Dove Opener-Sacramento Area

[BBShot]

Well just got word that I'm being transfered from L.A. to the Sacramento area. I had plans for making the dove opener down south but it doesn't look like that will be happening so I'm just looking for a little local knowlege of the area.

I'm not really looking for anyone's spot(s) but more of general information on dove in the Sacramento area as I have never scouted, hunted, or explored. I'm wondering things like: are there areas east of Sac towards Folsom/Placerville areas? North towards Marysville? Is dove even abundant up there? Where there might be local watering holes for wild life (already know of a few for me).

Forgive my ingorance...again, just kind of a noob to the area looking for a little direction.

I do have plans to swing by a local shop or two and pick the guys' ears but just wanted to see if I could tap a couple of you folks for some opinions on the lay of the land.

Thanks. Any information is appreciated.

[gdun]

You can always try the yolo bypass

[giv1tatry]

i've hunted every year here in sacramento and the surrounding area for the last ten+ years, and aside from one year, on one lucky trip, have never seen much, i hunt public land. i just do the dove thing, because its the opener for the rest of my hunting year, just to gear up, drive out onto the countryside before the sun is up, and firing a few shots for some reason really does it for me. here, in the areas i've been to, you'd be lucky to see 4 or 5 fly by out of range.

[emc002]

Arbuckle is good, some public land there, but I hunt on private ground that way.
About 1 hour north of downtown Sac.

[lewdogg21]

Gravel bars on the Sacramento (and probably feather, yuba, etc.) can be great. The best ones are staked out way early or even the day before. That does probably require a boat. You could try wildlife areas such as Daugherty hill, Spenceville, Oroville Wildlife area, etc.

[BBShot]

Thanks for the info. guys. I appreciate it. I'll probably burn some fuel this weekend and head out to do some scouting. If I see anything, I'll post some feedback.

[r3dn3ck]

Fremont Weir. It's close as hell to Sacto and had decent dove numbers last time I was there. Optionally, find any place with a bunch of oaks growing sparsely in a grassy field and that seems to always produce a few. Look at Hog Lake up by Red Bluff (east of I5) too. It's a bit of a drive but overrun with dove. Bring a dog.