Dave McC
August 31, 2001, 09:00 AM
Had a couple of E's about how to hunt doves, so here's a few things.
First, unless you're at a pay for play operation, you should have scouted out dove populations and movements a week or two ago. The best hunting is where the doves are, naturally, so check the spots again just before the season opens. Doves are migratory, so accept the fact that it may be here today, gone tomorrow.
Second, you do NOT have to dress like a tree to kill doves, but camo's a good idea. Drab colors that blend into the background will do. Non shiny guns and equipment get you more and closer shots.
A small cooler filled with frozen water bottles is good two ways. We'll be sweating enormously, and the cooler is a great place for those birds. On hot days, it almost seem like the doves start decomposing in the air. A trash bag or Ziplocks wil keep feathers,etc, off our drinks.
Naturally, you've shown good sense and been practicing. Sporting Clays may be the best practice available, but there's a lot to be said for a pasture afternoon with a handtrap or standard trap throwing crossing and overhead shots.Skeet and trap are also valid, tho the type of shots differ. The handling and firing of a shotgun helps us get used to the feel and swing.
Since the weather is warm, we're likely to not have on shooting vests with shoulder padding. Dove shooting will let us know if our fit and form are off. We'll be taking lots of shots(Hopefully) and while we're using lighter loads, we'll be absorbing a fair amount of recoil. A wearable pad like the PAST will help, and not be stiflingly hot.
Shooting glasses and a brimmed hat are mandatory for safety. There's always one d*mfool that takes low shots, and we get sprinkled with shot.It doesn't even sting the skin but we do not want the pellets in our eyes.
A set of ear plugs is a good idea also. We'll be enduring a lot of blast. Muffs are just too darn warm for this type of hunting.
As for guns and loads, there's plenty of choices.
Most of us will go into the fields with a 12 ga repeater and some nice cheap "Dove" loads. Not a bad choice, but trap loads in either 7 1/2 or 8s are great choices. I like 7 1/2s better, but folks watching their shot distances can do fine with 8s.
Any 1 oz or 1 1/8 oz loads will work fine, if they pattern well from your shotgun.
As for chokes, this is a situation where a tubed gun shines. I take tubes from Skeet to Full with me, and adapt to the conditions there and then. What I do NOT do is keep switching them. For a single fixed choke,Modified is a good compromise. Since shots can run from those imitating pass shooting waterfowl to very close/sudden, there's no perfect choice. Do the best you can.
As for what type of shotgun to use, any one with a weight of less than 7 1/2 lbs will work. I like a bit more muzzle heavy feel on a dove gun than a quail gun, but that's me.
Shooting methods that work on doves for me include a swing through for most shots, and a sustained lead for longer ones. Sometimes I just shoot the darn thing without thinking. My average on the last is pretty good.
You'll use a lot of shells on a dove shoot. Take 4 boxes if you need to.Unless you're a veteran dove shooter, I suggest loading just one round at first, and concentrating on taking a dove with that shot. Later, you can stuff the mag or the other bbl.I've seen and done good work with a S/S, you may want to try one just for ease of handling and the challenge of a single, well placed shot.
Finally, unless you've brought a good retriever or kid....
When you hit a dove keep your eye on it. Do not shoot any more until you've recovered the downed bird.Dead doves can blend into the scenery very, very, well.
And do not get upset if you miss a lot of shots. Everyone does.Doves can change course three times in 3 seconds.
Keep working at it.If you're missing on the crossing shots,try to hit in front of the dove.You could be amazed at how often the dove drops.
Oh, yes, bring out all the trash you see, and don't leave any litter, including hulls....
Good luck and good hunting....
First, unless you're at a pay for play operation, you should have scouted out dove populations and movements a week or two ago. The best hunting is where the doves are, naturally, so check the spots again just before the season opens. Doves are migratory, so accept the fact that it may be here today, gone tomorrow.
Second, you do NOT have to dress like a tree to kill doves, but camo's a good idea. Drab colors that blend into the background will do. Non shiny guns and equipment get you more and closer shots.
A small cooler filled with frozen water bottles is good two ways. We'll be sweating enormously, and the cooler is a great place for those birds. On hot days, it almost seem like the doves start decomposing in the air. A trash bag or Ziplocks wil keep feathers,etc, off our drinks.
Naturally, you've shown good sense and been practicing. Sporting Clays may be the best practice available, but there's a lot to be said for a pasture afternoon with a handtrap or standard trap throwing crossing and overhead shots.Skeet and trap are also valid, tho the type of shots differ. The handling and firing of a shotgun helps us get used to the feel and swing.
Since the weather is warm, we're likely to not have on shooting vests with shoulder padding. Dove shooting will let us know if our fit and form are off. We'll be taking lots of shots(Hopefully) and while we're using lighter loads, we'll be absorbing a fair amount of recoil. A wearable pad like the PAST will help, and not be stiflingly hot.
Shooting glasses and a brimmed hat are mandatory for safety. There's always one d*mfool that takes low shots, and we get sprinkled with shot.It doesn't even sting the skin but we do not want the pellets in our eyes.
A set of ear plugs is a good idea also. We'll be enduring a lot of blast. Muffs are just too darn warm for this type of hunting.
As for guns and loads, there's plenty of choices.
Most of us will go into the fields with a 12 ga repeater and some nice cheap "Dove" loads. Not a bad choice, but trap loads in either 7 1/2 or 8s are great choices. I like 7 1/2s better, but folks watching their shot distances can do fine with 8s.
Any 1 oz or 1 1/8 oz loads will work fine, if they pattern well from your shotgun.
As for chokes, this is a situation where a tubed gun shines. I take tubes from Skeet to Full with me, and adapt to the conditions there and then. What I do NOT do is keep switching them. For a single fixed choke,Modified is a good compromise. Since shots can run from those imitating pass shooting waterfowl to very close/sudden, there's no perfect choice. Do the best you can.
As for what type of shotgun to use, any one with a weight of less than 7 1/2 lbs will work. I like a bit more muzzle heavy feel on a dove gun than a quail gun, but that's me.
Shooting methods that work on doves for me include a swing through for most shots, and a sustained lead for longer ones. Sometimes I just shoot the darn thing without thinking. My average on the last is pretty good.
You'll use a lot of shells on a dove shoot. Take 4 boxes if you need to.Unless you're a veteran dove shooter, I suggest loading just one round at first, and concentrating on taking a dove with that shot. Later, you can stuff the mag or the other bbl.I've seen and done good work with a S/S, you may want to try one just for ease of handling and the challenge of a single, well placed shot.
Finally, unless you've brought a good retriever or kid....
When you hit a dove keep your eye on it. Do not shoot any more until you've recovered the downed bird.Dead doves can blend into the scenery very, very, well.
And do not get upset if you miss a lot of shots. Everyone does.Doves can change course three times in 3 seconds.
Keep working at it.If you're missing on the crossing shots,try to hit in front of the dove.You could be amazed at how often the dove drops.
Oh, yes, bring out all the trash you see, and don't leave any litter, including hulls....
Good luck and good hunting....