Intro Dove Hunting Advice

[Bidwell]

This my second year dove hunting and the season is opening labor day. Got a few spots im going to try and looking for any advice, only got one last year. Going to avoid the really popular areas around me (northern california), its just not fun when you got 100 people shooting around you.

First spot is a small blm plot that nobody ever goes to. I dont see a ton of dove there, but you'll see a few consistently. Theres some wheat that grows by the road and tree cover, and a creek about 500 yards downhill. I cant go near the creek though, its a reserve owned by the local university. Its a recent burn area but vegetation is coming back with a force.

Second spot is around a lake that has some good acorn tree cover and lots of tall golden grass like growth. I saw a ton of birds here a few times, and ive seen none.

Theres also a wildlife area thats popular but people will be focusing in food plots. Theres a big river that goee through the srea that seperates public and private land. Lots of farms on the other side. Thinking about trying that out as well.

Anyway, how would you all play these areas? Sit and weight in cover, use decoys, use calls, walk along path edges to flush birds? Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[OneGunTex]

We're talking regular old mourning/WW doves, right? Just watch for the birds and go where they go. Put yourself on a flight path, or by water you see them sit by, or by fields that you see them land at. It's a lot easier to find "the X" than any other sort of hunting (usually there are a lot of "X" spots). Spinning wing decoys work so good it's practically cheating.

Just because there are lots of people, doesn't mean you won't shoot a limit. The birds aren't all that bright. Just go where you see birds, people or not

 

[Bidwell]

We're talking regular old mourning/WW doves, right? Just watch for the birds and go where they go. Put yourself on a flight path, or by water you see them sit by, or by fields that you see them land at. It's a lot easier to find "the X" than any other sort of hunting (usually there are a lot of "X" spots). Spinning wing decoys work so good it's practically cheating.

Just because there are lots of people, doesn't mean you won't shoot a limit. The birds aren't all that bright. Just go where you see birds, people or not

Yep, mourning doves! Appreciate the notes. I have one spinning decoy, is that sufficient or is a few better? Thinking about some of the clip on style with those poles. I haven't had any luck with it yet but I made a call with this little ceramic ocarina instrument my nephew used for a class once. I swear this thing sounds just like a dove. That said, are dove calls just not worth it? I don't see them discussed much.

 

[Weldor]

Buy a smoker, Dove's are great smoked. We shoot around water or ag. Sometimes it's hot sometimes not. But it's always a hoot.

 

[Bidwell]

Buy a smoker, Dove's are great smoked. We shoot around water or ag. Sometimes it's hot sometimes not. But it's always a hoot.

I made a little smoker for some trout a few weekends ago. Probably just a one time use setup, but it came out better than I thought it would. I should get one, was a lot of fun to do.

 

[Wheels]

One spinner should be enough. Find a dead tree in their flight path, they love to perch where they can see. They also like bare dirt where the feed and gravel to to grind their food.

 

[Bidwell]

One spinner should be enough. Find a dead tree in their flight path, they love to perch where they can see. They also like bare dirt where the feed and gravel to to grind their food.

That's really helpful, thanks! That matches the behavior and environment I've seen them in. Might stick to my little blm plot then, seems like my best bet for opening day. Get the spinner out and see how it goes. Do you find calls effective or better to stay quite?