First Time Dove Hunting

[salish]

Hello,

I've been hunting upland birds for about 35 years but I've never hunted doves. I'd like to try it. I think the things in the past that intimidated me was finding locales and getting permissions from landowners, as it seems that most dove hunting is done on the peripheries of agricultural areas. What advice would you give a first time hunter for getting out there and finding a place to hunt?

Thank you,
Cliff

[92xj]

Find a power line, gravel, and water within 50 yards of each other and within eyesight of roosting trees.  Sit in the middle of the line, gravel and water.
Substitute gravel for a field with seed to have the same effect. 

[salish]

Find a power line, gravel, and water within 50 yards of each other and within eyesight of roosting trees.  Sit in the middle of the line, gravel and water.
Substitute gravel for a field with seed to have the same effect.

92xj, thank you very much, I appreciate the advice.
Cliff

[92xj]

I'd also recommend decoys
a few mojo doves and 6 or so stationary decoys suck them right in.  Place your kills belly down in the decoys after shooting.

[salish]

I'd also recommend decoys
a few mojo doves and 6 or so stationary decoys suck them right in.  Place your kills belly down in the decoys after shooting.

Thank you for the tips. For hunting in the scablands in the basin south of Moses Lake, would non-toxic shot be required for most areas?

[Woodchuck]

I have no clue on shot legality but whatever you take, take lots of it, they are humbling little buggers. 

[wadu1]

"Thank you for the tips. For hunting in the scablands in the basin south of Moses Lake, would non-toxic shot be required for most areas?" I believe non-toxic is required on State & Federal Lands, private you can use lead. As @Woodchuck said take lots of ammo and if you can practice at a Skeet range station 1 and station 7 would be the best choice. And if you shoot a 10gauge I have killer loads for doves 2 1/4 oz of #8.

[92xj]

non toxic shot is required for hunting of waterfowl.
non toxic shot is required for hunting of upland bird on all pheasant release sites in the state.
non toxic shot is required for dove hunting on release sites in the state.
Lead shot can be shot over water for doves NOT on a pheasant release site
Lead shot can be shot for doves public or private, federal or state lands.
Some refuges have non toxic requirements, pull their tear sheets for requirements.

[salish]

Thanks again for your suggestions and clarifications on the non-toxic shot.

[92xj]

Thanks again for your suggestions and clarifications on the non-toxic shot.

Whenever you decide to go to an area, check out the regs to make sure about the nontoxic vs lead shot.  Don't just go off of some random internet guys word, he doesn't know everything, so some claim...

[metlhead]

Just grab a case of steel 6s and never worry again.

[ASHQUACK]

I have no clue on shot legality but whatever you take, take lots of it, they are humbling little buggers. 

I shot my 1st 9 doves with 10 shells. Took me a box and a half for number 10. Humbling indeed.