Smart Hunter Game Knowledge Page

Dove hunting is great fun.  An early fall season, fast action, lots of shooting, and a real delicious treat when the day is done.  Shotguns used are mostly 12 and 20 gauge.  Number 8 birdshot or heavy dove shot is sufficient.  Look for fields with lots of waste grain or wild sunflowers.  The dove is a noble and numerous bird and once you try dove hunting you will never get enough.
Wild Turkey Page
Dove Hunting Tips

The Dove

Common Names: Mourning Dove, Turtle Dove, Carolina Dove
For Whitewing Dove: Whitewing, Sonora Dove, Sonora Pigeon

Habitat: All Habitats except wetlands and dense forests.

Nesting: Nest of  flimsy twigs and sticks at least 5 foot above the 
     ground in trees or building ledges            

Reproduction: From 2 to 6 broods a year of 2 white eggs. 
      Incubation about 15 days. Young leave the nest about 2 weeks 
      after hatching.  While in the nest the young are fed a substance
      called "pigeon milk” produced from glands in the parent’s crop.
      The adult opens its mouth wide so the young can stick its head
      deep inside to feast.            

Food: Prefers seeds and waste grains, occasionally insects.            

Range: Southern tip of the Alaskan coastline and throughout the
      continental United States.            

Sex Identification:  Males have longer tail feathers, are slightly larger
      than females, and have an iridescent sheen around its neck.
              
Flight Identification:  The birds almost never stop flapping their wings
      while in flight. Other birds will glide for short periods the Dove 
      never does.  The wings are set at a rakish angle and the Dove use
      landmarks to navigate so set up near small bushes and fence lines
      when possible.  Doves often use established flight paths so
      scouting can be beneficial.  Doves fly mainly between 35 and 40
      mph but can burst up to 60 mph.  They are capable of very quick
      aerobatic maneuvers and will always abruptly jink when the see 
      hunters.      
Best Hunting Situations:  Hunt doves in groups of 4 to 20 hunters.  
     Camouflage is desirable but not necessary for success.  Partial
     concealment near a bush, small tree, or hay bale is good strategy.
     Spread out along landmarks to cover a wide feed plot or grain
     field.  Doves fly most from sunrise to around 10 am and from 4 PM 
     to early sundown.  Stock ponds and other water sources close to
     feeding plots and grain fields with large nesting trees nearby
     would be ideal.  Daily bag limits and shooting hours are regulated
     by states since Doves are migratory.                  

Best Gun: Hunted mostly with modified choke 12 and 20 gauge 
     shotguns. Three shell plug is often required by hunting regulation.