Sept.1 = Dove Opener...

[lowyder993s]

...who went?

30 min tonite, went 3 for 3.

Usually the Imperial Valley you can get your 10 in 30-45 min. Now there are Eurasian doves there...bout the size of a pigeon...no limit on those.

[porsche4life]

Going out Thursday.

[vash]

i havent been dove hunting for years...not sure why.

[Schumi]

I haven't been in forever. Don't live near someone with hunting property.


I remember going when I was younger with a friend, we'd bag 3 or 4 by 8AM and have dove steak and eggs for breakfast. I remember it being superb eating.

[vash]

my step dad was best friends with UTEP basketball coach Don Haskins. the man had some contact list. my bro and i would come along with some loaner high $$ over/unders and simply clean house...these guys would drink like cheney with guns and couldnt shoot the inside of a barn. in NM, at their dove parties..they would shoot hundreds of white wing doves.

sadly, i think i quit because of the insanity of it all. those doves didnt stand a chance.

[berettafan]

First 9/1 I missed in 6 years or so.

[stogie25]

We went yesterday. We usually have our limit by mid morning. It was VERY foggy, and between all of us we only saw 3 doves. Some of the guys are trying again this morning. With or without doves it is still a great end of summer party.

[blk911]

went yesterday near Austin. Fine day, finally cooled down just below 100 and got a limit without a lot of work. I love opening day, kicks off college football, other hunting seasons, the fall, and cooler weather.

[tcar]

Used to go in Albuquerque every year (Rio Grande Valley)... with a single shot .410 as a kid.

Haven't been for years. Never in Colorado.

Never got fully into eating them though.

[dedbird]

It was also the blue grouse opener. That must be the most underrated game bird. Two hunters, four in the bag. Spent time working a young pointer on the young birds without shooting the little ones. Then went up higher in elevation where the big males were hanging out. Could have limited easily if that was the goal. Good year for grouse in Colorado.

[lowyder993s]

Originally Posted by dedbird

It was also the blue grouse opener. That must be the most underrated game bird. Two hunters, four in the bag. Spent time working a young pointer on the young birds without shooting the little ones. Then went up higher in elevation where the big males were hanging out. Could have limited easily if that was the goal. Good year for grouse in Colorado.

We call 'em stupid chickens...easy to let the air out of them w/ a bow..make a nice change of pace around the campfire while waiting to arrow an elk.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I'll be going Sunday and Monday.

[porsche4life]

Went today. Got a few shots off but no kills. Only saw a few. My room mate got 1 woo boy.

[m21sniper]

Unless there are zombie doves i see no point in shooting small white birds.

But to each their own. Congrats to those of you who did well.

[jyl]

Do you guys eat them? Are they good or is it a "tastes like chicken" thing?

[berettafan]

med/rare on the grill with a little salt and pepper rubbed in olive oil.

don't even need bacon if you're careful not to overcook.

jyl they are the gateway game food. once you've gotten a taste for dove most store bought poultry tastes horribly bland by comparison.

easy to clean and VERY fun to shoot. they are the appetizer to serious hunting seasons (duck in particular) to follow.

[berettafan]

from a dove hunt last year near Mazatlan.......




was really bummed the group opted not to take the dove back to the hotel as i'm sure they could've cooked up a fantastic meal for us. but you can see there is zero waste...

[m21sniper]

It's awesome that you guys gave the natives the meat.

Good job bro.

[berettafan]

gave those kids a few dollars as well. the beaming smiles and giggling are from that actually!

that 'house' is where we dropped off the bird boys (aka guys). we saw the kids and their mom picking birds while the locals were hopping out and gave the kids a few bucks. i was nearly in tears at their reaction. really a moving moment.

[blk911]

Originally Posted by jyl

Do you guys eat them? Are they good or is it a "tastes like chicken" thing?

First of all, filet them from the breast cartilege, marinate overnight in a zip lock bag with italian dressing, lemon pepper, garlic, sliced jalepenos a little worcheshire and whatever else you want to throw in. Next take the pieces and sandwich in a jalepeno slice and a slice of monterrey jack cheese, wrap in bacon, secure with toothpick. Grill over coals (while enjoying german soda water, beer for you non square heads) until bacon looks done, enjoy one of the finest morsels you ever put in your mouth. Does not taste like chicken, one million times better!