The most abundant game bird in the United States provides fast-paced hunting action and tasty bite-sized appetizers for the table. Dove season begins when temperatures are mild and very little gear is required, which means it’s the perfect time to introduce new hunters to the sport.
The Mourning dove remains the most popular of the species. They are incredibly widespread, thrive in various habitats, and their ability to maintain large populations makes them highly accessible. Mourning doves acquired their name because their haunting, low-pitched cooing sounds like a mournful lament. The call is sometimes mistaken for an owl's hoot. Although the mourning dove is favored, white-winged and Eurasian collared doves are also hunted in certain areas.
Mourning dove
- Grayish-brown
- More rapid wing beat, erratic flight path than white-winged dove
- 12 inches from tip of beak to end of tail
- Black spots
- Long, pointed tail
White winged dove
- Grayish-brown
- Slightly larger than mourning dove
- White wing patch
- Long, moderately rounded tail
Eurasian collared dove
- Gray
- 15 inches from tip of beak to end of tail
- Think black band on neck with white upper border
- Long, squared tail
- Increasingly common, especially in urban areas and grain-handling facilities
- Invasive species
Locating dove
Areas with mature trees, water sources and fields with exposed seeds can be attractive to doves, especially near feeding areas. Many states offer public land for dove hunting, but it's crucial to check regulations.
Timing
The first day of September kicks off the hunting season. Doves are most active during the early morning and late afternoon. Hunters looking for a different hunting experience may consider hunting later in the season. High traffic hunting the first week often scares doves from feeding fields; less disturbance at the end of the season encourages late arrivals and less traffic.
Tips
Doves can see color; their vision is particularly sensitive to blues and greens. Wear lightweight, breathable clothing in drab colors or camouflage to blend in with the environment. Movement is the primary reason doves get spooked, so plan to settle in on a comfy five-gallon bucket. Set up along flight paths between feeding and watering areas. Walk along field edges, tree lines, and fence rows, flushing doves into the air. A lot of walking is involved, so invest in a good pair of boots and a backpack. Doves can scatter unexpectedly, so be ready to shoot quick. A vest suitable for carrying your day’s catch is optimal.
Guns
A shotgun that feels comfortable and fits well and is essential for accurate shooting. Consider the recoil of the shotgun, especially if you plan to hunt for extended periods. Choose a gauge that matches your hunting style and experience. 7.5 or 8 shot shells are recommended for a clean kill.
12 Gauge: A versatile and powerful gauge, often used for dove hunting due to its stopping power and ability to handle a variety of loads.
20 Gauge: Lighter and with less recoil than the 12 gauge, the 20 gauge is a good choice for those who prefer a lighter gun or are sensitive to recoil.
Semi-automatic shotguns: Offer quick follow-up shots, which can be advantageous in this fast-paced environment.
Over/under shotguns: Known for their safety features, as they are carried open and cannot be accidentally discharged.
Pump-action shotguns: Reliable and affordable, but require manual operation for each shot.
A choke and shotgun plug are highly recommended. Cylinder and improved cylinder chokes are solid choices because they create a wider shot pattern (30–35-yard). More constrictive chokes (modified and full) are better for long-range shots, but require better close-range accuracy and often results in ripping apart the bird. Your shotgun's tubular magazine must be plugged to hold no more than three shells for migratory bird hunting. It is illegal to hunt migratory game birds with a shotgun that can hold more than three shells, unless you plug it with a one-piece filler that cannot be removed without disassembling the gun.
Decoys are used together in a spread to mimic a flock of foraging or socializing doves, increasing their effectiveness by drawing curious birds into the effective shooting range. Combining stationary decoys with motion or "spinner" decoys is particularly effective, as the motion attracts birds from a distance while the stationary ones provide the appearance of a feeding party. Spreading out decoys in small groups or pairs also creates a more natural and inviting appearance.
A static decoy is a stationary replica of a bird used to lure real birds into a specific area by mimicking a safe and occupied feeding or resting spot. A static decoy relies on its realistic visual appearance and the large numbers in a "spread" to create the illusion of a flock.
A motion decoy is a hunting tool that incorporates a mechanism (battery powered or remote control) to simulate natural movement, such as spinning wings, water ripples, or body shifts. Active decoys enhance the realism of a static decoy spread.
Field preparation
When preparing a dove field, it's crucial to understand the legal definition of baiting and ensure your field preparation aligns with regulations. Manipulating a field through planting or harvesting is generally legal, but scattering seeds as a primary attractant can be considered baiting.
Agricultural crops, other feed, and natural vegetation may be manipulated to improve dove hunting. Manipulation means the alteration of natural vegetation or agricultural crops by activities such as mowing, shredding, dicing, rolling, chopping, trampling, flattening, burning, or herbicide treatments. Manipulation does not include the distributing or scattering of seeds, grains, or other feed after removal from or storage on the field where grown.
Federal and state wildlife agencies set hunting seasons, daily bag limits, and possession limits to manage dove populations and provide hunting opportunities. Federal migratory game bird hunting regulations are established annually by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hunters should always check with their state wildlife department for specific regulations before hunting. A violation of a State migratory game bird regulation is also a violation of Federal regulations.
- Hunter’s must enroll in the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) and carry proof of enrollment
- Federal law prohibits the killing of non-game migratory birds
- Use of any motor vehicle, motor-driven land vehicle, or aircraft is strictly prohibited (paraplegics may hunt from stationary cars or other stationary motor-driven land vehicles).
- Migratory game birds can only be hunted during designated seasons and hours
- Only one daily bag limit per day. This limit determines the number of doves you can have in your possession while in the field or in route to your destination.
- A reasonable attempt must be made to retrieve all doves that are killed or crippled. These birds must be in hunter’s custody while in the field. Any wounded birds must be immediately killed, retrieved and counted toward your daily bag limit. Birds must remain in hunter’s possession while in the field. Birds cannot be given to another person in the field regardless of being properly tagged.
- Migratory game birds must not be in the custody of another person unless they are tagged with signature, address, number of birds, species, and date of death.
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) affects hunters by prohibiting the unauthorized take (killing, capturing, or possessing) of protected migratory birds but also establishes the legal framework for regulated hunting seasons and methods, ensuring that hunting can only occur under permits and during specific, authorized times.
The Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act was signed into law on March 16, 1934, to provide funds for the acquisition and protection of migratory bird habitats within the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Act requires waterfowl hunters aged 16 and older to purchase an annual Federal migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp ("Duck Stamp"). The revenue from these stamp sales has funded the protection of over six million acres of wetlands and other habitats.
Hunter license and permit fees are a major source of funding for state wildlife conservation programs, including habitat management. Wildlife agencies and hunters manage land specifically to create suitable dove habitats. These habitats also benefit other wildlife species. Dove hunting is a traditional cultural event that is passed on to following generations. Eliminating hunting would not only eliminate this social activity, but agencies would lose funding, and habitat management would likely decrease.
Sources
https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/species/dove/getting-started-dove-hunting
https://www.wideopenspaces.com/dove-hunting/
https://reconnectwithnature.org/news-events/the-buzz/facts-need-know-about-mourning-doves/