Sharing the work

[Furseeker]

Well out here in Utah September 1st is always opening day of the Dove season. It’s the first regulated hunting season to open in Utah and usually draws quite a crowd, and today was no exception. I took the day to hunt a few hours with my son before he had to start farming. We met at the predetermined place and proceeded to stand around and listen to the guys in the surrounding fields shooting like mad. Our chosen spot is really better for evening hunting, but really it was just an excuse to spend some time out of doors with my boy. As luck would have it I had the Discovery in the car and ended up shooting a few starlings while we waited for the doves.  He did end up harvesting 3 birds and it’s always a pleasure to watch him work his two labs. Both of which he rescued from going to the pound, he has spent untold hours working with his dogs and it shoes. I finally ended up getting a shot at one dove that came in and quickly missed 2 shots at it. After the action slowed down he decided it was time to get on the tractor and get to work. I had some things to get done around the house so we parted company planning on an evening hunt with some family and friends.

I stopped by the dairy just to see what was hanging around and was pleasantly surprised to see doves in almost every tree in sight. I parked the care and shot a 2 from about 65 yards with the Discovery. On my way out to pick them up I decided to take the Remington 1100 and shot one with that gun. While heading over to get those two birds, which is on part of the dairy I rarely hunt, I discovered a new colony of ground squirrels. They were less than pleased I’d found there spot and several of them stood at the entrance to their holes barking loudly. I picked up the 3 birds and headed back to the car for an air rifle. Because of all the earlier shooting the Discover was running low on air so I reached into the trunk and took out the B28. That gun just doesn’t get the attention that it should and it felt good to feel the familiar heft in my hands again. I walked the short distance back to some mangers that were about 25 yards away from where I saw the squirrels. Every time squirrels felt safe enough to poke the heads out and start looking around some doves would come in and offer a shot. I ended up concentrating more on the doves and let the squirrels be until another day. I only ended up taking 3 more with the B28 but one dropped into some really tall weeds and I was unable to recover that bird. I did have a few fly offs with both air rifles but that seems to be part of the game when shooting those big Eurasian doves. I vowed to get out and shoot the B28 more often and may choose that one for my next night hunt. I find it interesting that even when I have the chance to use a scatter gun I still end up finding it more enjoyable to shoot my air rifles. Sorry for the long rambling post. Enjoy the pictures.

The big Eurasian dove with the pellet wound on the left side of the breast was shot with the disco from about 65 yards and the CPHP exited just above his tail. I was really hoping the pellet stayed in so I could recover it as see if it had some deformation. The other picture is for size comparison between the Eurasian Collared Dove and the Mourning Dove.

[bradyman1]

It is illegal in Missouri to take a dove or any other upland bird with a rifle. We must use a shotgun. I guess it is in part because they are hard to kill with a single projectile.

[Atchman2]

I've never checked the laws here about shooting doves with air guns!  Never really thought about it to be honest.  Great shooting from way out in Utah! Today is opening day here too, but the Atchman has the FLU!  I'm lying at home in bed instead of being outside.  

[Atchman2]

Just looked on the laws, it is illegal to shoot migratory birds with air guns.  Oh well, there are plenty of other things to shoot with them.  

For doves it will be my beloved Remington 1148 20 gauge!

[Furseeker]

I've looked into it here and I can't shoot mourning doves with my air rifles but the state allows air rifle for Eurasian Collared Doves. In Utah we can shoot ECD's all year, no season, no bag limits, no license required. I guess I probably should have mention, there is only one mourning dove in the photo and it was taken with the scatter gun.

[bradyman1]

I wasn't questioning or judging just stating how it is in MO. I wish I could shoot them with my Titan. I'm sure it would love them. They set about 10' from me and drink at the bird bath. A shotgun would destroy them at that distance.

[only1harry]

Awesome bird hunt Dave!  and amazing 60+yd shots! 

Very nice pics too.  The more guns in the pic, the merrier 

I can't shoot any doves here in NY either, Mourning doves or otherwise

[Furseeker]

Bradyman1 no worries, I didn’t feel like you were questioning my ethics. But I should have stated that I did harvest to morning dove with the shotgun. I have both types of doves that visit my yard feeders and bird baths but the wife has declared the whole yard a safe zone for all doves. It’s not always easy or possible to follow here rules. But I try to support her ideals, most of the time.

The fact that some of you guys are not allowed to hunt doves in your states baffles me. But then again I’ve never lived any place other than Utah. My work allows me to travel all over the place, in country and out of country. When ever I go some where I ask the locals about their hunting regulations. I believe I remembered hearing that doves can’t be hunted in Michigan as well. Last time I was there one of the guys I was dealing with told me they almost passed a bill to let them hunt doves but it was narrowly defeated. Judging from what Harry said I guess dove hunting is a no go in New York too.

Sounds like for some of you guys squirrel season has either started or is just about to, so for all of you guys lucky enough to get out and hunt them I say good luck and keep the pictures and stories coming.

[dk1677]

Very nice shooting there Dave!

[Atchman2]

Hey, I'm not questioning you!  I'm just jealous!   For some reason doves in TN are migratory birds like ducks. 

[keith2324]

I travel quite a bit on business and this week I'm in Salt Lake City. I fly most of the time and I can't bring my guns. But you guys make me jealous with all of your game you manage to take. Good shooting!!!

Keith.

[Rico14]

Just looked on the laws, it is illegal to shoot migratory birds with air guns.  Oh well, there are plenty of other things to shoot with them.  

For doves it will be my beloved Remington 1148 20 gauge!

Here in CA, the Eurasian dove is not considered a migratory bird. You CAN shoot them with a pellet gun and there is NO limit on them.

[longislandhunter]

Fantastic shooting and super pics.  Those eurasian doves really are a lot bigger than the mourning dove, I had no idea they were so much bigger.   Great shooting, great harvest and a great dinner for a future day. 

Jeff