NDR ,,,Dove hunting

C

Chuck Cooper

Active member
I just learned that we here in Ontario will have our first dove season since I think the 50's.
I see guys posting on here about hunting them but its all new to me and I would really like to try it.
Any tips on where and how to hunt these?,,
thanks in advance ,,,Chuck
 
Very exciting news Chuck. It has been a long time coming thanks to the hard work of a number of folks. I have no advice, however, as I have never had the opportunity to hunt dove.
 
down here in arkansas, most folks grow a large field of something doves like to eat. then you harvest it just before season in such a way that it spills grain onto the field. Look up the regs on what is the legal way to do it.

After you have the field and doves, generally you just line the edges of a field and pass shoot. Enough people, and you just bounce them back and forth.

If you want a more "ethical" approach. find you a good water hole near a food source, put out your chair and wait for them to fly overhead.

Some folks use robo-doves. I just carved 6 cork doves to set out on the ground on a friends property. This is one of those "ethical" spots in which no preparation was made. It will truly be hunting vs slaughter. both ways are enjoyable depending on the day.

jeff
 
Great fun to hunt and good to eat. We hunt them over sun flowers fields planted and mowed just for doves, chopped corn silage fields, combined wheat stubble, and in pastures around water holes where there is some bare ground. We have also had good shoots where earth work has been done exposing bare soil. Easy way to scout flyways is to watch for birds sitting on power lines in the morning and evenings and figuring out where they are coming from and where they are going to. Sand and gravel bars on streams can provide some action. If you get in on a good shoot you will be hooked. They are really attracted to a mojo dove. Some days I think they are harder to hit when decoying than just pass shooting. I like 7.5 or 8 shot with improved cylinder choke. I like cheap game loads and carry a few boxes of shells. Good luck.
 
I typically hunt MN & WI and their dove season coincides with the early goose season. We will dove hunt from time to time and usually hunt over oat or wheat fields. Often times the best field are oat fields that were planted as a cover crop of alfalfa. The oats are normally taken off before the dove season leaving some waste grain and the sprouting alfalfa. Doves are not very wary so we just put out several dove decoys, a small spinner like a wing thing and sit in the adjacent fence row or standing corn. Very good tune up for the dogs as well. A few years ago we were taking turns shooting so one of us could hold the Tritonics controller as we reinforced honoring. Dog had to honor and take turns - very good drill. When my friends pup retrieved his first dove all you could see was a foot hanging out of his mouth when he came back. Had to swat him on the head a couple times to get him to spit the dove. Water holes are good spots as well - they typically water dawn - dusk and throughout the day. Good Luck
 
Good for you. Doves are a hoot. If your a novice take plenty of shells. If your a Pro take plenty of shells. In my area the DNR used to plant sunflowers on public land but not so much any more. I look for a pasture with some kind of watering hole and a big dead tree. Then I try to get permission to hunt. They love hog lots. They love open places where they can see. They also love to roost in Pine trees. Other places are sand bars, open ground, anywhere they can get grit. Make sure you hide yourself. They can turn on a dime and dip even faster! Have fun.
 
Thanks for all the great advice,,,,,just a short 10 minute drive north of where I live are endless fields of crops and I do know a few farmers out that way so I will make it a priority to talk to them and get some permission ,,,the only problem I see is the early goose season opens the same time so it might be alittle harder to find a spot.
I have been a hunting nut since I was a kid but I don't think I ever payed attention to doves while out there since we couldn't shoot them,,,the most I have ever seen are right here in residentail areas,,,my mother feeds alot of them along with about 40 squrriles so they must be enough in the area to hunt,,,now just to explain to the wife why I may need some new equipment,,,,,,thanks again Chuck
 
I was excited to hear about the possibility of a dove hunt here also, but I wonder about the additional info that we will have to use non "toxic" shot. Will it even be available in small shot sizes?
I wonder how many of the US states that have open seasons have the same requirement?

Bob
 
Dove, and early Canada goose season always opened the same time in PA. We hunted geese in the morning, and doves in the afternoon, as the shooting time for early season doves was noon. Had many good and great days afield.......

Doves like low ground cover - Food, Water & Grit. Early season hunting, and late season hunting are very different. Early season doves in pairs and small groups, lots of Bunny shots. Late season doves, Corn Fields, large flocks and longer shots, at smart birds.

I think Doves are delicious, and have cooked them about every way I can. Late season, corn fed Doves are Prime, and I pluck them rather than just breast them.

September is always hot, and dogs need lots of water, some shade and some water near by for a swim to cool off.

Enjoy yourself, as your in for a Good Time! If I had to choose only one migratory bird to hunt - it would be DOVES.

Get yourself a copy of "The Dove Shooter's Handbook" by Dan M. Russell, Winchester Press 1974.
 
I know you can buy Winchester shells in #6 &7 in steel as I buy them for my son to shoot and they are very inexpensive but I get them in NY state ,,not sure if they have them here.
Are you in Peterbourgh Bob ,,,try Accuracy Plus ,,I hear they have everything there for hunting ,,,,Chuck
 
Some places in the States you have to use non-toxic for doves, especially on federal national wildlife refuges. But most places you do not.
 
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