Friends,
So I've been hunting most of my life. I grew up very rural but it seems like most people just hunt deer. I've branched out and honestly always loved hunting small game growing up, but it seems like I'm the only one in the neighborhood hunting dove. That said, I'm not really sure how to do it.
I've done my homework and went online to find the nearest gameland that was a "managed dove" area. I went there and heard some shots in the distance, but didn't see any dove. I wandered around the field for a few hours but only saw woodpecker and finch. I went home (ironically passing probably 10 doves on the powerlines in town) and did some reading to find that a lot of people use decoys, but I didn't see anyone using them out where I was.
I've hit the books and watched probably 3 hours worth of youtube videos on dove, but I just don't seem to see any. I'm sure there's something I'm doing wrong. I know what they sound like, look like, and even see them regularly in town. I just never see any in the woods. I've even tried hunting near powerlines -- nothing!
Anything I should be looking for?
Is it possible without decoys?
I'd really love some delicious birds in my freezer!
So I've been hunting most of my life. I grew up very rural but it seems like most people just hunt deer. I've branched out and honestly always loved hunting small game growing up, but it seems like I'm the only one in the neighborhood hunting dove. That said, I'm not really sure how to do it.
I've done my homework and went online to find the nearest gameland that was a "managed dove" area. I went there and heard some shots in the distance, but didn't see any dove. I wandered around the field for a few hours but only saw woodpecker and finch. I went home (ironically passing probably 10 doves on the powerlines in town) and did some reading to find that a lot of people use decoys, but I didn't see anyone using them out where I was.
I've hit the books and watched probably 3 hours worth of youtube videos on dove, but I just don't seem to see any. I'm sure there's something I'm doing wrong. I know what they sound like, look like, and even see them regularly in town. I just never see any in the woods. I've even tried hunting near powerlines -- nothing!
Anything I should be looking for?
Is it possible without decoys?
I'd really love some delicious birds in my freezer!