Opening Dove Season!

[Doug3006]

The birds are flying in Seymour Texas! @Jeff505 @Drywaller44 and I limited out this morning . Good thing too. Predicted to be 105 degrees this afternoon! I hate to see how dry it is here. But they had rain this Spring and there are plenty of doves!

 

[steve white]

Ah, September first--year's first display of $2000 guns and two bit swings!

 

[CoElkHunter]

My trip to Argentina this last March kinda ruined it for me as far as dove hunting goes here in the States.

I'll bet. I've seen photos from those hunts. Fantastic!

 

[CoElkHunter]

Yep..

Love dove hunting… but after 2 trips to Argentina in the last 5 years… I’m kinda ruined…

On my bucket list!

 

[CoElkHunter]

Some of you guys have mentioned white wings. My neighbor took me on my first REAL bird hunt when I was 15 in the early '70s. We hunted the Colorado Indian Reservation along the Colorado River in Arizona. There were more white wings than mourning doves. Although I hadn't really hunted birds before (one duck hunt), I was regularly shooting trap almost every weekend with my 12ga. Remington 1100. Anyway, the first white wing I shot, I could have caught it in my game vest when it fell. I had watched the neighbor miss several before he got one and I didn't want to embarrass him. I thought to myself, this is too easy and then promptly missed the next couple of birds. LOL Back then the limit was 20 and we both filled out on MOSTLY white wings within an hour or so. I've hunted AZ a couple of times in the '80s but the white wings were few and far between bet we limited out on mourning doves.

 

[Doubleplay]

My trip to Argentina this last March kinda ruined it for me as far as dove hunting goes here in the States.

I felt the same but then I started thinking.
It shouldn't be called hunting.
Argentina is just dove shooting.

 

[Daisy]

 

[wesheltonj]

Update I saw a good amount of birds in the Public Hunting south of San Antonio and a lot of White Wings mixed in. (The white wings out numbered the morning). Unfortunately, too many of us cheap hunters for the amount of birds. I suspect, Pearsall and Hondo where the sunflower fields are should be loaded with White Wings based on what I saw yesterday.

 

[Red Leg]

Several large mobs of whitewings finally showed up this morning. If they keep building up, I'll do a morning shoot Tuesday or Wednesday.

 

[Inline6]

Several large mobs of whitewings finally showed up this morning. If they keep building up, I'll do a morning shoot Tuesday or Wednesday.

We are probably going to try tomorrow evening. South zone is only open this weekend and next before it opens. Watched a lot of birds this evening.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Just killed a limit of whitewings here in George West Tx this afternoon. Good times

 

[Hunt anything]

5.17 inches of rain over the weekend, put a little water in the ponds, hopefully it will last and the 20-25 teal on them this morning will build in numbers and 9-9 our opener will be teal in the morning and dove in the afternoon.

 

[Red Leg]

Walked out back yesterday morning and scratched down nine over an hour and a half. It is very challenging shooting. This is pass shooting at birds returning from feeding or water and headed for mid-day resting areas along the San Gabriel. Most birds are long, far and fast. Lots of fun.

 

[steve white]

Water is key here in central Texas. It has been brutally dry. I bought several Chiappa Triple Crowns as a novelty several years ago. Crazy thing is I immediately liked the one I shot. I gave one to a buddy I gave the handle “plug” to as a joke. EVERY year he came out he would show up with a gun (plug removed during previous quail season) and we would seek or fabricate a plug out of salt cedar.

View attachment 554582View attachment 554583

Is that a three barrel?

 

[RR 314]

Is that a three barrel?

Yes sir. Never worry about a plug again. . They are well built and intrigue everyone . . . and get a laugh out of (most) game wardens.

 

[flatwater bill]

Looks like a fun time for those of you who live close. For me, it is about the same travel time to Texas as to South America. So kind of a no brainer. Have been to Argentina or Bolivia many times (actually 22)......for those of you that think dove hunting is too easy in So. America.....you're right! But I've been on so many hunts that were too damned hard, that I don't feel at all guilty. Have a great season guys.............FWB

 

[Hunt anything]

Teal were a no show, had about 75 on the pond Wednesday and by Friday it was down to 10 or so. Killed the only one I saw Saturday. Water is disappearing fast ponds are basically mud flats now. The dove on the other hand attacked in force Saturday afternoon. I think everyone shot 12, the limit is 15 but we limit ourselves to 12 until we get a few migrants in. All local birds right now out of my dozen I only had 1 adult morning dove the rest juvenile.