Dove hunting

kdm Said:
I like to jump them out of the edges of sunflower fields, like pheasants.  I use low base 12 ga 7 1/2 or 6's.  Once I get a few I like to wrap the breasts in bacon and grill until the bacon is done.  Man of Man that's good eats right there.  Good luck.

gillgetter. Said:
 I hunt doves pretty hard for the first two weeks of September every year. (then grouse opens)
I seem to do pretty well.  Every year with the crops changing, they feed in different fields.

It takes a few early morning and evening drives to locate high concentrations of them pre-season(I'm heading out in an hour on a scouting run).  

Once and area with a high dove concentration is located(usually trees around or close to a sunflower field)  start looking for harvested wheat, barley, or beans.  The rule of thumb I use is, feed in the mornings, water in the evenings.  Find long tree rows or fence lines that they are using as flyways and set up close to them in stubble.  I usually will put out 2 mojo doves(they work awesome by the way) and any where from 4-12 decoys.  I have made a couple of "Dove poles" witch are 10' tall x 4' wide "Ts" made of 1/2" conduit painted flat brown.  One mojo goes on top with 2-3 decoys and the rest go on the ground.  Try to look for bare dirt in the stuble.
 You want to be no more than 20yrds from your decoys hidden in the tree row or fence line.  
Once they start flying, you'll know shortly if your in the right spot.  If you see multiple doves using a different flight line, pick up shop and move to intercept.
Water holes close to roosting areas are great in the evening.  Make sure to look for some with bare shore.  I like to shoot 1-1/8oz  7 1/2 shot.  Usually cheep heavy trap loads.   As far as cooking goes, dove poppers can't be beat.

Captain Ahab Said:

gillgetter. Said:
 I hunt doves pretty hard for the first two weeks of September every year. (then grouse opens)
I seem to do pretty well.  Every year with the crops changing, they feed in different fields.

It takes a few early morning and evening drives to locate high concentrations of them pre-season(I'm heading out in an hour on a scouting run).  

Once and area with a high dove concentration is located(usually trees around or close to a sunflower field)  start looking for harvested wheat, barley, or beans.  The rule of thumb I use is, feed in the mornings, water in the evenings.  Find long tree rows or fence lines that they are using as flyways and set up close to them in stubble.  I usually will put out 2 mojo doves(they work awesome by the way) and any where from 4-12 decoys.  I have made a couple of "Dove poles" witch are 10' tall x 4' wide "Ts" made of 1/2" conduit painted flat brown.  One mojo goes on top with 2-3 decoys and the rest go on the ground.  Try to look for bare dirt in the stuble.
 You want to be no more than 20yrds from your decoys hidden in the tree row or fence line.  
Once they start flying, you'll know shortly if your in the right spot.  If you see multiple doves using a different flight line, pick up shop and move to intercept.
Water holes close to roosting areas are great in the evening.  Make sure to look for some with bare shore.  I like to shoot 1-1/8oz  7 1/2 shot.  Usually cheep heavy trap loads.   As far as cooking goes, dove poppers can't be beat.

How do you make "Dove Poppers"?  I am going out to bag a few this week as well.  I am thinking about marinating them and wrapping them in bacon on the grill, but I would like to know other ways to prepare them.

Thanks Josh and Josh.  Jig-em, the Captainette stole your spot...I was just following her.

Captain Ahab Said:

Thanks Josh and Josh.  Jig-em, the Captainette stole your spot...I was just following her.