Dove hunting

[nervoustrigger]

I have been anxiously awaiting dove season to open.  Today is the day so I got up early and had some granola and a cup of coffee from the French press, then  headed out a little before 7am.  The doves did not start moving right away; meanwhile I had an opportunity to enjoy the cool air and the sounds of nature.

Finally the first one appeared around 9am and I lined up for a 49 yard shot and hit it squarely in the neck.  All told, I ended up with six taken at yardages of 49, 52, 65, 50, 49, and 54.  I did miss a couple early on trying to take head shots but thankfully they were clean misses.  Those heads just don't stay still!

[Bicycleman]

Nice hunt and a fine looking crew you have there.  Those boys must have a pretty mother.  Hee hee

Our season doesn't open until Saturday; and no air guns allowed.

Jason, thanks for sharing.  Keep them coming.

[daytime dave]

Good shooting on opening day.  Great photo of the helpers.

[dk1677]

Nice haul Jason!

[daytime dave]

Good shooting on opening day.  Great photo of the helpers.

[TutorN1]

I DIDN'T KNOW YOU COULD USE AIR GUNS HERE!!
I'll have to look into it then, I've got several round here.

Great shooting, & cute kids (must take after mom )

[nervoustrigger]

Nathan,

Regarding the use of an air rifle, I cannot find anything in the rules and regulations that either expressly permits or forbids it.  From the general hunting regulations and requirements:

Weapons & Loads
Legal weapons for hunting from one-half (1/2) hour after sunset to one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise are restricted to handguns or rifles using no larger than .22 standard rim-fire cartridges (no 22 magnums) and shotguns with shot no larger than No. 6. When hunting migratory birds, a shotgun must be "plugged" so that it can hold no more than three (3) shells at one loading. The hunting of turkeys during the spring gobbler season shall be restricted to shotguns only and with no shot larger than number two, compound, re-curve, Cross bow, and long bows. However, any quadriplegic may hunt turkey with a rifle.

The MS dove hunting regulations says nothing to the contrary. 

If you learn of something different, please let me know.

[nervoustrigger]

Thanks guys, I love those boys.  Thankfully they do take after their mother. 

The last one, especially.  On the same trip in which we snapped this photo, we were eating at an outdoor restaurant and a young couple noticed this angel sitting in his car seat and the lady said, "Oh my God!  That is the most beautiful baby I've ever seen!" then paused and looked at me and said, "Is he yours?".

I'll never know if that was a question based in genuine curiosity or one of incredulous disbelief. 

[SagaciousKJB]

Nathan,

Regarding the use of an air rifle, I cannot find anything in the rules and regulations that either expressly permits or forbids it.  From the general hunting regulations and requirements:

Weapons & Loads
Legal weapons for hunting from one-half (1/2) hour after sunset to one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise are restricted to handguns or rifles using no larger than .22 standard rim-fire cartridges (no 22 magnums) and shotguns with shot no larger than No. 6. When hunting migratory birds, a shotgun must be "plugged" so that it can hold no more than three (3) shells at one loading. The hunting of turkeys during the spring gobbler season shall be restricted to shotguns only and with no shot larger than number two, compound, re-curve, Cross bow, and long bows. However, any quadriplegic may hunt turkey with a rifle.

The MS dove hunting regulations says nothing to the contrary. 

If you learn of something different, please let me know.

"However, any quadriplegic may hunt turkey with a rifle."

I know it's wrong of me, but I could not help but imagine some guy out in the bush in a wheelchair turkey hunting lol

[longislandhunter]

Post edited.   Mourning doves are classified as migratory game birds by the federal government.  Shotgun hunting only.

Jeff

[vigilandy]

@Jeff-- I've read similar statements from other people, but have not been able to find the source of  "shotguns only."

The reason I ask is because it seems like bowhunting waterfowl is pretty common.... maybe it's a state to state thing?

[Bullit]

Shooting federally protected species in roost, or on a rest, is also a bad thing.  In flight is the way to go here in the states.

[Rico14]

@Jeff-- I've read similar statements from other people, but have not been able to find the source of  "shotguns only."

The reason I ask is because it seems like bowhunting waterfowl is pretty common.... maybe it's a state to state thing?

As Jeff posted, mourning doves are a migratory bird. This is from the Ca. hunting regulations booklet.

§507. Provisions Related to the Taking of Migratory Game Birds.
(a) Authorized Methods. Only the following methods may be used to take migratory game birds:
(1) Falconry.
(2) Bow and Arrows or Crossbows. Only arrows or crossbows bolts with flu- flu fletching may be used except that conventionally fletched arrows may be used to take waterfowl sitting on the water from scullboats or similar watercraft. Archers hunting during any archery season may not possess a firearm while in the field engaged in archery hunting.
(3) Muzzle-loading Shotguns.
(4) Shotguns 10 Gauge or Smaller. Shotguns 10 gauge or smaller using shot shells only and incapable of holding more than three shells in the magazine and chamber combined may be used. except no shotgun larger than 12 gauge shall be used in areas open to hunting on, over or adjacent to the waters of Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo County. If a plug is used to reduce the capacity of a magazine to fulfill the requirements of this section, the plug must be of one piece construction incapable of removal without disassembling the gun. Shotgun shells may not be used or possessed that contain shot size larger than No. BB in lead or T shot in steel or other nontoxic shot approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. All shot shall be loose in the shell.
(b) Use of Dogs. Dogs may be used to take and retrieve migratory game birds.
(c) Prohibition on Electronically or Mechanically-operated Devices. Electronic or mechanically-operated calling or sound-reproducing devices are prohibited when attempting to take migratory game birds. It is unlawful to use devices that are either electronically-powered, or activated by anything other than natural wind, to directly or indirectly cause rotation of decoy wings or blades that simulate wings, when attempting to take waterfowl between the start of the waterfowl season and November 30.
(d) Live Decoy Prohibition. The use of live decoys is prohibited when attempting to take migratory game birds.

Eurasian Doves are NOT classified as migratory and they can be hunted in Ca with an air gun. Hope this helps

[longislandhunter]

Some states have official regulations for the Eurasian Collard Doves but most of them don't and can be hunted freely.  A quick check with your Fish & Game Dept. will give you the regs (if any) in your state.   They are not considered  "Migratory Birds" by the feds. 

I sure wish we had them here in NY, but we don't.    I have a ton of mourning doves all year long but by law they get a free pass.   

Jeff