By Steve Comus
For those heading east of the Colorado River for dove hunts this season, the open desert areas in Southern Arizona around Tucson are seeing an interesting phenomenon this year.
Due to an unusual steady stream of monsoon rains almost daily over the recent weeks, the doves are spread widely throughout the region. This normally would be bad news, but because of the high number of doves, it is good news because they are continuing to fly most of the day, especially when there is overcast, which has been common.
On more normal years, a heavy monsoon in the days before the opener can send the doves in general, and whitewings in particular, south of the border into Mexico. But that wasn’t happening this year – perhaps because the string of storms was warm.
There is a lot of open public land in southern Arizona, much of it state trust land where a valid hunting license is all it takes for access. Also, there is a lot of other federal government land that is open.
Regardless of where the hunt is to be, what is the right gun/ammo combination for success? The good thing is that it is hard to go wrong, so long as both the gun and ammo are legal for the area being hunted.
ammo, a few decoys and a dove box that holds more ammo, water,
snacks and insect repellant, as well as headlamp, knife and plastic bags
to carry downed birds.
For those who want a dove-specific shotgun, the 20-gauge makes the most sense because of light weight and handling dynamics. The smaller gauges also work fine, but often it is more difficult to find 28-gauge or .410 bore ammo.
If the idea is to have a gun for general use, the 12-guage is the obvious overall choice. With any gauge, shot size for doving generally ranges from No. 8 through No. 6 for lead or No. 7 or 8 for steel.
Because of price, it is doubtful that many hunters would opt for tungsten super shot (TSS), but should that be an option, go for No. 9 shot.
Barrel length for doving is somewhat irrelevant, so long as it is long enough to be legal. Typically, dove guns sport barrels ranging from 26 to 30 inches.
What’s the best choke? For open area doving, improved cylinder or modified are the best bets, depending on the way the birds are flying on a specific day.
For example, if they are flying low and close, IC is the name of the game. If they are flying higher and/or a little farther out, then modified is in order. When in doubt, go for modified and be ready for doves at about any sane distance (out to 40 or 50 yards).
What kind of gun is best for doves? The one in hand, actually. It really doesn’t matter and is a personal thing for the individual hunter.
For most folks, pumps or semi-autos are the way to go, both because they generally happen to have one and because they handle well. Both types are affordably available.
They all work, so it is up to the personal preferences of the individual hunter.
However, when using such repeaters, make certain that the gun can hold no more than three shells because doves are migratory birds and that’s the federal law.
Double guns, both side-by-sides and over/unders, are great for doving and can afford the hunter a quick choice of choke if the barrels have different choking. That means the gun is always ready for close or far birds. Very handy.
I usually use a single shot, not because I am a really good shot, but because over the years it has become evident that I rarely hit a dove on the second or third shot.
The only times when a single shot is lacking are when the doves are swarming in ways that quick first shots at different birds are possible. Yet during those flurries, it can be hard to keep a repeater loaded, so not a lot is lost with a single shot.
Regardless the type of gun, the idea is to hit the birds as they fly, sometimes erratically, through the air. Accomplished gunners have little problems doing this, but for many, it can be a real challenge.
There are two things to keep in mind. First, the gun must move in the same line as the bird and second, the shot needs to go where the bird will be when the pellets reach the bird, not where the bird is when the shot is taken.
This means there needs to be a lead ahead of the bird as the gun continues to swing (don’t stop the swing, because the bird won’t stop, and the shot will miss behind the bird).
Since doves don’t always fly at the same speed and since they fly at all angles, it can be beneficial to come from behind the dove and, keeping the gun moving, swing through the bird, releasing the shot as the swing goes ahead of the bird.
The speed and angle of the bird will determine how far ahead of the bird the swing needs to be when the shot is taken. When in doubt, give more lead because most missed shots on doves are misses because the shot is behind the bird.
If the birds are flaring beyond shot distances, they are seeing the hunter – usually they see the movement more than just the hunter sitting or standing.
Camo clothing, etc. can help, but it is best to use a tree or bush to make the hunter less visible and obvious. If there are no handy bushes or trees, remain as motionless as a statue until it is time for the shot.
other hunters, or a ground dove may be flying by, and they are not legal
to shoot. This is about as low as a dove shot should be.
One hint here that can help when birds are spotted coming in from distance is to wait until the moment of the shot to mount then gun. If the gun is mounted prematurely, the dove can see the movement of the gun as it swings toward the flight path.
This means to watch the bird(s) approach and that the very last moment, mount the gun and shoot the bird in one fluid move.
Which brings up another thought. When doves are flying in groups, don’t “flock shoot” them. Pick out a single dove, focus on it and shoot it. Once that shot is taken, look for other birds if they are still around, but chances are, they will be gone.
The secret to filling the bag is to engage doves, one bird at a time. Don’t get anxious and impatient, and that means don’t bother to take very long shots when the birds are out of range.
It can be handy to place dove decoys at about 30 yards from the shooting position. They serve as markers – birds at or closer than the decoys are in range, and those beyond the decoys are not.
Dove hunting is a lot of fun, so be safe. Know where other hunters are and don’t shoot in their direction. Don’t shoot at extremely low-flying doves (can be both unsafe and ground doves that only fly very low are not legal to shoot anyway).
Have fun. Be safe. Shoot straight and often.