The first day of September is the traditional kick off date in most states for the Mourning Dove season.
This is usually the first day many of us wander outside with a shotgun. The composition of a dove hunt can vary widely depending on your location, social status and intensity for the sport.
In the south a dove hunt can be an elaborate affair with dozens of shooters, mouthwatering barbeque, and a festive atmosphere with many of the local society’s who’s who in attendance. A hunt of this scale is usually held on private land that has been groomed for weeks agriculture wise to ensure there are lots of doves around.
A dove hunt can also be you and five of your buddies in two pickup trucks with coolers of baloney sandwiches and Dr. Pepper on a public hunting area that you have scouted out and hope there are a few doves using the area.
I have been on hunts on both sides of this isle and while I enjoy it all I tend to hang more with the guys in the banged up Chevy trucks and a Skoal ring on their back pocket. (Mostly because I don’t get invited much to the other kind!)
So what do you need to do to get ready for the dove opener? The first thing is to get that scattergun out of the closet and get yourself to the shotgun range, I mean like now, do it this week. Trap shooting is OK, Skeet or Sporting Clays are better. Even if it is you and your buddy with a hand thrower for the clays, get out there and burn some powder.
If you are like most of us you probably have not shown that shotgun the light of day all summer. If you know anything about doves you know they will show you no mercy and do their best to embarrass you in front of God and everyone. Doves are hard to hit make no mistake, so all the practice you can get in prior to opening day will benefit you.
The first day of the dove season is usually hotter than a three dollar pistol, so be ready with a cooler of ice and water and maybe some Gatorade. Many dove hunters take a dog to the dove field, usually a retriever, and if you do make sure you have plenty of water for your canine buddy and plan to get him in the shade.
Sunscreen is a must and figure on plenty of shotgun shells, low brass field loads are fine, and I would use #7 ½ or #8 size shot and do not handicap yourself using a choke in your shotgun that is too tight.
Leave the turkey chokes and full chokes at home, a modified choke is fine, you may even want Improved Cylinder. If you are looking for a new shotgun for the dove field consider the CZ-USA Supreme Field. This is a production over and under shotgun with the looks and feel of a custom shop gun. Grade III Turkish Walnut, a receiver of polished nickel chrome, automatic ejectors, and 28 inch barrels make this a very snazzy shotgun.
If that doesn’t turn your crank how about the new Remington 870 Field Master from RemArms, the company that is now making Remington firearms. RemArms, has a new version of Remington’s tried and true 870 pump action called the Field Master. When you are done with the dove season you can use it on everything from ducks to pheasants to deer, just like Dad and Grandad did.
After a shade tree and plenty of ice water, the next thing you need on a dove hunt is something to sit on while you wait on the doves. Folding chairs are nice but one of the handiest things I have seen is the Venture Bucket Pack from Peregrine Field Gear
It is a five gallon bucket that is insulated for ice and water and fits into a handy pack with shoulder straps. It has several pockets for ammo, Little Debbie Cakes, and other necessities.
The lid swivels on top of the bucket so you can sit and turn in any direction, it’s a very handy rig.
OK, we will have to talk about getting ready for squirrels, deer and ducks next time.
For now get that shotgun out and get ready for those doves.
— Contact Case at [email protected]
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