Isn't it amazing

[coonman]

How a little dove hunting can change your attitude. I know that fall is coming and it has put me in a better mood. Looking forward to colder weather and more shooting!

[camlock]

well, I shoulda went dove hunting then...cause after a couple nice days; the sweltering heat of the past 4-5 days has been nothing short of depressing.

[jacksbuddy]

I thought about going dove hunting; But, and I am NOT making this up!

1 - The A/C at the house went out Friday night.
2 - My Dawgs 'went out' on Saturday afternoon, so to speak.
3 - My Directv receiver went out Sunday evening. And,
4 - I felt my baby kick for the first time on Monday morning, so the wife and I went out for lunch.

I thought long and hard about going out to dove hunt on Monday afternoon, but I didn't feel like pushing my luck by being around a bunch of beer drinking rednecks with shotguns.

[Anatidae]

Coonman, If I lived in Lebanon, MO.....I'd be excited about duck season too.

I watched my wife kill 3 of the 4 doves she shot at on opening day. I never raised the gun. We didn't even try it Monday.

Today, primarily out of bordome (and the fact that I hadn't killed my share of Supper), I sat out there and proceeded to go 0 for 10 shots on 5 birds that would otherwise be killable if I hadn't been stubborn enough to take my trap gun......you know, for those long shots you might have to take since birds are so 'scarce'? Bad decision.

I finally gave-up and as I had just sacked the gun and was taking my earplugs out.......I heard one take-off from the limb right above me. That was the one I needed, today.....one sitting on a limb. What the heck. It beat sitting in front of a computer all day, though.

So, if dove hunting is a measure of what my hunting season holds......I'm so screwed! But I know what you mean.....the cold air will be here, soon........and maybe some doves will be, too. In the meantime - Back to the gun club.

[bpinson1]

We had a good hunt Sunday in Copiah Co., it was slow, but fun to shoot the guns. My nephew got his firdt kill so that made it a great day. Bring on hunting season.

[hillhunter]

I look forward to it every year. Good or bad, its the beginning of the seasons to come. Had descent hunts Sunday and Monday so it really gave me the fever. Took the pup Monday morning since it was cool and cloudy, and he had a ball. Had to leave him in the afternoons. There is no worse feeling than having to leave your buddy behind as he watches you walk out the door with gun in hand. Thankfully when duck season arrives it wont be an issue, and he will arrive home as tired as I am.

[mfalkner]

It does help. I managed to scratch down one of the 8 doves shot on our highly productive field Monday..... There were a few decent shoots in the area but most that I heard of were mighty weak. But, we had a deer quarter and a pork loin on the grill that morning so it all worked out OK.

Sure is nice out this morning.

[coonman]

It was slow around here also. Last year at this time a few folks were already planting wheat and we had some awesome hunts. This year everyones corn crops went in late and nothing was being cut. I did end up killing limits both day, but really had to work at it. Found a few on some ponds and diary farms, but nothing compared to years past. A front came through Sunday mid morning temps started lowering and monday morning was very nice. Saw a lot of teal while hunting Monday, but yesterday scouted for them around our normal spots we hunt didn't see the anything. The lake is up 10ft above flood stage so they could be up in spots that are hard to see. Don't worry Anatidae things will start getting better. Just think your canada trip is just right around the corner!

[missed mallards]

The first shot of the year is always something that seems to settle me down. I don't know what it is about the hunt, the shot, and don't care to understand it, but it's always welcomed!

On a side note: Both days weren't bad. We had a 'slow' hunt which I prefer.

Sunday was a low pressured, slow bird count hunt. It was great, as we had a 'new' hunter in the field that made quick work of the situation. I'll admit, throwing out my arm this summer throwing targets was rewarded by some great shots in the field! Really not sure how well I enjoy sharing a hunt with a woman, but all in all it wasn't bad. The act of silence wasn't something I experienced much of LOL.

Monday evening my brother and I took the lone corner and had a blast. Birds were steady although not overly populated. Maybe 10 words were said during the hunt (I loved it ). It was just instinctive as we've shared many a hunt together over our lifetime. Had several doubles between us and shared many a laugh.

All in all, both hunts were very relaxing and not one phone call was heard either hunt! We got extremely lucky and had a nice northern breeze both hunts. No bugs, heat was moderate, nice shade. 2nd year without a dog and still ain't quite used to it but I got my exercise in. A winged dove can fly low and slow for a long while. The video of me running like a Wildman across the clean field in hot pursuit was quite funny, afterwards! Brother was even nice enough to bring the whistle to stop and cast me!

I'm just glad it's here. The laughs, shots, and comradely were surely missed.

Meant to add: The best part of the whole weekend was giving the trophies to a 73 year old grandmother of a good friend. She hasn't had doves in going on 15 years and man did she light up! That was what made the weekend. I'd never seen anyone so excited and so thankful! I think I smiled more after that than during any of the hunts.

[Up2Early]

I'm having some dinner outside tonight in Kiev. It's 54 degrees F here and the cool air is giving me hunting fever! I've had to spend a little money on some clothes. We weren't prepared for this weather. I can't stay much longer or my neck might swell up.

[jdbuckshot]

i'm headed out this evening to Colorado to chase elk......

CANNOT WAIT

[mudsucker]

i'm headed out this evening to Colorado to chase elk......

CANNOT WAIT

Elk? They fly like a dove or a teal?