Doves in the Palouse

[YoungFowler]

Well I just moved to Moscow for college, and I'm spending my free time driving the roads on the WA side looking for birds. I'm really a waterfowler and was planning on trying to hunt early goose, but found that resident geese in the region seem to be nonexistent so I'm turning my early season focus on doves. I'm finding birds but they are really scattered and the only concentrations I can find are collared doves near houses and barns. Does "running traffic" work for doves like it does waterfowl or do I have to be on the spot? I have a pull string duck decoy that I could probably use to draw attention. I might be way off and am thinking of this in too much of a waterfowl mindset, but any advise would be appreciated. Thanks, Ben

[700xcr]

It is legal in the State of Washington to use battery operated decoys for doves and pigeons. Sportsman Warehouse has the Mojo Voodoo Dove decoys for 34.99 plus tax apiece. I have 3 of them and getting the 4 next week. I have the Mojo dove tree and the extended Mojo mud poles to put them on, Then I have a dozen Lucky clip on decoys. I may get 4 Mojo dove flickers to simulate doves feeding on ground. I am hunting by the Columbia river and slough next to some Russian Olive trees where they roost. Also have R&R tracks by where rail cars leak wheat on track. Also if you can scout some wheat fields then follow them to a water source and roosting area you should get plenty of shooting. Remember 15 morning doves a day but Eurasian Doves and Pigeons have no limit and they can be hunted year around. Also check to make sure you use non-toxic shot in State pheasant release areas and some Core Of Engineer Land. Best of luck to you! 

[YoungFowler]

Thank you! That is great to know about mojos, I had assumed they were grouped in with waterfowl but that will be really useful and I'll order one right now. I'll continue trying to pattern them and find the best spot to intercept them.

[700xcr]

Thank you! That is great to know about mojos, I had assumed they were grouped in with waterfowl but that will be really useful and I'll order one right now. I'll continue trying to pattern them and find the best spot to intercept them.

I thought so too, but talked with Game Law Enforcement and doves are classified as migratory bird and not waterfowl.

[nwwanderer]

Quite a bunch in the north palouse, remember the migratory part, they come and go pretty fast.  Find some canola fields, they may not be harvested yet.  Doves really love it and it should be harvested by the opener.

[YoungFowler]

Good to know! I'll keep an eye out for canola fields and make sure to hunt hard before a cold snap clears 'em out.

[WSU]

I never found great hunting but always found enough to have fun. Look for trees and water too.

[Lady Grouse hunter]

SHOOT ALL THE EURASION COLLER DOVES ONE CAN BUT one must have that small game ticket in hand!

[700xcr]

SHOOT ALL THE EURASION COLLER DOVES ONE CAN BUT one must have that small game ticket in hand!

One must have small game license or big game license like forest grouse or coyote.