Dove hunting.

[Hookeye]

Oh yeah, after all these yrs and hundreds of doves ....got my first band.

SWEET!

 

[hps]

Oh yeah, after all these yrs and hundreds of doves ....got my first band.

SWEET!

DAMN!! Good for you!!

 

[Hookeye]

Honestly havent really checked until last decade. But am pretty observant and this may be the first ever, not just first discovered LOL
Banded yr before in same area.
Gotta run and get ink to get my certificate printed in color. Saved as PDF and not CFM, as source was. Had to convert on printer tab. So took me a minute to figure out how to save it for future print out. Just a heads up on that.

 

[hoosierdaddy1976]

The only dove band I have. Got it on a hunt at Willow Slough 16 years ago with my Grandpa and Uncle, both of whom have passed. It's a nice reminder I get to see every day.

 

[Hookeye]

Haven't gotten a goose or duck w a band, aint shot nearly as many of those LOL

 

[hoosierdaddy1976]

I have a wood duck band on my lanyard somewhere. Got it in 2001, don't do much waterfowl hunting anymore.

 

[Hookeye]

I mostly hunted geese in the nuisance season, so proly most resident - doubt they band the local poop patrol

 

[66chevelle]

I did not know they banded doves. That is cool

 

[ditcherman]

The guy at my LGS that sold me shells told me he’s heard that 1 dove per box might be the going rate.
So if I got 7 doves with 3 boxes I figure I’m batting at least 50%, that’s pretty good.
Two buddies limited out and 1 had 10 so a fun evening, especially if you own stock in a shell company.
We’ll try it again in the morning.

 

[Hookeye]

Thought about trying to redeem myself but just laid around the house w orange cat.

Back and shoulder jacked up Friday at work. Yesterday's hunt just delayed recovery.

Lot of time, effort and expense to hope for 10 birds w 50 percent shooting.....IF the spot I saw yesterday acted the same.

 

[hps]

10 this eve w/19 shells! i was on fire

 

[cg21]

How much of a disadvantage would I be putting myself at if I were to switch to 20g? Having a hard time sourcing steelshot for the 12 every year.

 

[hoosierdaddy1976]

How much of a disadvantage would I be putting myself at if I were to switch to 20g? Having a hard time sourcing steelshot for the 12 every year.

Minimal. I don't think I've ever taken my 12g out for doves. Even with steel shot it only takes a few hits (3-4 pellets) to bring one down.

 

[66chevelle]

How much of a disadvantage would I be putting myself at if I were to switch to 20g? Having a hard time sourcing steelshot for the 12 every year.

I have used both and miss them either way. Lol. I was at dunhams in Anderson yesterday and they had some steel shot in stock. 2 3/4”, 3”, and 3 1/2”. They also had 2 cases of fast dove but i bought them.

 

[Hookeye]

Private ground and lead, i like a 20.ga just fine. Used to limit out w an 870 special field 20 ga. Tricky. 1100 was way easier w 30" bbl ( bust em out farther ).

The special field was fast so if i got in a hurry i missed out front. Took a couple days to learn that.

Even w steel I had a good day running an imp cyl Sportsman 58 one year.

But IMHO a 28" remchoke LT1100 in 20.is THE dove gun.

 

[Mij]

Private ground and lead, i like a 20.ga just fine. Used to limit out w an 870 special field 20 ga. Tricky. 1100 was way easier w 30" bbl ( bust em out farther ).

The special field was fast so if i got in a hurry i missed out front. Took a couple days to learn that.

Even w steel I had a good day running an imp cyl Sportsman 58 one year.

But IMHO a 28" remchoke LT1100 in 20.is THE dove gun.

Still shooting my old REM. Mod. 11 20 ga. with polychoke and lead reloads from 20 years ago. Getting about 6 birds a box.

 

[Hookeye]

Normally run 50% no matter what gun I use.
Trim but not too light, an LT1100 20 ga is about perfect for me.
Jump to a reg full size 1100 12 ga and it seems too easy.
Ive run Magnum 1100s w 1250 FPS lead and 1100 Trap models, both having recoil pads.
Had a reg 1100 w synth and 26" and it was a little too light.
Liked the pad on the synth stock but needed to add some weight IMHO.
Prefer 28" bbl to 26".

This yr I ran my 870 Supermag Turkey model, but swapped in a 26" bbl.
The 23" turkey model has limited out and been top gun in yrs past.....but am older and need more help these days. Esp since I hunt maybe twice every 2 yrs now.

Sure would like a nice overunder 20 ga. Even for as little as I hunt/shoot (maybe use on bunnies too ). But dang if a cheap ol 870 doesn't work very well for me (standard dims fit me).

Dunno if cheaper guns working good is a blessing, or a curse LOL

 

[BigRed]

Where are the pics of the harvest?

 

[66chevelle]

I have to admit I like dove hunting better then rabbit and squirrels. I think I am more excited for 12/17 than Christmas. I forgot to post these from back in mid September.

 

[Dwight]

I have to admit I like dove hunting better then rabbit and squirrels. I think I am more excited for 12/17 than Christmas. I forgot to post these from back in mid September.

Today was a blast. Tons of birds moving around. The dogs had a great day too!