Dove hunting

[asmith]

Looking forward to dove season starting soon!  I can't believe they extended the season and upped the bag limit this year!  So, if any of yall are over this way shoot me a message and we'll go out after those silver bullets!  Or, if you have an open seat let me know, I'm free every other week!  I don't have any honey holes, but I know a couple places that produce a few birds, and with how many more I've been seeing so far this year, things are looking up!

[Bill W]

I am surprised at the length of the season.  That's definitely thinking outside the box.

[Evil_EdwardO]

  Thanks for posting this. I can't wait to get started.

[Dhoey07]

Don't forget your migratory bird permit 

[Bill W]

doves are the exception to the migratory bird license.  Not needed.

[Evil_EdwardO]

doves are the exception to the migratory bird license.  Not needed.

Actually you do need the Migratory Bird Permit, you don't need the Migratory Bird Authorization.

[Bill W]

Oops.   I stand corrected.  Here is it from the pamphlet.

All hunters of migratory game birds (ducks, geese, doves, coots, and snipe) are required to complete a Harvest Information Program (HIP) survey at a license dealer and possess a state migratory bird permit as evidence of compliance with this requirement when hunting migratory game birds.

[asmith]

I waterfowl hunt too, so I always get it all anyway!

[rasbo]

I have to get time to get the regs,I bought a mojo dove for this year Im excited to try..Im seeing a lot of doves right now

[asmith]

I have never used a decoy for dove. Thats very interesting.  I've always just tried to find their fly area between roost and food/water, and just sit in the middle and blast them as they fly over.

[Evil_EdwardO]

Decoys work awesome. I first bought a wind driven one a couple of years ago and was definitely a dove magnet. Got a Mojo Voodoo dove last year and that had even more coming in. I bought a 2nd Mojo Voodoo dove for this upcoming season. I also have a few static decoys also.

[asmith]

So, how does one set up dove decoys?  Any certain pattern?  How many decoys you need?  This is a total new concept for me.

[Bill W]

I've used the mojo decoy for a couple of years now.  My problem with it is it needs to be high up.  The stand that comes with it is about 4' tall.  It needs to be more.  When I stuck it out in the back yard the doves seemed to be hypnotized by it.  When I had it out in the field they seemed to ignore it.

It does draw some by in a slow pass.  That is somewhat of an edge.   I've used silhouettes in the field and can't say if they work or not.

Most useful tool I've had in the field is a good seat and backrest.

[Evil_EdwardO]

Here is the picture of my set up last year from last years dove thread. This year I will have the wind driven one up about four feet and there will be one more Voodoo Dove. I've had the opposite experience with Bill. They just dart and dive in to the decoys. Some will land with the decoys and hang out. When I set up this year I will take another picture and post.

[Bill W]

Evil Edward inspired me so much I ordered a wind decoy and an 8 ft tall stand from Macks Prairie Wings.  They are having a small sale going on.   My previous issue I felt was my decoy wasn't high enough off the ground.    Now I'll have a wind decoy and an battery powered spinner.  Only bad thing is I will probably have to carry more shells as it should make my setup more productive.