Dove opener

[berettafan]

Anybody else get out for the opener?

I haven't shot the opener in at least a decade. Now that my son is 14 and can handle a shotgun I figured he and I would give it a shot. Got to what I expected would be the best public field about 9:30 to find 3 trucks already there for about a 3 acre plot planted long and skinny. Fortunately a very nice fellow I'd chatted with the prior year later in the season remembered me and says 'hey, set up right here near us'. Thanks buddy!!!

Legal shooting started at noon by which time there were 9 trucks! Turns out we were at the better end of the field and the boy and I had a blast! went through quite a few shells and the boy outshot me. also reconnected with a guy I'd hunted with once or twice a decade + ago. made some plans to catch up and do some fly fishing which I dearly miss and he apparently enjoys quite a bit.

overall a very fun day and a great time with my son. so cool when your kids catch up to your skill level in a hobby you enjoy. dove were cooked after brining with simple salt and pepper and basted in bacon grease. mid rare and I gotta say they were REALLY good. almost tasted like rare prime rib which is interesting as I've read here via Vash that sandhill crane are called the prime rib of the sky.

Hope those of you who enjoy birds are having a good start to the season!

[berettafan]

[Sooner or later]

Limited out both Sat and Sunday. Easy to do in SW Oklahoma

[tevake]

Sounds like a great Day in many ways.
You picked the right time, place and company.
And got a nice meal out of it too.

Thanks for sharing.
Richard

[jrj3rd]

Take the breast, place a piece of pepperoncini next to it and wrap half a slice of bacon around it. Grill and enjoy. Best poppers ever. We used to take a small grill out to the field on opening day. Finish shooting birds, light grill, drink, eat and shoot bull. Our group never had a dove breast make it back across the bay. Great times

[berettafan]

Jr are you taking them off the breast plate before cooking?

[jrj3rd]

yes. We just pop the breasts out and debone. Take the dove nugget and proceed. Have never plucked a dove in my life. Clip wings and use thumb to pull breast out.

[berettafan]

Oh for sure I just pop the breastbone out. Easy as can be. Just wanted to see if you’re deboning before cooking.

[cabmandone]

All of those birds would have made it safely to their destination if I was the one doing the shooting.