Now that we’re all geared up, it’s time for the hunt!
1. Where to hunt
Dove hunting takes place best on a cultivated field with many other hunters. Having hunters stationed around the edge of the field keeps the birds flying and prevents them from settling down in one “safe” area.
A good dove field might be a recently-harvested field of wheat, millet, corn, oats, or sunflowers. Dove eat seeds on the ground in open areas. They roost in pines or other trees close to fields. In the mornings, they usually fly to water and move throughout the day between gravel sites, water, and feeding areas. Dove will light on power lines or trees in or along the edge of fields before flying in to land.
Small watering holes, dirt or gravel roads, power lines, and pine trees make for good travel lanes to set up your stand. Scouting these locations in the days leading up to the hunt can give you an idea of when and where the birds will be moving.
While birds can be flying throughout the day, typically the most movement occurs in the morning and afternoon. Early season hunting is usually better – before the birds get wary from hunting pressure.
2. Where to set up
Now that you’ve got the dove field, where exactly do you sit?
Dove have very good eyesight, so placing yourself against or under some kind of cover will help you remain unseen. While you do not need a hunting blind, you should try to find some natural cover to sit by rather than sitting out in the open. It could be against trees on the edge of the field, a fence row, a brushy area around a clump of trees or a power pole, or even a large round hay bale.
If possible get under some kind of shade. Not only will it make you more comfortable in the early season heat, but it will offer you additional concealment. Again, dove have very good eyesight, so you want to be against or under some kind of cover.
You will improve your effectiveness if you are in a spot where birds will come within around 30 yards. Also, when birds are approaching, avoid too much movement, and wait until the bird is in range before raising your gun. Dove will likely dart away when they see you, so be patient and wait for them to get in range.
Depending on the rules or understanding with your hunting group, you may want to move to different locations during the hunt when you see where the birds are flying. These adjustments are perfectly acceptable during a dove hunt, just do it safely and make sure you other hunters know your location.
3. How to Shoot at Dove
Dove are fast flying and can be erratic, so proper shooting is a must to get your limit.
While some hunters shoot from a sitting position, the more reliable shots can often be taken standing. If you are going to shoot from a sitting position, make sure you practice that on that range.
When it comes to shotgun shooting, one of the biggest mistakes shooters make is stopping their swing after firing. When you draw your bead on your bird, swing the barrel with it and fire as the barrel covers it or gets in front of it (depending on the angle and the amount of lead needed), but don’t stop swinging the barrel when you shoot. Keep swinging through the shot.
Shouldering a shotgun and swinging through a shot should be a continuous, smooth motion. Practicing at skeet or sporting clays in the weeks leading up to the season will improve your accuracy.
4. Dove Hunting Safety
Because of the presence of other hunters on the field, it is critical that you practice safe shooting techniques.
Know your shotgun, and make sure you and any other shooters in your group understand how it operates. Know well how to chamber and unchamber a round and how to operate the safety.
Never point the gun (whether loaded or not) in the direction of any person. Keep track of other hunters and vehicles on the field, and don’t shoot in their direction.
Never shoot at low-flying birds. This can be difficult in an exciting moment of quick shooting, but it can endanger other hunters on the field.
If you are teaching your children, it is very important to teach these safety tips.
5. After the Shot
If you’ve downed a bird, watch where it falls. Dove blend in well with their surroundings and, depending on the terrain, can be very difficult to spot.
Visually mark where the bird fell and immediately go retrieve it after shooting. Some hunters use retrieving dogs to perform this task, but most do not. When my kids were younger and not shooting, they enjoyed being the dove retrievers.
Either way, you want to retrieve the bird soon after it falls. After retrieving the bird, you do not need to dress it immediately, but you should try to put it in a cool place. Do not leave them in the back of your hunting vest or sitting out in the hot sun. You want to avoid spoiling the meat.