72 NEBRASKAland • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2016
Dove Hunting the Fringe
Sometimes the best spots are far from the crowds.
By Jeff Kurrus
O
n more than one dove hunting
opener, I have walked up to a
public shooting area and felt as
if I were in line for a Husker
football game. Then, once
daylight would come, I'd see hunters
surrounding a sunflower field, with
even more hunters taking spots in the
middle, to shoot doves as they come to
feed. It's not a scenario I necessarily
enjoy. Not only because I don't always
feel safe, but also because I don't think
it's always an effective way to shoot
birds, especially if there is fringe to
hunt close by.
What I look for are paths to and from
feeding areas. These might be grass
fields, forest edges or even a nearby
pond. Because the hunters on the field
are going to keep birds stirred up by
shooting, I have the opportunity to get
some shots on the fringe. It often takes
me a bit of walking to find the perfect
spots to set up, but it's worth the hike
to make sure I not only stay safe, but
get some opening day shooting in.
Think about this method the next
time there are more than a few hunters
on a public field. And remember, the
birds are coming from somewhere. Just
make sure you're placing yourself in
those spots, and you'll get all the open-
ing day shooting you could want. ■
ILLUSTRATION
BY
TIM
REIGERT
When there are more
people than birds on
a public hunting field,
look for fringe areas
(numbered positions
for example) near
feeding sources and
you'll find birds.
Grass
Grass
Grass
Wooded
Edges
Dead
Tree
Dead
Tree
Pond
Empty
Crop
Field
Shelterbelt
Shelterbelt
Empty
Crop
Field
Sunflower
Field
