I'm curious how you guys have done shooting doves this season. For various reasons I haven't gotten out yet. Has this year been good and if so, where? I'm headed to NW Kansas next weekend and hope I haven't missed the season. The area I hunt has lots of very large grain fields, usually dry (though this year has been wet) or large swales filled with weeds (and lots of weed seeds). Once harvested, the grain fields can be attractive to migrating doves, but they are so big it's hard to be where the birds congregate. Roosts are almost nonexistent in the many miles of grain fields and pasture....nary a tree can be found. So, how are you guys doing?
Dove Hunts??
- Thread starter Sniper66
- Start date
Chuck R.
Member
It's been slow an spotty, the migrants aren't really down yet. In addition the farmers haven't started cutting fields in earnest yet, so there's just no a lot of birds.. yet.
Usually the state dove hunts at Perry are pretty good and not crowded during the weekdays. They do a pretty good job of cutting a few weeks before the opener to draw the birds in.
Usually the state dove hunts at Perry are pretty good and not crowded during the weekdays. They do a pretty good job of cutting a few weeks before the opener to draw the birds in.
Patocazador
Member
Our dove season doesn't open for another 12 days. All of the birds in Sept. and Oct. are local birds and they smarten up quickly after opening day. Spotty rain here has doomed my milo/millet field to 'blah'. I can shoot some at the pond as they come to water but that never results in a limit.
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,224
It‘s been hot, dry and pretty quiet around here (Had a record H2O bill last month). Not sure if thats because they are not around or if the folks are staying in the AC but I generally hear more gunfire in the mornings and evenings, than I have this year.
Good tip. Thank you, but I don't shoot at State controlled areas since they dictate the shot I must use. No thanks!
Chuck R.
Member
I understand about the non-toxic shot requirement..
I've had great hunts every time I've hunted there. Other than that requirement, they do a pretty good job managing their dove fields. I'm not sure how a guy locally can compete with acres of cut sunflower fields.
Hey Chuck.......My ace in the hole is family owned property in Marshall county. But, it's a 4 hour round trip drive so I stay overnight. Best option when I hit it just right is 5.5 hours one-way and requires a 2-4 day commitment. But, ooo boy!! When I hit it just right it will almost overheat the barrel. I limit out quickly. But then, I put away the shotgun and shoot prairie dogs. That too can overheat a few barrels. when it's just right.!!!
I've hoped that I could find a place locally that isn't too far and at least get a few shots. But, I've lived here since 1982 and have yet to find something worth showing up for. Anyway..life is good when I'm hunting!
borrowedtime69
Member
In SD, I went out day after opening day, got 3 but the 1st one got lost in high grass and weeds. I'm going again this Sunday. Using a mossy 500, 20ga with winchester 7 1/2 nontoxic shot to good effect. I also have a lucky duck electric decoy, 2 decoys with thin plastic wings and several plastic clip on decoys. They work well to attract birds into range.
Anchorite
Member
Here in south Alabama we have a split season, and I don’t get too excited until the second half. I also think our heat keeps the birds from flying it seems. Or maybe they know it’s open season?
At any rate, we’ve got a few small fields prepped and just need some rain to get things growing. But the damn weeds seem to do fine. Time will tell!
At any rate, we’ve got a few small fields prepped and just need some rain to get things growing. But the damn weeds seem to do fine. Time will tell!
Just returned from NE Kansas where it has been very dry for the last month. That was preceded by unusually heavy rain. The rain spawned an explosion of weeds that are now 4-6' tall yet dying from the drought. The weeds made it nearly impossible for an old man like me the wade thru them to get to my preferred shooting spots. In the past, I would park 100 yds or so from my spot and walk leisurely, with folding chair in hand, to my spot. No go this year. There were lots and lots of doves, but those tightly packed weeds were like trying to jog thru an Italian subway car. So, I gave up and tried some abandoned farmsteads with a few scrubby trees. But, those too were choked with weeds making it imposssible to walk thru. So, I gave up and adjourned to a prairie dog town and shot my new Tilkka T3X Super Varmint .223. Great new toy and helped me whack a few 200 yd dogs. I"ll try doves again this weekend
Chuck R.
Member
NW KS?
We've got a shortage of dogs here in NE KS
We've also got a shortage of doves right now, but plenty of rainfall and more forecast for this weekend.
We've got a shortage of dogs here in NE KS
We've also got a shortage of doves right now, but plenty of rainfall and more forecast for this weekend.
OOPS!! Yes, I was in NorthWest Kansas. Specifically about 25-30 miles Northwest of Colby. I also spent a day on a farm south of Winona and north of Russel Springs, The area is mostly filled with magnificent farms with each having several 1,000 acres and very few people. That is Logan County. I'm headed to Marshall County Sunday to try my luck again.
borrowedtime69
Member
Went over the weekend at same spot here inSD.I was skunked, not seeing even one there. Saw a few going home on wires and road.
Almost time for small game anyway.
Almost time for small game anyway.
On my ill-fated trip I saw hundreds of doves; maybe the most I've ever seen. I've done well recently on squirrels. I quit shooting at 3, which fills a skillet nicely. I'll go again soon and will try doves one more time, hopefully before the frost sends them all south for the winter.
