Dove Opener

I know Larke would be raving about dove poppers today. And Muddy usually has a bunch of folks out to hunt the opener but I kind of doubt it this year. Unless they’re hunting from boats.

I never could eat doves, they taste like liver to me. Most wild fowl tastes that way to me, except quail. And Hombre made me up some pheasant a few times that wouyld make you slap your mamma. I killed a ptarmigan up in Canada and the camp cooks prepared it and it tasted like shit. I was expecting a big quail. It was like a big kidney.

But anyway, I wonder if any of youse are hunting doves today. Its the opener in most states I think. I might shoot one off a highline wire if I see one.

BKB

When I was a kid, my uncle (long ago deceased) was an avid quail and dove hunter. We’d bring home a mess of them and my aunt would clean and fry them. I LOVED them both equally. TBH, I really couldn’t tell the difference in taste and they could have been miniature chickens if I didn’t see them beforehand. I never was a bird hunter tbh, and those are the only memories I have. I did quite a bit of pheasant hunting at a farm in Ohio and whatever we killed was cooked up at the lodge there for a big feed. They were experts and knew what they were doing, so I had no complaints. Wild turkey? I’d eat the breasts and the rest became buzzard food. Wild duck? I’m in the “flying liver” camp on that one.

I used to hunt doves. Never cared for the taste of them and I can say that for most migratory birds. Back when I did hunt doves, ducks, and geese I had friends I could give them to that enjoyed eating them. I tried to like it, but like Barry said, they all tasted like flying liver to me. I can't stand liver!

I love liver and doves and ducks and geese and all sorts of birds, robins field-larks blackbirds snipe etc but I draw the line at carrion eaters and raptors. Where I live now is all cattle country, no grain crops to pull the birds to, guess I'll just go fishing instead

Being in WA there will be no dove opener for me, but they sure are fun to shoot. That being said I have 2 pheasant hunts scheduled in SD this year. The first one is is a family hunt and a bit bittersweet. Early in 2020 I had planned this trip to make sure I got my dad, my son, and my father-in-law in the same pheasant field while we still had time. Unfortunately we lost my father-in-law this year so it will just be me, my son, father, and daughter's boy friend...but I know Paul will be there in spirit. The second is work buddies and I look forward to it, but not as much.

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Originally Posted by Hombre

Being in WA there will be no dove opener for me, but they sure are fun to shoot. That being said I have 2 pheasant hunts scheduled in SD this year. The first one is is a family hunt and a bit bittersweet. Early in 2020 I had planned this trip to make sure I got my dad, my son, and my father-in-law in the same pheasant field while we still had time. Unfortunately we lost my father-in-law this year so it will just be me, my son, father, and daughter's boy friend...but I know Paul will be there in spirit. The second is work buddies and I look forward to it, but not as much.

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Paul is missed for sure. And the camp chili is now forever safe from someone sneaking a package of weinies in it.

BKB

A dove shoot when they’re really flying is about as much fun as you can have afield with a shotgun. And, Larke’s dove poppers were delicious. Basically, marinate in French dressing, wrap in bacon and grill IIRC.


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Southern Ohio dove. 20 gauge Stoeger "Uplander" side by side. Light, swings nice, wide focal point for my aging eyes, thousands of shells through it without a hiccup.

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My stepdad has an old Fox 20 SXS that I grew up with. I sure killed a lot of stuff with it. 20’s and 16’s are underrated.

BKb

I have a late friend's Ithaca Featherlite in 16 gauge. I take it out every once in a while.
The other day, I popped a dove with it. Walking back to the edge of the field, I looked back and said "'Til we meet again, Carl".
My hunting buddy asked "Who are you talkin' to"?
I replied "Carl". He said "Oh"

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I don’t know why you bothered carrying that shotgun. After looking at that pic, I’m 99.9% sure you could have just uglied ‘em to death. ;)

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Originally Posted by Thumper

I don’t know why you bothered carrying that shotgun. After looking at that pic, I’m 99.9% sure you could have just uglied ‘em to death. ;)

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And stand out in the middle of a public dove field so they get to look at my face?!?!? No thanks. I'm homely enough without buck shot being added to my hide...

I’ve always wanted a 16. Now, I’d be afraid I’d never find shells for it.


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I’ve got an old Flues model Ithaca double barrel in 16 ga. that was my Great Grandpa’s and a L.C. Smith double barrel 20ga.

I used to carry the 20 ga. and my Dad used the 16 ga. to shoot quite a few rabbits, quail, and doves.


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Originally Posted by Chicken Dinner

I’ve always wanted a 16. Now, I’d be afraid I’d never find shells for it.


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16 and 28 gauge seem to be in stock...