I used to think dove hunting was supposed to be the easiest way to get into the sport. It’s cheap, close to home, and everyone in my area seemed to do it. Dove hunting is the most popular form of hunting in the U.S., especially in places like Yuma, Arizona, the Imperial Valley, and parts of Texas and California. I figured, how hard could it be? Just grab a shotgun, a few boxes of shells, and I’d be eating dove poppers by sundown. Turns out, dove hunting isn’t just about showing up – it takes real skill, knowledge, and a lot of patience.
Getting Legal and Geared Up
The first step is getting legal: hunter safety course and license. I checked that box early. But what really caught me off guard was how little gear you actually need – just a gun, ammo, and something to carry your shells. Don’t get distracted by all the camo and fancy vests in the catalogs. You can just use a simple vest or belt pouch and a bucket. That bucket, by the way, isn’t just a sea – it carries gear and birds, and it’s a tradition. Experienced hunters call the crowd out on opening day the “bucket brigade,” and I proudly joined that group.
Choosing the Right Shotgun Took Trial and Error
I brought out my old 12-gauge pump the first day. It worked fine, but man, the recoil wore me down after a few boxes of shells. Dove hunting is high-volume shooting – the national average is seven shots per bird. I was easily burning through 10 to 15 rounds for every dove I managed to hit. A lot of hunters favor the 20-gauge now for its lighter recoil, and I have to admit, after switching to my buddy’s 20-gauge semi-auto for a morning shoot, my shoulder and my hit ratio both improved. Lighter gun, less fatigue, better results.
Patterning Was a Game Changer
One thing I never used to bother with – patterning my shotgun. I figured, how different can ammo really be? But other hunters hammered this point home: don’t go out with a shotgun that hasn’t been patterned. Using steel shot here in California, I followed that advice and tested out different brands and choke combos at 25 yards. The results shocked me. One brand was shooting left, another high, and the spread changed drastically with each choke. Patterning let me see exactly how my ammo performed and helped me dial in my skeet choke for opener.
Doves Are Small, Fast, and Annoyingly Agile
On paper, doves aren’t hard to kill. But in the air? Completely different story. These birds fly up to 55 miles per hour, zig-zag, dive, and turn on a dime. Even experienced hunters average four shots per bird – and that’s on a good day. It took me several weekends to get used to leading and following through properly. Practice is everything. I’d go out just to shoot clays in the evenings, mimicking those crazy darting flight paths. Slowly but surely, I started connecting more consistently. But dove hunting taught me one thing quick: this ain’t just blasting clay pigeons.
Learning Dove Habits Was Eye-Opening
What helped the most was understanding dove behavior. Let’s walk through a typical dove’s day: water in the morning, food mid-day, grit in the afternoon, and back to water before roosting. Once I learned to identify those routines, I stopped randomly picking spots and started setting up in fly zones. I even watched them from my backyard – sitting on the coop, pecking at the lawn, perched on the chimney. Doves are creatures of habit, and once I figured out where they flew every day, success got a whole lot easier.
Slot Hunting Changed Everything
My biggest game-changer came when I started using the “slot hunting” technique. Basically, you find a narrow channel between two good spots, like a vineyard and a ditch, and sit there. The birds fly right over, often low and unaware, perfect for an ambush. I found a slot between a sunflower patch and an irrigation canal. Every 15 minutes or so, doves would cruise right over, low and steady. It felt like I’d unlocked a cheat code. That’s when dove hunting became fun, not just frustrating.
Being Patient Was Harder Than I Thought
I’ve heard other hunters make a great comparison: dove hunting is like fishing a lake. You throw your line (or in this case, sit in your bucket), and wait. That first hunt, I made the rookie mistake – ran around trying to find a better spot every 20 minutes. Now I know better. Once you’re in a good area, just wait. Doves move in waves. They’ll come back. I learned to sip my coffee, watch the sky, and wait them out. That patience paid off in full limits more than once.
Identifying Birds Is Not Optional
One older hunter told me a funny (but serious) story about a newbie who shot a duck out of season, thinking it was a dove. It’s easy to do when you’re jump shooting out in the brush. Songbirds, meadowlarks, and even pigeons fly around with doves. Knowing what you’re shooting at isn’t just about ethics – it’s the law. I took time to study silhouettes, flight patterns, and field marks. Morning doves, for example, have a dark spot on the wing and a tapered tail. Once I locked those visuals in, I stopped making dangerous guesses.
Clean Your Birds in the Field
With experience, I had to rethink how I handled birds after the hunt. I watched other hunters breast them right in the field, leave one wing on for ID (as required by California law), and bury the remains. No mess at home, no smelly coolers, no piles of feathers in the driveway. I started doing the same – brought a Ziploc and a folding shovel. It’s cleaner, easier, and way more respectful to the land and the game.
Final Thoughts From a Dove Hunting Convert
Dove hunting is one of the most accessible and enjoyable ways to become a hunter. It’s fun, social, and teaches you everything from marksmanship to patience to field ethics. But it’s not easy – at least not at first. I thought I’d be racking up birds my first morning. Instead, I left with sore shoulders and an empty vest. But with time, patterning, and practice, I got better. And honestly? That’s the part I liked most. Earning it. If you’re new and thinking about getting started, do it. Just be ready to miss a lot – and learn even more.
Would you try dove hunting after hearing all that?
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, John developed a love for the great outdoors early on. With years of experience as a wilderness guide, he’s navigated rugged terrains and unpredictable weather patterns. John is also an avid hunter and fisherman who believes in sustainable living. His focus on practical survival skills, from building shelters to purifying water, reflects his passion for preparedness. When he’s not out in the wild, you can find him sharing his knowledge through writing, hoping to inspire others to embrace self-reliance.