Hunting Mourning Doves by Jelena Leger

Dove hunting is an exciting sport. Getting together several hunters in one field that is an active feeding ground results in an eventful hunt. However, it is illegal in some states to hunt mourning doves so be sure to check local laws. Some states and counties only allow hunting in the afternoon as well. Planning a hunt is not difficult but requires some work.



The best way to ensure a successful hunt is to find a popular feeding or watering source. These two may even be close together. Watch local fields for dove activity. Doves tend to feed early in the morning and in the mid to late afternoon before going to roost. Look for flocks gathering in fields or on power lines overhanging fields. Fields that have just been harvested make for great food sources. Doves flock to these fields if hunting has been restricted there. In the days before the hunt, check out these fields to see if there is any activity.



Once a busy field has been identified, contact the land owner to get permission to hunt there. Once permission has been secured, call several hunters to get in on the action. Of course a hunter may hunt alone but the chances to shoot at birds may not be as numerous. A field full of hunters scatter the birds as they come in allowing for most everyone to get a shot.



In areas where hunting is allowed in the morning, doves start flying just before sunrise. Hunters should be in place before this time and be ready to shoot. Doves are harder to see in the early morning and so are other people so be careful about shooting until visibility is better. In the afternoon, doves return to feed. Afternoon hunts are best in fields that were not hunted that morning. As a flock comes in one or two hunters in range shoot and the birds scatter so be aware and ready to shoot. These birds can see well so hunters should be in some cover such as weeds or have very good camouflage clothes. Hay bales if present offer great shelter.



Hunting mourning doves is a lot of fun but planning a hunt does take a little time. Be sure to buy plenty of shotgun shells because on a good hunt, three to four boxes will be used easily. Also be careful not to shoot a neighboring hunter. Keep all of this in mind on the next hunt and if the scout was paying attention in the days before, be ready to have a ball.


Jelena Leger is a happily married mother of four. She has been marketing on the web since 2008 and has enjoyed the outdoors most of her life. Find deals on bottom freezer refrigerators.


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