Why dove hunting?

[Leagle8]

If you think you are a good shot-gunner, hunting doves for the first time can be a humbling experience. Statistically, the average hunter hits 1 out of 10; and, a good average for an experienced hunter is 1 out of 5. 1 and of 3 means you prolly can go 25 clean in skeet.
Being a good skeet shooter doesn't necessarily imply that you can hit a dove. Clay pigeons fly straight. Doves often do not. I still hunt doves at age 72 because- I don't have to do much walking. The challenge is still there. You get more shooting than any other type of hunting. The birds are easily cleaned and taste delicious. It is a social event. I get to re-unite with my ole Army buds every year in Yuma, Az.

[NytWolf]

A lot of my friends and relatives see it as the official opening of (firearms) hunting season. It's a way to celebrate the long wait for hunting season to open.

[44fred]

If I only shoot at Dove I know I can hit, I can limit with a box of shells.
That never happens because I always fire on birds I have no business shooting at.
Yes enjoyable indeed. Glad to see you are still knocking them down.

[Jester3]

Oh yeah! Love dove hunting. Good challenge and dove breast tastes awesome.

[Leagle8]

When I first relocated to So. Cal in the early seventies, I started hunting doves around Indio, then progressively migrated into the Imperial Valley along the Salton Sea area around Brawley and Niland. Yuma beats them all. Not enough hunting pressure last year increased the limit to 15 birds this season. (10 whitewings). 25 years ago, Yuma only had 4 or 5 motels, now there are approximately 65. It is still considered the Mecca for dove hunters. Better out of state license rates this year. (2day permit and migratory stamp about $45)

[easyPZ]

I also enjoy dove hunting. These days it seems like I do more hunting for a good hunting area more than actual hunting. Over crowed areas...

1 out of 10 was about my average this year, and I try to only shoot at birds I feel confident about hitting. I have witnessed others take shots at birds that are out of their range and skill. Then they leave empty shells everywhere. Anyway, that's my contribution to this thread.

[Ducky's Dad]

When you can limit with less than a box of 2-1/2" .410s, at the end of the season, then you know you are OK on doves.

[Leagle8]

easyPZ, that's why I kept going further south each year. Yuma is the geographical flyway for doves. They all hit the Colorado River on their south leg, then follow the river into Mexico. The river swings south just outside of Yuma at the U.S. and Mexican border. They always fly well there; and, Yuma welcomes dove hunters. In between the morning and evening shoots, I go to Sprague's Sporting Goods just to browse and take a nostalgic wistful look at what you can buy in a "free" gun state over the counter.

[DennisCA]

Ah yes dove hunting; AKA rockets with wings!

[iluvmycolt]

The birds are easily cleaned and taste delicious.

I agree. They are very tasty.

[toby]

Every Shooter/Hunter should try a Dove shoot. It's not really a hunt as they come to you.

[NaClAddict]

Because "dove is the filet mignon of the sky." That and any day I can get out in nature and shoot a gun for fun is a good day.

[Leagle8]

I suppose we could swap dove recipes but that would take a whole nuther thread. Eating them is as much enjoyment as shooting them. Same with deer hunting, but one shot and its all over; and, dressing a deer takes a bit longer. Very seldom do two doves give you the same angle, and even when they do, their speed may be different or their height and distance will not be the same. So the brain has to constantly interpolate the difference and feed the info to your eyes to calculate the deflection and your finger to pull the trigger at the exact right time...thats the challenge that lures an ole fart like me back into 106 degree heat to test my skills against the most agile of all game birds year after year. Don't get me wrong. I love to hunt quail, chukkar, ducks, geese and pheasants too...but doves reign #1!!!!!

[TKM]

This ought to save you some ammo.

http://www.exoticmeatmarkets.com/dovemeat.html

[Intimid8tor]

I enjoy it and like the meat. They are tough to hit. Did good last time hitting at about 2 shells per bird. I can't shoot a 25 in trap. Best I have done is low 20s.