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I hunted near Madison. We did not have a lot of birds. We did have good BBQ though, and pecan pie.

Harvested 13 on opening day, 11 on day 2. Didn't really go to good fields because there currently isn't much silage around our area, so I hunted a couple of brush fields with pretty good results. Was able to shoot 2 geese on opening day as well. I have to say that the 2 best doves of the first day, were the 2 that my 6 y/o twins had waiting for me when I got home. They were grinning from ear to ear as they were holding them behind their backs when I pulled in the driveway. I had told them it was the opening day of dove season before I left and that I would take them with me on the weekend. They informed me, when I got home, that they couldn't wait for the weekend and when our Brittney locked up on point in our backyard with 2 doves on the electric wire - the temptation was too great and they had to "smoke em' with thier BB guns". We cleaned them and ate them first that night. As proud as I was, I still had to use the experience as a "teachable moment". We talked throughout dinner about bird hunter ethics/safety (don't shoot em' on the wire, in a tree or on the ground, etc.)They did beat me up about having to use a big-bad 12 gauge to kill my birds... when all I needed was a Crossman.

It was a GREAT opening day!

We opened the season with a friend in Harmony NC. 14 birds and my 17 month old Larry (Fox Red Lab) did great. Dinner with family and friends later.

Cherie and I Spent Sunday getting ready for the Children's Promise Event at Beaver Pond Sporting Club. My friend and the owner, Johnny Miller hurt his back last week and members and I pitched in to get ready. Not sure how much money we raised yet but Children's Promise (The foundation arm of UNC Children's Hospital) was happy that we've raised awarness in the outdoor community.

Shooting was slow but the fun and food were great, I think the front ran our birds off the farm. Wires covered last week and thin this weekend.

Great way to start the season.

Dick

In Colorado our opening day was on the 1st. I didn't get out until afternoon. I was only able to bag 8 doves and 1 snipe in about 3 hours. 2 doves were eurasian, a first for me. They seem increadibly tough for their size. The first shot seems only to slow them down.

We had 6 guys east of Yuma for the opener (9/1&2) and all limited by 9:00, couple of us with .410s both days. Went out again Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon for the Labor day weekend with 8 guys. High temps (110F) and about 3 inches of rain on Saturday night, and all but one of us limited each day. The guy who didn't limit had the most expensive gun and shoots the most clays; go figure. After the rain it was mostly whitewings (strange for whitewings), and we had to scratch to fill out the limits with mourning doves (AZ has a max of 6 whitewings). Lot more Eurasians this year. On the seventh day of the season, we had only two guys left and both limited in one hour with 28 gauges. Lots of BBQ doves over the weekend. I love Arizona during monsoon season.

Adam, I really enjoy the peanut field shoots, too. The weather is much cooler by then, and it's more pleasant for me and my dog. Those late season doves over peanut fields don't even resemble the dumb young birds we have this early in the sunflower fields. Good luck!

You mean they can FLY??!!

I agree with your 6 year olds, Ironman, a 12 is overkill for doves!!

I know what you mean. Here are a couple shots from shoots past (all over peanuts).













Adam

Opening day last Tuesday and again this past Saturday was fairly decent for us on Maryland's Eastern Shore, near Chestertown. Not as many birds as previous two seasons but still managed to limit out both days (score aided on Saturday by 2 falling to one shot- never had that happen before). Raining and chilly all week this week. Doesn't look good good for any more dove shooting. We may well just mow the remaining sunflowers and call it a season. Depends on if there are any birds still flying when the rain stops this weekend.

Gun: L.C.Smith 12 bore, 28" M/F. 7/8oz. spreader loads. 15/28 on opening day, 15/35 on Saturday.

Opening day in Va.,down in Culpepper, there were more birds than ever before. Late day birds diving into the sunflower fields,not a care for the guns.
Two days later,not a bird flew under tree height,and blasted through on afterburners. Tight chokes and fast reflects.
What a great time