Any dove hunters out there?
Moderator: ripjack13
22 posts
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We do a lot of wildlife habitat work here on the farm, for quail and dove, deer and turkey and the dove have come back in great numbers. I don't jump shoot, we hunt the planted fields and have pretty good success. Most people overchoke for doves, I shoot O in the top barrel and .05 in the botton for the second shot, with 1 once loads, #8. they are a lot of fun. If I use a single barrel gun, I use 0 choke size. Its a shame most people only hunt them the first 10 days of the season then seem to forget them. Habitat work is the key to good populations of all game.
Making a Difference For Wildlife, One Acre At A Time
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Trenchgun that's interesting. What distances are you shooting out there? I ask because by this time of year here in ky, even with decoys they are spooky. This time of the season our shots get out past 40 yards. We typically go to modified or full and 6 shot to get all the distance we can. I just worry that 8's wouldn't have the energy we'd need at range.
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Most of my shots are 30 yards and under, your right to swith to a larger shot at 40 to 50, but I use a Lt. Mod and then modified with 7.5. , light mod in the semi auto or pump. With the 16 gauge, number 6 was my go to for all but white rabbits. The pattern is max at 30 to 35 yards then begins to open up. Might be a little too much choke at full but your confidence in the combo is important. Try shooting a 1 gallon water bottle (old milk container) at 40, draw a black circle 6 inches in diameter and see what the difference is. You can use paper but I like the splash.
Making a Difference For Wildlife, One Acre At A Time
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I have a model 37 20 gauge marked modified, but it patterns it like a light mod. I'm thinking at those 7.5's 1 oz ought to be the ticket out to 45 yards or so. The 16's at that distance and a little further were like lightening.
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Oh, that sounds like a fun combo, and if it is patterning ltmod, it is a great wing gun. Don't have a 20 pump yet, that may be the Christmas wish.
Making a Difference For Wildlife, One Acre At A Time
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Funny thing, Col, my Dad's 20 is marked modified as well but patterns more like a light full.
Doesn't bother me much though, I just let them fly out a little bit farther before I take a shot. I was thinking of putting on a ploy-choke, but being my Dad's gun, I won't mess with it. I did put fresh furniture on it so I could modify the stock, but I still have all the original parts. Being a '57, replacing the barrel is all but impractical. So I'll leave it be. Besides, using either the Fiocchi golden Pheasant with the nickel plated shot or the Winchester XX with the copper plated shot, It shoots like a 12, so the tighter pattern isn't really a net negative. --Jim
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Raven, I have 3 20 gauges. The 1948 was my dad's. Out began life as a 28 inch modified and some bird hunter years ago cut it down to 26 inches, cyl bore. It's still a great quail and rabbit gun out to 35 yards or so work good loads.
The 1951 has a short stock, looks to be factory, and a 28 inch modified. It patterns a sure enough modified, maybe a bit tighter by todays standards. The 1952 is also a 28 inch modified. The last time I patterned it, depending on who you asked, shoot a right imp cyl or loose modified. Truth be told it's probably the most versatile of the bunch. Wide enough for quail and tight enough for doves at reasonable ranges. I'm going to pick up some of those Fiocochi 1 oz 7.5's and try her out. I predict she'll be alright. |
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Now that is one bodacious collection Col!! --Jim
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Aw shucks. They're joined by a 1952 12 gauge 30 inch full choke and a 1974 12 gauge vr imp cyl 26 inch.
But now that pales in comparison to your fine collection I know. All that talk between you and BPskeeter about those fine old doubles has really flung a craving on me. So many guns, so little time and money. |
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Thanks, Col, the Mrs says it is "TOO LARGE". I say it is "NOT LARGE ENOUGH". I have to say, though I do have a large appreciation for old sub gauges, though. They tend to be alot more rare and in better condition. Just something special about them. I also just KNOW that you will get your hands on a gorgeous old Ithaca double sooner rather than later and it will be a real honey.
And it will be an absolute blast to shoot, too. --Jim
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If there is a better bird for a 28ga it must be a woodcock. I've never hunted woodcock but when I lived in Arizona I chased them a lot. That's where I learned to appreciate the 28ga. I bought a Ruger O/U and started shooting a lot. I say a lot because there were a lot of targets and your limit was 10 birds a day. It usually took me two boxes of shells to get my limit, but, hey, some of the 12ga guys didn't do that well.
Best shootin' I ever had was at a dairy farm near Phoenix. We'd just stand with our back to the cows and shoot at incoming doves. They'd come in so fast that a dozen doves would pass overhead before you could reload and get shooting again. Usually took 45 minutes to get 100 birds with 10 shooters. The farmer sold his farm to a real estate developer so that ended a great time. Had to go jump shoot them in the desert. Again, that was fun also. The dairy farm was almost all incoming shots. The desert would offer many different shots. I don't live in Arizona anymore but I have often thought I'd like to go back and try some of that rapid-fire shooting again. Just another thought: Everywhere I read that mourning doves migrate out at the first sign of cold weather. I live in central Oregon and there is snow on the ground and doves roosting in juniper trees right now. Is this just an Oregon thing? Do the doves stay around in your neighborhood? Also, do you have the Eurasian Collared Doves in your area yet? Oregon has declared them "feral" and you can shoot them anytime. Sorry for rambling. Got a little nostalgic. |
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i think doves are kinda like waterfowl
meaning while most migrate some will stay local if they have food/water/shelter. that being said , i have not seen any mass flights of doves since the late 70s in my parts . but you can see pairs of doves through most of the state most any time of the year readily |
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