Nebraskaland

14 Nebraskaland • August-September 2024 IN THE FIELD Dove hunting is one of the most challenging hunts around; these fast-flying acrobats of the sky can outmaneuver some of the best wing shooters. Here are a few tips to increase your dove hunting success. Pattern that Shotgun The first item on your to-do list is to pattern your shotgun. This important step allows shooters to gain knowledge on how their shotgun shoots while using different brands of ammunition at different distances and with different chokes. For doves, most hunters use lead shot size 7 to 9; if you're hunting in an area that requires steel shot, use No. 6. Most dove hunters use an improved or modified choke for doves at ranges 25 to 35 yards. Pattern your shotgun using different combinations to find what works best for you. When you determine which brand, load and shot size produce the best pattern at the distance you normally take most of your shots, buy a few boxes of those shells and head for the practice range. Practice Shooting Shooting sporting clays is probably the best way to increase your accuracy for doves, as these clays are fast moving and can change direction. It will also allow you to correct mistakes in form and technique and learn to estimate leads at various angles and distances. Scout for Birds Scouting for birds is the next step for success. Finding watering holes, food sources, roosting areas and flyways frequently used between each of these areas will help you pattern doves. Scout several locations before the season so you can move from place to place. Too much hunting pressure in one area can quickly ruin the hunt. Always ask for permission on private lands. Stay still and hidden once you find a location to hunt. Dress in camouflage that matches the location. Doves can quickly flare at movement and colors that don't fit in the terrain. Find cover by using the landscape, vegetation and shaded areas to conceal yourself. Decoys Use decoys to put birds at ease and bring them in range for a shot. Clip decoys to sunflowers, fence wires or tree branches for a realistic setup. Set decoys at different distances to help you determine whether a bird is close enough to shoot. One tip: If you can see a dove's feathers and they appear dark, the bird is most likely in range. If the bird is a light gray blur, it's probably too far out. Last, hunt later in the season. Once other dove hunters have stopped hunting, a new set of doves may come to use an area. A good cold spell in northern areas can send birds migrating south, giving hunters another chance at doves before they migrate onward. By Julie Geiser INCREASE YOUR DOVE HUNTING SUCCESS Angelo Becerra of Omaha hunts doves with his sons, Angelo Jr. and Adrian, in a food plot planted with sunflowers at Helmuth Marsh Public Access Area in Lancaster County. ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND

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