Any dove shoots?

[gjohnsoniv]

Didn't get any here but I did see quite a few on the far side of the field. Some guys got arrested for shooting a hawk though. No clue what was going through their head when they started shooting at it.

[quietguy]

Didn't get any here but I did see quite a few on the far side of the field. Some guys got arrested for shooting a hawk though. No clue what was going through their head when they started shooting at it.

Yeah, we had a few of the same type. Even after 25 years of dove hunts, it still amazes me that "hunters" can't identify a dove. We had a mocking bird fly through that I have no idea how he survived. There had to be 10 guys unload on him. There was a flight of four pigeons that flew through at least five or six times about 60 or 70 yards high, and they (probably the same guys) kept blasting away.

On a side not, we did have about as many collared doves as mourning. Two of my three were collared, but those two came in on the same flight.

[gjohnsoniv]

It sounded like a war zone across the field. The dove were way out of range of the shotguns but the people kept plugging away. I would imagine that they fired at least 20 shots at one.

[ExMachina]

Went to Percy Priest for opening day--get a good draw and took what is usually a great spot on the main field. Ha. Not today! Saw quite a few doves but they were out of range and moving in weird directions; one of the "side" fields had all the action today. The TWA guys said they'd never seen anything like it. In all, I fired a total of 8(!!!) shells.

Edited September 2, 2012 by ExMachina

[quietguy]

In all, I fired a total of 8(!!!) shells.

You beat me by one. It ticked me off to have to clean my shotgun tonight for that little action.

[spikehunter]

Did anyone make to forks of the river WMA? (knoxville)

[mike243]

hunted a loudon co leased field,a good # of birds in places.shot 8 & missed a lot more,finaly got used to my new 20g & was hitting good with the xtra full choke & 7.5 shot.seen some yeawhoo's shooting barn swallows after the doves stopped flying,

[gjohnsoniv]

Did anyone make to forks of the river WMA? (knoxville)

I was there.

[spikehunter]

was it any good? lots of people?...I went to scout, and it looked ok (saw a few birds). I haven't gotten a chance to make it out yet.

[spikehunter]

Nevermind Im guessing thats where the hawk situation was

[whiskey]

I heard a fair amount of shooting around the house, but the weather has been spotty here. I didn't make it out to hunt. First opening day I have missed in several years.

[gjohnsoniv]

was it any good? lots of people?...I went to scout, and it looked ok (saw a few birds). I haven't gotten a chance to make it out yet.

Eh I didn't get anything because the usual people who have never been dove hunting were shooting at dove 40 or 50 yards up and scaring them off.

[TLRMADE]

Great day! We got a little wet, but had two people shoot their first ever birds. We shot ended up getting around 30 birds.

Edited September 3, 2012 by TLRMADE

[JeffL]

Got me a shotgun ordered. Looking forward to shooting some birds. Anybody want to show a newbie how it's done?

[dlm37015]

That's the only advantage to shooting in crowded fields. When a bit falls you can claim you killed it, cause who could argue

i never thought of that

[whiskey]

Got me a shotgun ordered. Looking forward to shooting some birds. Anybody want to show a newbie how it's done?

Did you get your gun? I suggest hitting the skeet range a few times before heading out for birds. You will be a happier hunter.

[JeffL]

Did you get your gun? I suggest hitting the skeet range a few times before heading out for birds. You will be a happier hunter.

Not yet, I thought Bud's was faster than this. Still no tracking number. I've been to the trap range with my FN SLP Mk1, didn't do all that good. Was hoping the Winchester SX3 would help out. I'll definitely be heading to Montgomery Co Shooting Complex to get some practice in.

[quietguy]

Not yet, I thought Bud's was faster than this. Still no tracking number. I've been to the trap range with my FN SLP Mk1, didn't do all that good. Was hoping the Winchester SX3 would help out. I'll definitely be heading to Montgomery Co Shooting Complex to get some practice in.

Trap with a cylinder bore gun isn't generally a recipe for success.

As whiskey alluded to, skeet is a much better prep than trap. Sporting clays or 5 Stand are even better. We used to hand throw mixed zz-bird and standard clay doubles. That was probably the best dove practice I have ever seen, especially when the zz trailed.

[JeffL]

Trap with a cylinder bore gun isn't generally a recipe for success.

As whiskey alluded to, skeet is a much better prep than trap. Sporting clays or 5 Stand are even better. We used to hand throw mixed zz-bird and standard clay doubles. That was probably the best dove practice I have ever seen, especially when the zz trailed.

I tried it with an Improved Cylinder and Modified choke, didn't have much luck. with either.

[quietguy]

I tried it with an Improved Cylinder and Modified choke, didn't have much luck. with either.

Courses vary, but a full choke or tighter is generally best for trap. An Improved-Modified is great if you are trying to shoot quick doubles.

[TLRMADE]

I shoot trap and hunt with a X-Full Kicks choke.