Dove Hunting in the US

[Hunt anything]

Interesting.

As #9 shot and hybrids for a while were a "rage". Then not so much. Seems #7, #7
Several hunters that I know that reload shotgun shells, along with a few muzzleloading shotgunners have tried #9, and #9 + #7, 7-1/2, and/or #8 shot (Combination Hybrid loads). They all seem to have a concensus that #9 shot does too much damage, destroys, and] allows too many wounded birds to fly off and die, not being recovered. They have since gone back to their respective favorite load of #7, #7-1/2, or #8.

I keep my shots between 20 and 35 yds. Late in the year I’ll switch to 1 oz 7 1/2 high brass or if a lot of WW or EC doves are using the field. I generally kill between 150 - 200 doves a year and maybe 1 or 2 are shot up too much to eat and mostly my fault for taking a shot that’s too close. All are shot with my Savage 20 O/U. This what works best for me.
Many of the birds I see dusted are shot with light dove and quail loads. As someone else said the ammunition manufacturers best friend.

 

[Zinz]

Absolutely going out on Opening Day; probably somewhere here in Central Texas

Just got this Belgian Guild 16ga hammergun to add some spice to the hunt

Ed Z

 

[Ridge Runner]

I keep my shots between 20 and 35 yds. Late in the year I’ll switch to 1 oz 7 1/2 high brass or if a lot of WW or EC doves are using the field. I generally kill between 150 - 200 doves a year and maybe 1 or 2 are shot up too much to eat and mostly my fault for taking a shot that’s too close. All are shot with my Savage 20 O/U. This what works best for me.
Many of the birds I see dusted are shot with light dove and quail loads. As someone else said the ammunition manufacturers best friend.

Your choice of using a 20 gauge and choke could also be a factor limiting the amount of damage, number of wounded, and lost birds.

Most of us use 12 gauges with modified chokes and BP 10 gauges with open barrels and respectively light moderate and medium moderate powder charges. Those using BP 20 gauges, or equivalent, have long 30+" to 40", "swamp" barrels.
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About 3 or 4 years ago invited deer hunting buddy's 7 or 8 year old grandson on a dove hunt. The grandson had a single shot 410 he shot his first dove, and later that season his first squirrels with it. The next season and since when he is with me he gets to use a 28 gauge semi auto.

Yes....I will admit that that little 28 gauge is fun to use and I do use it occasionally for dove and small game.

I nor anyone that I dove hunt with has ever tried #9 shot in either of those two forementioned gauges.

Sudden thought....

Considering: closer shot ranges, less powerful, less number of pellets, the 410 and 28 gauges might work better using #9 shot.

Has any member used or know anyone that uses a 28 gauge for dove hunting?

What size shot is used?

At what distances?

 

[Doubleplay]

Your choice of using a 20 gauge and choke could also be a factor limiting the amount of damage, number of wounded, and lost birds.

Most of us use 12 gauges with modified chokes and BP 10 gauges with open barrels and respectively light moderate and medium moderate powder charges. Those using BP 20 gauges, or equivalent, have long 30+" to 40", "swamp" barrels.
_____________________________________________

About 3 or 4 years ago invited deer hunting buddy's 7 or 8 year old grandson on a dove hunt. The grandson had a single shot 410 he shot his first dove, and later that season his first squirrels with it. The next season and since when he is with me he gets to use a 28 gauge semi auto.

Yes....I will admit that that little 28 gauge is fun to use and I do use it occasionally for dove and small game.

I nor anyone that I dove hunt with has ever tried #9 shot in either of those two forementioned gauges.

Sudden thought....

Considering: closer shot ranges, less powerful, less number of pellets, the 410 and 28 gauges might work better using #9 shot.

Has any member used or know anyone that uses a 28 gauge for dove hunting?

What size shot is used?

At what distances?

I shot doves with a 28 gauge and pick my shots carefully and don’t sky bust. It’s more than enough gun for doves.

 

[Doubleplay]

For me and my son season started early in Bloemfontein South Africa two days ago. We shot close to 40 doves in an hour and quit.
We could have shot a lot more.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I shot doves with a 28 gauge and pick my shots carefully and don’t sky bust. It’s more than enough gun for doves.

What size shot do you use?

 

[HankBuck]

Interesting.

As #9 shot and hybrids for a while were a "rage". Then not so much. Seems #7, #7-1/2, and #8 are back on top for dove and quail.

Several hunters that I know that reload shotgun shells, along with a few muzzleloading shotgunners have tried #9, and #9 + #7, 7-1/2, and/or #8 shot (Combination Hybrid loads). They all seem to have a concensus that #9 shot does too much damage, destroys, and] allows too many wounded birds to fly off and die, not being recovered. They have since gone back to their respective favorite load of #7, #7-1/2, or #8.

@Ridge Runner - is it just Me or does anyone else think that we (AfricaHunting.com) might tend to “Over analyize” just a bit TOO MUCH. Maybe it’s that Safari Season is Not yet in full swing? So Now, we’ve got to develop the Perfect Dove load? Because a bird that weighs 5 ozs and is protected by a “puff” of Downey Feathers must be approached with caution. [[ I‘m actually quilty of doing the same thing !!]]

 

[BB416]

Here in central NC, we have had a social opening day hunt at a friends farm for about 20 y. Usually hunt opening day with a 28 ga W. Richards loaded with 3/4 oz #8. This year will be trying my new Stephen Grant 12 ga sidelever with 1 oz # 8. A typical setup for me on opening day:

 

[Altitude sickness]

Hank, what else are we going to blame it on when it takes so many shells to

 

[Philip Glass]

In about a month, I’ll be back in Seymour, Texas hunting doves with my buddy @Jeff505 and several more friends. The early dove season is the start of our high social season. This year, I’ll take my tried and true Winchester Model 101 12 gauge, and a newly acquired Rizzini BR 550 side by side 20 guage that I bought at the Tulsa gun show in April. As I get older, the joy of hunting with real friends becomes more important than the bag. However, I’m expecting a fantastic shoot this year. Seymour has already exceeded its annual rainfall average! There’s plenty of grain and seeds.

Anyone else planning to shoot “at” doves in a few weeks?

Y'all with slaughter them up there!
We have a family tradition of hunting dove at least on Labor Day weekend. I am not in a great dove hunting area with little cultivation nearby. We do have a partially grazed out wheat field that will hold a few birds. You have to work for it to get a limit here but I can usually get 'er done!