Just got back from dove opener...

[ID_shooting]

Well, extra dry summer sure reduced the dove populations around here. I shot 2, we unded up with 10 total in a group of 4 shooters. Just weren't that many flying and I certainly need more shotgun practice but it was good morning regarless.

How did you guys do?

 

[skinewmexico]

Got my 12 by 8:15a, with 20 shots. Everyone limited out.

 

[koja48]

I didn't even bother going out . . . scouted the last 2 weekends & saw darn few birds. I'll go scout bear & chase grouse tomorrow, instead.

 

[PotatoJudge]

Didn't get to go, but my dad and grandfather up in Ft. Worth got their 15 each by 9 AM. I was glad to hear my grandfather shot so well because he's been concerned about his vision. I think they said less than two shells per bird (the state avg is about 5).

 

[koja48]

less than two shells per bird

That's shootin'! Sounds like both sets of eyes were working just fine.

 

[buenhec]

Got two in prescot area, saw maybe 20 all day.

 

[DDawg]

Got 4. The birds were on afterburner by the time they got to me. It was a blast!

 

[NAK]

Only got one and only saw about 10.

 

[KiltedClaymore]

saw 10 got 3. drove alot.

 

[WESTTX357]

Went with three other hunters and we all had our limit in just over an hour.

 

[gunmn74]

Kansas

The Dove population looks really low hear. I did not really go hunting but
I did sit on the back deck and saw one in range and shot one.
I did the same thing last year and got eight.

 

[marksman13]

Limitted out by 7:00 AM. Didn't even shoot a box of shells. We had a blast watching my buddies' kids' shoot. That's the best part to me.

 

[culito]

got my limit in less then 30 min

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

Saw 3 and busted 1 of them.

 

[marksman13]

Gonna try to kill another limit in the morning. Good luck fellas.

 

[koja48]

Gonna chase coyotes tomorrow & conserve shot-shells . . . although if I went dove hunting in this locale, I'd still conserve shotshells . one of you High-Roaders needs to invite me down for a righteous dove hunt someday . . .

 

[koja48]

Took a ride this morning & saw very few doves, but I stopped by a ranch where I have permission to hunt & had the opportunity to meet the manager's neighbor. He gave me permission to hunt pheasants on his place as long as I thin the coyote population for him . . . a productive trip . . .

 

[spectr17]

I went out with a friend and his boy Cody and some other buddies. It was Cody's first dove hunt and he did good for a rookie.

I call this my Route 66 dove hunt part Deux. 32 years ago I went on my first dove hunt near Lindberg Rd. in Bridgeton Mo. This 2007 hunt near Barstow we were about 200 yards from Route 66.

Video of the dove opener for us near Barstow CA on a dairy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTOBoG1p15A

 

[sm]

Remember the ladies and kids that went on there very first hunt ever last year- Dove Hunting?


Being the seasoned hunters we be -these ladies and kids

Opening morning, the kids shot first, and did really really well.
Buddy system if you will...
Then the ladies...

Limit is 15 birds.
Some of the ladies stepped out with only Fifteen 28 gauge shells.

My lady friend felled her limit with only 13 shells.
Another lady felled her limit using 14.
One felled 15 with 15.



No camo, traditional stop for Do-Nuts , Beef Jerky in back pockets, shop rags for range markers and decoys, and at times the radio cranked up ...

Trace Adkins and "When your going through hell , keep on going"
Well, seems some of that flight just did not make it to tree line.

Bob Seger and "Wait for Me" , and this is where the incomers come so close, before shooting these fell at their feet.

Bon Jovi "Wanted Dead or Alive", seems to work attracting doves.

Day two, pretty much covered up with birds again. More time with the kids, since the "pot filled", and let them hunt more.

Ladies then had fun time using single shot shotguns and felling doves.

 

[MCgunner]

We all limited. We did afternoon hunts on my friend's farm and his dad's farm. I got one ring neck dove out of the bunch. He got a white wing, which is cool for hunting north of Waco. Fantastic time and my new 20 gauge is fantastic! I bought a new Remington Spartan side by side some time back, 20" barrels, and had wondered if I could hit anything with it, LOL. Well, I shot about as well as I shoot with my 12 gauge Winchester M1400. I put the IC in the right barrel and the full in the left. That full choke shoots a REALLY tight pattern, gotta be spot on, but it reachs way out there. Did most of my shooting with the IC as I was in a decent spot and getting 20-30 yard shots a lot. I've been waiting to do this for a while, lots of fun.

 

[koja48]

Sounds like a great time. MC!

 

[AndyC]

Drove 5 hours from Dallas and spent the weekend out near Big Spring, west Texas. Got 3 in the morning and another 9 in the afternoon - never hunted with a SxS before, but got my first left & right pair with it

 

[marksman13]

I have to brag a little. 12 for 12 this morning. I love this little Ruger Red Label 20 gauge. We had a great shoot this morning and I can't wait to get back out there tomorrow afternoon.

 

[koja48]

The 20-gauge Red Label is a sweet gun; mine "fell from grace" a bit when I picked up a 28 . . . wish I were going with you, marksman . . . dove populations around here are almost non-existent this year where I usually hunt. Reckon the 28 will have to wait for pheasant & quail to open.

 

[ID_shooting]

ya Koja, I think all the birds moved south to get out of our no rain >100 degree weather. If you are willing to drive and pay non-resident fees your welcome to join us on our field. I won't promise a limit but you will get a few shots off.