Home Forums Birds & Dogs Upland Game Dove 2023

Hard to believe, but the dove opener is two weeks out. Not looking forward to the heat, but will suffer through it for the opening day festivities. Crops look good, lots of birds around, as long as we don't get a tropical storm to blow them out of the area. I'm going to start the season off with my Dad's old 1913 vintage Winchester 1911 SL. Seems fitting to take it out on its 110th birthday. I haven't hunted it in 12 years. It's Cylinder bore, so not the best choice later in the season.

For the first time since i was a kid, I intentionally took it off. My Airedale and I will be going out. Hopefully her training sticks and she retrieves birds for me.

Got a new to me Ugartechea 20 last week. Guess I better shoot some clays before the 1st to see if it works. Probably see the opener on a public conservation place with 500 of my closest friends. Then when the birds are blown out of there, my buddy has a sunflower patch with powelines the length of it a couple miles down the road. Hoping it provides sanctuary to them for a few good shoots throughout the season.

Gonna be ffucking hot . The question is 20 or 28 for the opener. And the almond orchard or the border of the rice and the walnut orchard.

Likely start out with a 12ga skb/wthby O/U. The skill set I've demonstrated so far with clay pidgeons clearly shows how easily I cope with marksmanship deficiencies in front of others.

I've already got one limit with a freightliner cascadia.

But for the actual hunt, I'll probably use a 28.

I scheduled a Dr appt for the morning so I don't have to use vacation time.

Going down to camp to poison millet and sunflowers tomorrow.

We're packing up and getting ready for our annual cast and blast to Port Mansfield. It's gonna be hot, but the fishing should be recovered from the freeze and TPWD says the dove numbers are high.

Got a head start on the season this week; about to fly home after some truly incredible dove hunting in Bolivia. This was my 2nd trip down there; can’t wait to make it back.

gonna be a hot one from the looks of the forecast. Calling for 100 every day next weekend back on the farm in KS,. Will be packing my umbrella for shade.

Hard to believe shotgun shells are 10.00 plus for a box now. Love dove hunting.

The club sent out pics yesterday of one of the powerlines on the field. It was sagging with birds. Hopefully this tropical storm won't affect things before Saturday. We're suppose to get rain Tues-Thurs, but clear skies on Friday and Saturday with highs in the lower '80s. Fingers crossed...

Not gonna skip work Friday, but will be out this weekend w my new Browning Citori 20 ga
State ground so steel shot.
28" barrels and shot a couple rounds of trap w it.....seems to fit/work OK.

The Farm that we have been hunting was sold and I'll be hunting a new place this year. I've been hosting a hunt for 12-16 of my friends and their families for about 20 years now. Had some great hunts and a few slow ones. I disc up 12-15 acres last week and spread Wheat. I'll get out before daylight tomorrow (Thursday) and see if they have found it yet. Hoping for the best........... But birds or no birds I'll get to see friends and we'll eat good!

Slammed them in the ,605 this morning. Set up on a wheat field with decoys. 6 man limit in an hr or so.

Yep we had 8 guys limit inside of 2 hours. Good times!

Slammed an 8 man this morning. God awful hot here. BTW, save the hearts. Fry em up. Darn good. I mean you'll be amazed. By far better than the breasts.

Second hottest opening day in my 65 year career here on the Rolling Plains. Lots of Doves , lots of feed available.... Did not feel like venturing into a feed field in the early-mid afternoon in that heat. Waited a few hours and set up on a flight line to a very busy water hole here on the ranch. Birds flew well and were very numerous , the same as when I scouted them earlier this week. Took a quick limit, shot well, and was back in the shade with a Cool one in hand in 40 minutes.
I am still just as anxious to get into the field for the opener as I was as a child.
Got more good shooting scouted for the rest of the week. Good luck to everyone on your season opener!

Didn't venture forth today opted out it's 98°. Mb

Guess two state properties we have hunted didnt do the draw this year because the deer hammered the sunflower fields.
Coworker went to one and said it sucked.
So Im fixing the hatch on kids car tomorrow instead of hunting.