mdcrossbow
Well-known member
any dove shooters
We start the 1st of Sept which I think is the same for all states.
We start the 1st of Sept which I think is the same for all states.
Dove season
- Thread starter mdcrossbow
- Start date
smalls
Well-known member
I love shooting and eating the little buggers, but it always seems like we get a frosty night or two the last week of August here and that drives most of them south. In my youth, we'd hunt geese in the mornings, go eat some breakfast at a local cafe then drive out to sunflower or bean fields and pass shoot doves til our shoulders were sore.
On a side note, I saw a collared dove in Helena about 3 weeks ago. Man, they are huge compared to a mourning dove!
On a side note, I saw a collared dove in Helena about 3 weeks ago. Man, they are huge compared to a mourning dove!
noharleyyet
Well-known member
Seem to be a fair census of em 'round here. They usually make pretty good rain magnets opening weekend. Enjoy shooting & eating them also.
duckhead59
New member
Yeah, fellow dove hunter here...starts Sept 1st as well.
There's a lot of them around so far this year...just hope we dont get that 'last of august" cool wet period that sends a lot of them south. I like to shoot (at) 'em...figure I shoot as many shells at doves each year as everything else combined. filet the breasts...good eat'en on the smoker w/piece of bacon on a tooth pick...cook'em real slow in smokey indirect heat.
There's a lot of them around so far this year...just hope we dont get that 'last of august" cool wet period that sends a lot of them south. I like to shoot (at) 'em...figure I shoot as many shells at doves each year as everything else combined. filet the breasts...good eat'en on the smoker w/piece of bacon on a tooth pick...cook'em real slow in smokey indirect heat.
We have them thick on the eastern shore of Maryland. Our club plants four fields and two or three will produce multiple good hunts.
We open the season like "smalls" with resident geese in the am and dove all afternoon. It doesn't get much better than that.
We open the season like "smalls" with resident geese in the am and dove all afternoon. It doesn't get much better than that.
montanadogs
New member
Can't wait for dove to open. Not only are they good eating but a great warm up to ducks and pheasant. Last year opening day pics......
montanadogs
New member
never mind wouldn't up load....
Southwind
New member
September 1 must be the date because that is our opener here in Kansas as well.
They are a great warm up to the season. Nothing like sitting a pond and having waves of dove come into water.
We even have a season for asian collared dove now.
I am there!
They are a great warm up to the season. Nothing like sitting a pond and having waves of dove come into water.
We even have a season for asian collared dove now.
I am there!
smalls
Well-known member
Since they are migratory, USFWS sets the season guidelines and Sept. 1 is the earliest a state can open a dove season.
noharleyyet
Well-known member
...add a few jalapeno slivers to above.
...or deep fry with egg wash and salt & peppered flour...make gravy with the cracklins and hearts...freakin yum.
mdcrossbow
Well-known member
What kind of limits are we talking , Md went from 6 a day to 15. I also found out that Del went to Steel shot this year so I figure Md will follow suit next year. I have a case of shells so I will be doing a lot of shooting this year.
I use a 69 Model 870 wing master 16 Gage with adjustable chock. Great gun to bad shoulders.
as long as I don't mistakenly insert a box of high brass. OUCH !
I use a 69 Model 870 wing master 16 Gage with adjustable chock. Great gun to bad shoulders.
as long as I don't mistakenly insert a box of high brass. OUCH !
mdcrossbow
Well-known member
opening day on public land
What a riot ! over 100 shooters, Had a great time watching birds get hammered, one flight of about 12-15 bird tried the gauntlet from one end to the other and only 3 survived by bobbing and weaving. At times the sound of shots was deafening as you look across the sea of brown limp sunflowers and see shotguns pointed to the shy and white wads dropping around unsuspected shooters and then get a hail of pellets dropping around you. The day was fun and un eventful as all shooters keep their gun high and shot at appropriate levels so not to pull a Chaney. We did get a visit from two DNR guys in uniform. They walked one side turned and walk all the way around the field and then they were gone checking every one but the 7 guys standing around with me. One poor old soul did get a $500 slammer for shooting over the road. I was told.
It's been many years since I dared venture into public land for an opener but I must say I had a blast. I did manage 4 birds maybe 7, guys were walking to birds they thought they shot and I did the same. But it was all good.
My son Jarrod and 2 year old Jack and my buddy who talked me into this fiasco.
What a riot ! over 100 shooters, Had a great time watching birds get hammered, one flight of about 12-15 bird tried the gauntlet from one end to the other and only 3 survived by bobbing and weaving. At times the sound of shots was deafening as you look across the sea of brown limp sunflowers and see shotguns pointed to the shy and white wads dropping around unsuspected shooters and then get a hail of pellets dropping around you. The day was fun and un eventful as all shooters keep their gun high and shot at appropriate levels so not to pull a Chaney. We did get a visit from two DNR guys in uniform. They walked one side turned and walk all the way around the field and then they were gone checking every one but the 7 guys standing around with me. One poor old soul did get a $500 slammer for shooting over the road. I was told.
It's been many years since I dared venture into public land for an opener but I must say I had a blast. I did manage 4 birds maybe 7, guys were walking to birds they thought they shot and I did the same. But it was all good.
My son Jarrod and 2 year old Jack and my buddy who talked me into this fiasco.
