Get Started Dove Hunting
By Steph Lane - Iowa Program Coordinator
Is anyone else itching for cooler days and hunting season to finally be here? Fall is just around the corner, and one of my new favorites is kicking it off on September 1st here in Iowa. I say new favorites because although I have been a hunter for most of my life, dove hunting is a relatively new venture. I really can't believe I didn't do this sooner. And our young hunters through Outdoor Mentors seem to have a blast!
If you are new to hunting, and wing-shooting, want to improve your scouting and permission-asking skills, get someone new into hunting, and are looking for a laid-back hunting experience, let's talk about dove hunting friends!
Dove hunting is one of the simplest types of hunting, with very little equipment required. It includes a shotgun, a couple of boxes of shells, a field, and a bucket, waiting for the doves to come in...and shoot!
So, how do you get started?
Where to Dove Hunt
Time to go on a little drive and snag your binoculars before you hit the gravel roads. You probably already know one place to look for doves! Keep your eyes on the sky, or the powerlines anyway! Once you see birds and have a good idea of where you want to be, it's time to sit for an hour or longer and observe. Often you are looking for public or private mowed sunflower plots and other ag fields like corn, wheat, and alfalfa that are fully or partially cut. These fields make an excellent location for the doves to feed. If you see dove numbers in the double digits when scouting, it's more than likely a great choice!
If you are checking out a private field, it's time to brush up on those permission-asking skills I mentioned. And be sure to check your State's public access lands for maps and dove plot locations for more options!
What to Wear
Being entirely concealed is unnecessary; just another great bonus Dove hunting offers! Camouflage or earth-tone clothing is all you need! Early September can be pretty toasty, so be sure and check the weather and wear lightweight layers.
What to shoot
When dove hunting, you are either shooting birds that are decoying or you are pass-shooting. Loads of guns can be a dove hunting gun! If you have one you regularly use, it's most likely the best choice! For most, your ideal dove hunting gun is probably your 20-gauge or 12-gauge semi-auto. You want the least recoil and be confident with shooting around 30 yards, and of course, one that feels good in your hands and on your shoulder!
You want your shooting pattern to be dense enough to hit your tiny target multiple times. To set yourself up for success, set your gun up with an improved cylinder or modified choke and load it with smaller shot sizes: 7, 7-1/2, or 8s. I personally love my 555 E 20-gauge from Savage Arms; even though it’s not a semi-auto, it fits me perfectly, I used it for the upland season, and I am confident in my shooting!
Dove hunting is a fun way to start hunting or introduce others to the hunting lifestyle. Doves are delicious, and the shooting can be a ton of fun, but it's all about the easygoing time outside and the camaraderie that comes with it. Good luck out there!
