If possible, practice shooting a few clays from a sitting position before the season. Going away: When a dove comes in from behind you and passes in front of you, use a front lead to catch up to it. Envision floating the bird on your gun barrel as you press the trigger. Straight-away shot. Focus on one bird and stick with it until it falls. Coming in: When a dove is descending over decoys or about to land on a fence, power line, crop field, etc.
Just as the gun barrel blocks the bird from sight, hit the trigger. Begin your swing below an incoming bird and shoot when your barrel blots it out. Try spacing four or five decoys out and double up a pair or two. No pattern is necessary. Doves that have survived the onslaught of the first two weeks will tend to be spookier because they have learned that food sources could mean their ultimate doom.
As for proper shot sizes, doves are not difficult to bring down if hit squarely. It takes only a few pellets to down doves. Hunters should concentrate on using smaller shot sizes which offer more pellets and create dense patterns, which are effective on fast-moving birds. Dove hunters should stick to smaller shot sizes — No. During the early dove season, a good shot shell is No.
However, these shells do pack enough punch for those early September gray birds. Heavier loads allow for longer shots, so as the season progresses hunters can switch to loading No.
The smaller No. Choosing the proper shot size can make a difference in the number of doves harvested. Wingshooters have been waiting since the season ended back in January, so selecting a good choke and shot-shell combination is important. One final note: dove hunters need to check the regulations for the specific area being hunted.
Although most areas allow the use of lead shot, there is a growing trend in some wildlife management areas to require the use of non-toxic shot loads steel, Bismuth , Tungsten. Non-toxic loads are more expensive than lead loads, so compare prices. Clearly, dove hunters will hit more birds with a skeet choke pattern than with a tighter full choke pattern.
The concept of shotgun patterns and how they are affected by choke was best described by the late Robert Ruark in his classic book The Old Man and the Boy, written long before interchangeable choke tubes. Spread a little on the threads every time you screw choke tubes into your barrel.
The lubricant keeps tubes from seizing up when the barrel gets hot and are easier to remove. For most shooters, a skeet choke is best for early season doves and an improved-cylinder choke is second best. When stocking up on shotgun shells for dove season, buy shells loaded either with No.
These smaller-sized pellets create a dense pattern, which is effective on fast-moving birds. The smaller No. If doves are raining into a field and numbers of hunters are shooting, then the shot will fall on you all day.
Hearing becomes a critical ingredient in the dove field as you listen for the wing beats of the doves coming in from behind you before you see them; other hunters shooting to determine the direction from which the birds will come; and hunters shouting and telling you about approaching doves that you haven't spotted.
But if you shoot a lot, you can damage your hearing, if you're not wearing some form of ear protection. Even the small, foam inserts that can be placed in your ears protect you from hearing loss. I recommend you use them. Wear Mossy Oak camouflage from head to toe, and try to sit in the shade at a dove shoot.
Doves can detect movement. By being completely camouflaged, even when I do have to move to bring my gun to my shoulder or to reposition myself for a shot, the doves are not as likely to spot me. The worst thing you can wear in a dove field is a solid white shirt or any solid colored shirt. Doves can see solid blocks of color more easily than they can broken patches of color. To take more doves, be sure you're camouflaged. There is a chance the mosquitos will still be quite active during those September dove hunts, so you may want to try apparel with built in insect repellent.
And with that heat, you'll also want light, breathable material for your clothing, dove vest and headwear. Dove hunters often use stools or buckets to sit on during the hunt.
It's not just a matter of camouflaging the hunter, you want to camouflage as much of your gear as possible. And pay attention to shiny objects like watches, jewelry of belt buckles.
You may want to wear and easily adjustable, plastic buckle belt in a neutral color. An alternative to the dove vest that may be more comfortable is belt for dove hunting that has pockets attached. Break-Up Country. Elements Agua. Elements Terra. Shadow Grass Habitat. Explore All Patterns.
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