Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: asmith on August 17, 2015, 02:30:22 PM

Title: Dove hunting
Post by: asmith on August 17, 2015, 02:30:22 PM: 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!
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Bill W on August 17, 2015, 02:51:26 PM: I am surprised at the length of the season. That's definitely thinking outside the box.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Evil_EdwardO on August 17, 2015, 03:06:27 PM: :drool: Thanks for posting this. I can't wait to get started.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Dhoey07 on August 17, 2015, 03:09:39 PM: Don't forget your migratory bird permit :tup:
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Bill W on August 17, 2015, 03:11:18 PM: doves are the exception to the migratory bird license. Not needed.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Evil_EdwardO on August 17, 2015, 03:14:31 PM: Quote from: Bill W on August 17, 2015, 03:11:18 PM
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.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Bill W on August 17, 2015, 03:19:13 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: asmith on August 17, 2015, 03:20:04 PM: I waterfowl hunt too, so I always get it all anyway!
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: rasbo on August 19, 2015, 05:06:00 AM: 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
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: asmith on August 19, 2015, 10:36:30 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Evil_EdwardO on August 19, 2015, 10:58:48 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: asmith on August 19, 2015, 11:29:43 AM: So, how does one set up dove decoys? Any certain pattern? How many decoys you need? This is a total new concept for me.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Bill W on August 19, 2015, 11:43:00 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Evil_EdwardO on August 19, 2015, 12:13:17 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Bill W on August 24, 2015, 11:19:39 AM: 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.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: HunterStrait on August 24, 2015, 01:48:55 PM: Arrggh, im gonna miss the first day because school starts on September first. :bash:
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: asmith on August 30, 2015, 10:43:29 AM: 2 more days!! :IBCOOL: :chuckle: :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Bill W on August 30, 2015, 10:45:11 AM: tomorrow night is the last time to scout. New decoys arriving tomorrow (hopefully)
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: buglebuster on August 30, 2015, 11:00:40 AM: Got word from my old boss, the dove spot will be hot this year! He planted grain this spring, and flooded the pond, more doves then hes ever seen! This is funny because last hear i limited in half hour and he said there were none around lol
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Evil_EdwardO on August 31, 2015, 08:29:06 AM: Was going to wait until the weekend but I have the itch so bad, I'm going to leave work early tomorrow. I usually have better luck in the mornings but right now I just want to get out. Good luck everyone!
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Carl on August 31, 2015, 03:07:00 PM: In North Carolina, we never used decoys - lots more birds. But here, they sure help. Last year I tried the Mojo Voodoo and I could tell a big difference. They actually do work! :IBCOOL:

I don't hesitate recommending them. :tup:

Good Luck,
Carl
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: asmith on August 31, 2015, 04:25:27 PM: I think I should have picked some up. All the dove seem to have disappeared in the last coupke days with this bit of cold weather we have. Earlier in the week I was seeing them everywhere, now barely any. I guess we'll find out in the morning.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Bill W on August 31, 2015, 04:56:11 PM: I thought I was going to have more decoys delivered today in time for tomorrow's opener. Dang shame but they won't be here until tomorrow afternoon. I had high hopes for a mojo on an 8 foot post. It would definitely be high enough for them to see.

I'll be out in the Moses Lake area for a morning of dove shooting at.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Motorjosh on August 31, 2015, 06:23:40 PM: Goin out first thing n the mornin. Goin to try the mojo doves and decoys.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Bennick16 on August 31, 2015, 10:02:16 PM: Hey guys im brand new to dove hunting and hunting in general, I have four static decoys and thats it. I will be hunting in the Moses lake area, does anyone have any tips for a newb? :tung:
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: 2labs on August 31, 2015, 10:05:06 PM: Never shot at a dove? Limits 15 this year bring 5 boxes of shells. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Bennick16 on August 31, 2015, 10:07:18 PM: Never shot at anything with a shotgun!!! (except clays) Haha I guess i better go to walmart and buy a value pack
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: JimmyHoffa on August 31, 2015, 10:19:45 PM: Quote from: Bennick16 on August 31, 2015, 10:02:16 PM
Hey guys im brand new to dove hunting and hunting in general, I have four static decoys and thats it. I will be hunting in the Moses lake area, does anyone have any tips for a newb? :tung:
literally stare at the dove as it hits the ground...even blink and they turn invisible. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Bill W on September 01, 2015, 05:13:42 AM: Quote from: Bennick16 on August 31, 2015, 10:02:16 PM
Hey guys im brand new to dove hunting and hunting in general, I have four static decoys and thats it. I will be hunting in the Moses lake area, does anyone have any tips for a newb? :tung:

Kinda too late right now as I'm leaving in a couple of minutes. PM me your contact info and you can tag along on the next trip. I'll show you some spots and you can find more from there.

Bill
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Evil_EdwardO on September 01, 2015, 07:43:07 AM: Quote from: Bennick16 on August 31, 2015, 10:02:16 PM
Hey guys im brand new to dove hunting and hunting in general, I have four static decoys and thats it. I will be hunting in the Moses lake area, does anyone have any tips for a newb? :tung:

If all you have are static decoys, try to get them up high.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Evil_EdwardO on September 01, 2015, 07:47:27 AM: Leaving work early and going to try an late afternoon/evening hunt. I usually don't do as good in the afternoon than the morning but won't be able to get out in the morning until Labor Day. Also trying a new spot today after scouting it yesterday. Good luck and happy hunting everyone!
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Jonathan_S on September 01, 2015, 07:51:24 AM: Quote from: JimmyHoffa on August 31, 2015, 10:19:45 PM
Quote from: Bennick16 on August 31, 2015, 10:02:16 PM
Hey guys im brand new to dove hunting and hunting in general, I have four static decoys and thats it. I will be hunting in the Moses lake area, does anyone have any tips for a newb? :tung:
literally stare at the dove as it hits the ground...even blink and they turn invisible. :chuckle:

This reminds me of the 2nd dove I shot. I popped my first dove and it landed near my feet. No problem. The next one took some searching...like 10 minutes :chuckle:
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: asmith on September 01, 2015, 11:50:17 AM: Well, my morning hunt was uneventful. Got off a couple shots and so far flying birds, but that's it. Skunked opening day. All the birds where on the ground, not flying, and I had to try and hunt them like quail. But they would take off about 100 yards before I even got to them. Oh well, first day blues. I hope it gets a bit better tomorrow.

How did yall do?
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Bennick16 on September 01, 2015, 12:42:22 PM: I think I'm going to try at like 3pm this afternoon before my coyote hunt. I was going to just start throwing rocks till some fly out :chuckle:
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Motorjosh on September 01, 2015, 01:10:17 PM: We where 2 shy of two limits by 7:10, had to be to work by 7:30. The mojo doves work amazing and lots of shells where fired.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Bennick16 on September 01, 2015, 05:01:02 PM: Saw two doves all day. Missed the only one I saw all day that was moving left to right... Still mad at myself for missing a pretty easy shot. :bash:
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: ribka on September 01, 2015, 10:14:36 PM: one box of AA's and 8 birds. should have brought a second box!

lots of fun
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: buglebuster on September 01, 2015, 10:25:35 PM: BLRman, our kids and I banged out our 30 birds this evening (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F09%2F01%2F65b987177498e430f4eae5406f7da37e.jpg&hash=3321cbac6ee0f2a19ec3b9c4039b1460da913b07)
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: 2labs on September 01, 2015, 10:32:48 PM: Great pic. Love the Red Ryder.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: ribka on September 01, 2015, 10:40:40 PM: Quote from: buglebuster on September 01, 2015, 10:25:35 PM
BLRman, our kids and I banged out our 30 birds this evening (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F09%2F01%2F65b987177498e430f4eae5406f7da37e.jpg&hash=3321cbac6ee0f2a19ec3b9c4039b1460da913b07)
:tup: :tup:

great job

lots of doves this year
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Dave Workman on September 02, 2015, 04:36:24 AM: Quote from: Bennick16 on August 31, 2015, 10:02:16 PM
Hey guys im brand new to dove hunting and hunting in general, I have four static decoys and thats it. I will be hunting in the Moses lake area, does anyone have any tips for a newb? :tung:

Buy lots and lots of shotgun shells!
:chuckle:
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Evil_EdwardO on September 02, 2015, 07:38:49 AM: I started off the hunt with some idiot kid come into my decoy spread and yell at me for not having hunter orange . After that it was wild kingdom, had a heron make a few circles around my decoys, falcons dive in, a couple of deer come within 100yds, and a female pheasant snook in behind me until I moved and spooked it. A couple of hours later, we only had three doves fly in and missed them all. Geez, am I rusty.

Oh well, the spot I tried was the first time there and also the first time I had a hunting buddy with me. Even though we didn't have much dove action, he is hooked after he saw the way those three came into the decoys.

Will be at it again this weekend.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Bill W on September 02, 2015, 08:27:08 AM: My usual spot is a "so-so" spot, nothing special. I don't know what the heck happened but I had 4 trucks parked in my spot. One of the guys must have been new as he was sitting near the edge of the field wearing a bright white tee shirt.

Also beats me how those working age guys got off from work. Don't they know they're supposed to be at work paying in to my social security?

We found a fringe area that had some flying and a good time was had by all. Up to now my dog wouldn't retrieve any dead birds, beats me why, but she was an independent little cuss. Today that dead dove was her best friend. I guess the light came on for her. Now to teach her to be patient and lay down near me instead of roaming all over the place.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: HornHoarder on September 02, 2015, 08:32:23 AM: That looks like a great shoot Buglebuster! I'm going to try to get out this weekend.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: buglebuster on September 02, 2015, 09:00:33 AM: Quote from: HornHoarder on September 02, 2015, 08:32:23 AM
That looks like a great shoot Buglebuster! I'm going to try to get out this weekend.
It was! In the end the birds don't matter, this is what makes it all worth it, seeing my 4 year old daughter having so much fun!(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F09%2F02%2F2fd226a4c226b53514c37bb636c09532.jpg&hash=b57ff377338a9a4bd5258a3faeef5300eeb08b44)(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F15%2F09%2F02%2F9c20bbb8e7e9f3ee31c26621dd204514.jpg&hash=b47cc60d54cb9571104d55268c46aaf4cf7d0574)
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: asmith on September 02, 2015, 09:27:41 AM: That's awesome buglebuster, nothing better than getting your kids out in the field. Mine are 15, 13 and 12 and I take them with me whenever I can. I still get a good laugh every time they see a bird flying over and they yell, there dad dove shoot it, at its a hawk or raven, lol. Every year I have to try and re-teach them how to identify a dove in flight and I love it.

Hopefully I can get into some doves this weekend.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Bill W on September 02, 2015, 09:33:41 AM: doves, blackbirds and sparrow hawks look very similar in flight. The blackbirds have a funny flutter to their wing beats that sets them apart. The sparrow hawks require a very close look to differentiate. The head angle and downturned beak set them apart.

We saw a bunch of canadian geese yesterday. Might be worth looking at for early goose.
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Carl on September 02, 2015, 09:35:18 AM: Those are great pics, Buglebuster! Remember to take some every year so they'll have a touching memory album.

Carl
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: ribka on September 03, 2015, 09:05:01 AM: shot a bt better yesterday. Ran into a lot of quail and was confusing the young dog :chuckle:

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi862.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fab186%2Fribka123%2FMobile%2520Uploads%2Fimage_zps5xqdwgqz.jpg&hash=7460bd0885ef3252e2b82c083b414991a5b60d8b) (http://s862.photobucket.com/user/ribka123/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps5xqdwgqz.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Dove hunting
Post by: Bill W on September 03, 2015, 10:50:00 AM: Bennick16 and I went out for a morning hunt today to my secret spot. Good thing today that no one else was there. I guess the attraction of the opener died off fast.
The kid can shoot. He bagged most of what he shot at.