Minnesota Dove Hunting

[M_Olson]

I posted this in the dove blasting thread, but it didnt get much attention there, so i figured I'd make a thread.

I noticed just recently that Minnesota has a dove season now and it opens 2 weeks before anything else; needless to say, I got the itch. This will be my first time going for dove. For any Minnesotans here, I'm planning on going to Carlos Avery to take advantage of their managed field and I'll probably check out Paul Hugo Farms WMA as well, as its only about a mile away. I hear that west/southwest of the cities is the best area for dove, is it even worth going if I can only go northeast of the cities?

Does anybody have any hints/tips for a first time dove hunter? Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[MCgunner]

Look for one of several things, water in dry years, grain fields, or a patch of pebbles like a gravel road. They sometimes aggregate on a source of pebbles for their craw. A tank/pond in the evening in dry years can be killer. Look for migration routes. They like to follow margins of cover or dry creek beds and such. Also, evening hunts can be good where they're coming off grain and going to roost areas in patches of trees. You just have to get out there and study their flight patterns of the little farts, figure out where they're hanging out, feeding, etc and situate yourself under a good spot where you see the birds moving and it helps to understand why they're moving there.

 

[M_Olson]

thanks for the info MCgunner. Hopefully theres someone from Minnesota here who can help me with this one...where is the dove field at Carlos Avery? I've tried several searches and cannot figure out where it is.

 

[killzone]

Location

I've been to Carlos Park ,its is awsome. Ton of doves. SW area of the park is very promising. Have fun and good luck.

KZ