hunt they had a great barbeque supper for all of the hunters . After eating , my friend and I breasted all of the birds and he told me to take all of them because he just had some on Monday . I can't wait to cook them wrapped in bacon and cooked on the grill .
After the hunt they had a great barbeque supper for all of the hunters . After eating , my friend and I breasted all of the birds and he told me to take all of them because he just had some on Monday . I can't wait to cook them wrapped in bacon and cooked on the grill .
SoonerMedic
Member
Wow look at the size of the two breasts in the middle! Those must have taken several shots to kill
SoonerMedic
Member
That was awful nice of him! Also, do you sit in the chair or on the bucket? Those buckets are perfect for dove! I use my tree tree stand padded seat to sit on and just flip that bucket upside down (mine is camo but I dont guess it matters?) And it actually swivels surprisingly well. I find that I'm able to shoot almost better sitting down on that bucket than if I stand.
OP
OP
Armored farmer
Member
I used a new method when i dressed those two.Wow look at the size of the two breasts in the middle! Those must have taken several shots to kill
LOLBELL
Member
Season opens here in 2 hrs and 40 minuets
red rick
Member
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2009
- Messages
- 3,172
I was sitting in a chair and standing sometimes . They were not flying too high , they were at about tree level , 50' to 60' feet up and flying fast . I swear I think they can see the lead coming at them and dodge it . I tried every choke that I had , IM , M & IC and I usually can hit a running rabbit , but evidently not a flying dove . Those that can limit on them or come close , especially using a .410 have my admiration .
I hope that I get a chance to redeem myself and take my old faithful A5 , but to it's credit the new Weatherby SA-08 Deluxe 20ga. feed and ejected all of those 7/8 oz. #8 low brass shells . My shoulder is feeling it a little today though , but I shot the first box of shells without the recoil pad on because the LOP is too long when I am dressed for the cold weather during late rabbit season .
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