They are roughly the same size as, or maybe a bit smaller than, their cousin, the pigeon. Doves also have more-pointed tails than pigeons. Mourning doves are named for their mournful, cooing call. Mourning doves are swift fliers and regularly cruise at about 30 mph, but can reach speeds of more than 60 mph. This, in addition to their twisting and turning while in flight, makes them difficult targets for dove hunters. Where to Find Them. Most dove hunting is done near agricultural fields, such as oats, wheat, rye, sunflower, canola, beans or other small grains.
Doves also feed in weed fields that produce small seeds. In addition to food, water is an important consideration for dove hunters. The best hunting areas have good food sources in close proximity to water sources and roosting cover. Some hunters set up along water sources, where they wait for doves in the evening. Decoys are commonly used in trees, along fence lines or next to water.
Pass shooting is also popular. Some of the best dove hunting occurs on private lands. Be sure to get landowner permission before hunting on private lands. FFLIGHT also allows hunters to use aerial maps, topography and measuring tools to easily navigate and identify areas of interest and make their trips more productive and enjoyable.
Doves use a wide range of habitats, but fields with an abundance of weed seeds or grain, open gravel areas, and water sources are all good locations to find doves. Successful hunting is usually a product of good scouting. If you are looking for a way to introduce a new hunter to bird hunting, then dove hunting is a good opportunity. Remember: Non-toxic shot required for hunting mourning doves on department managed lands. Scout out a spot that contains as many of these things as you can find, and you should find doves.
Cut corn, wheat, soybean or harvested grain fields are dove magnets. You can observe where the birds enter the field and pass shoot them, but decoys are often a better tactic. I like to get in before first light and set up my decoys.
Note that doves, like other birds, like to land into the wind. Another trick I use is to also place a few barn pigeon decoys next to the dove decoys. Feral barn pigeons often feed with doves, and are larger and more visible.
I have often killed them on farm country dove hunts, and they cook up just as good as the doves. Doves will use just about any water they can find: Anything from a crystal-clear pond to a muddy puddle in a tractor trail. Any exposed sand pits or fine gravel also draws doves. Use decoys and remember not to over-hunt and burn out your spot.
Relentless shooting pressure will make the birds find a safer water or grit source. As with a lot of other birds, freshly spread manure will draw doves and pigeons. When out hunting doves, you will begin to notice birds using well-defined flight lines to move from roosting cover to feeding sites or water. These are often farm roads, tree lines or field edges. Doves can be pass shot by setting up on a flight line early in the day or towards evening.
Decoys can be set on fences or trees to attract or at least slow down passing birds for a shot. Wisconsin law requires the use of steel shot on public lands for doves, and shotguns to be plugged to hold no more than three shells. I have no problem with using steel, as a lot of my dove hunts are done along with early September goose hunts, where the possession of lead shot is prohibited anyway. Only a few pellets are required for a clean kill on doves.
I will admit to having no time to change shells during an October goose hunt when a big migrating flock of doves buzzed me in a cut cornfield.
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