Mourning Doves 2023

[hunterednate]

What are you eastside guys seeing lately in terms of bird numbers? Anyone else getting out for the opener?

[Henrydog]

Dropped my kid off at WSU last week and saw some random birds but nothing of note. 

[C-Money]

The wheat field across from my house is loaded. To bad I can't seem to get the leaser to give me access. All in all, I think there are plenty of birds around. Should be a good average year.

[boneaddict]

I've only seen one MD all year, now as for those flying rotiserre chickens known as collared doves, thats a different story

[Timberstalker]

Gobs of them in North Franklin County.

[UplandSetter]

I've only seen one MD all year, now as for those flying rotiserre chickens known as collared doves, thats a different story

Are those collared doves really that tasty? I feel like I've heard from a friend that they're actually pretty tasty, but it's a fuzzy memory. But rotisserie chicken is pretty good...if so I might have to start shooting.

[asmith]

I hope to get out and find some.  Been seeing a decent amount flying around, nothing to spectacular.

Im afraid this storm and cooler weather will push a lot south, as seems to happen every year.

[300rum]

From what I have been seeing, it's actually really bad.  Very few MD's sounding off this year, collared doves everywhere.  I don't know if it is the weather that we had the last couple of weeks?  I think it's more than that though.  Sad deal.   

I've only seen one MD all year, now as for those flying rotiserre chickens known as collared doves, thats a different story

[boneaddict]

Its more in reference to their size compared to a dove, and if I was starving there aren't alot of pidgeons in the Wenas   I dont eat them.  My cats like them but they won't eat a starling

[rainshadow1]

I think collared doves taste pretty good. I've eaten a couple, my kids have eaten a couple, the dogs like to fetch them....

I've seen more MD's this year than before, but that isn't saying much, and I would honestly hesitate to shoot them, just in hopes that their numbers grow.

The collared are moving in hard, and I'd encourage anyone to target those. The prospect of them running the MD out of house and home is very real.

Easily 1 MD to 10 CD, or wider.

Problem is, the CD's tend to prefer wires and buildings to the fields and trees, so it's harder to get good places to shoot them. (I myself have upgraded the air rifle collection......)

[burritosupreme2]

I'm going on opening day, And if I can get 1, I will be very happy. If I can't well maybe I will try going dove hunting at lake Cresent in Monroe  lol.

[C-Money]

I drove through the heart of dry land wheat yesterday. I didn't see very many doves out that way. There is sure a bunch at my place, but honestly, it was pretty thin around the wheat stubble I drove by.

[digger13]

Schedule to hunt Moses Lake area Fri/Sat

Worried that recent up and down temps in past 2 weeks will have driven some out

Rain by mid week too

We'll see, fingers crossed

[pianoman9701]

Lots of collared doves here in the Couve. A 20G can't be any louder than the stupid muffler bangs going all day and night.

[10mmg]

Just a crap ton of asian doves in Moses. 30 asian 26 mourning doves for 2 guys this morning.  I have never seen so many of the invasive species as this year.

[C-Money]

We had a pretty fun opening morning!

[pianoman9701]

Nice looking bag!

[Pnwrider]

This year was so much better than last year. Should have been done in less than an hour but let’s blame the choke on the shotgun

[digger13]

Very similar experience to 10mmg

A ton of collared running through near Royal City and Quincy areas

Limits both days on Mourning, a really fun time

Dove hunting in the rain for 9/1 was a first for me

[Frostbite]

I shot a limit on Sat, the 2nd near Othello.  All mourning doves, no eurasians.

[digger13]

Sharing with you my favorite recipe for dove preparation

https://www.seriouseats.com/spicy-lamb-skewers-cumin-recipe

Substitute boneless dove breast for the lamb

[Kola16]

I did a week long road trip through Oregon, Idaho, and Washington. Easily saw hundreds of collard doves. Think I saw less than 20 mourning doves. My buddy in Ketchikan says they have even been getting collard doves up there

[hunterednate]

Thanks for all the reports, guys. My bro-in-law and I got the boys out for a couple hours on the afternoon of the opener and a couple hours the next morning. Not a ton of doves around but we scratched out 9 the first day and 8 the second. Lots of fun for the boys and the dads.

[hunterednate]

All mourning doves. And the bacon mango dove skewers my wife made when we got home were amazing. Huge hit with the kids.