Dove hunting questions

[smdmz]

Hi guys. I've been completely inactive on this forum since posting a few times last year after getting frustrated with the pheasant season. But I'm back with new optimism (however unfounded that may be) and new questions.

Last Wednesday I was taking my Brittany out to swim at Boulder Reservoir, and noticed a lot of doves moving round. So I packed up the hunting gear and the pup on Saturday, picked up my buddy and his GSP, and headed out near Ft. Morgan to check out the dove populations on those SWAs.

I should note that my buddy and I had never hunted doves before. We found em, but we got out around 10am and they were mostly just hanging around, roosting in big cottonwood trees. We managed to bring down a few (I need to get out to the skeet range, my shooting was miserable) by having one of us sneak waaay round a lone tree and both of us closing in from either side.

I think if we were to go earlier or later, they would be moving around more. My buddy was getting impatient so we left at about 4pm.

My questions:
-Would it be better to find a secluded water source so they wouldn't be as scattered? The Ft. Morgan SWAs are all along the S. Platte River, so there's plenty of water, lots of trees to roost, and this year there was plenty of sunflowers for food.
-Evidently they have great eyesight (found that out post-hunt), which would explain why we had a hard time getting close enough. Do yall set up a blind near a watering hole/food source? Just wear camo? Do they move around enough midday to set up and wait for em?


As a side note, the cover looks a lot better this year. I'm excited for pheasant season. We flushed 2 hens just walking around. Stopped by a couple farm houses to inquire about pheasant sightings and ask for access. 3 weren't home, 2 said they've seen quite a bit more this year than last few years but wouldn't grant us access, and 1 was incredibly rude and wouldn't give any info. Must've woken him up from his midday nap. That's 0-16 on asking for private land access. People sure are stingy out here compared to Wisconsin and Iowa...

 

[JDWnColo]

Food , water, trees for roosting = doves on opening day on public. After that, secluded water, trees and food are the recipe.

Camo isn't all you think it should be, light tan, brown and being in the shadows works well. Movement is what really scares them off. I have been out of camo and had them fly right at me, until I moved and then we have the aerobatics.

My main problem with camo is usually if you set the clothes out and walk away turn back you see a black blob, those fancy patterns entice a buyer but rarely fools critters.

Coloradoan are tight lipped as to access and generally information. Being a native I honestly have no clue myself as to how to break that, good luck. There is a reason I spend my time in the mountains and western slope.

And last but most important as to your dove hunts, showing up at 10 doesn't do a bit of good. Most hunters are heading for breakfast then. Get to your hunting spot before daylight and set up , birds fly at 6:30 until 10, then 4 to dark.

 

[smdmz]

Thanks for the info - it's much appreciated.

Yea the location I chose had a great combo of food/water/trees, but I thought it might be wise to choose a location where it's an "oasis" of sorts, i.e. there's either food, trees, or water lacking in the surrounding area.

That's not to say we didn't see plenty of them. In fact, they were everywhere. It's just that they were hanging out up in the trees, and would take off before we got a good shot. As you said, it was pretty apparent they key on movement. Next time I'll bring a lawn chair or a bucket to sit on and wait.

If I had my druthers, we would have been out before dawn. But my hunting buddy can be a real lazy a** and we were taking his car. Time to find a new hunting buddy

 

[JDWnColo]

An oasis is a thought but I have always had the best luck such as along the river., in fact I had a spot one year at a duck slough within 100 yards of the Platte and 50 yds from an irrigation ditch running deep and fast. That was one of the b est, another was a bit of an oasis on a horse ranch next to Greeley. We did take doves off that ranch for three weeks before we got on to other things.

Those folding chairs for dove shoots, yeah $20 well spent, some camo netting to cover your gear, bug juice, shells, water and donuts your set for the morning.

Have you buddy sleep in the back seat of the car in your driveway, you drive. The last half mile, hit every bump you can and slide into your parking spot. Go hunting and take his keys with you, especially if he loves his ride.

You can tell I think, I does loves me a good dove hunt.

 

[smdmz]

Next time I'll drive and the passenger seat will be occupied by a dozen donuts instead of my hunting buddy