[ShotgunPro]

Just got my hunting license and stamp because I'm going dove hunting for the first time tomorrow! I've had my Remington 870 for a while now, but only ever shot clays and such with it.

I'm excited finally to go hunting! Anybody have any tips/hints/advice for a first-timer?

 

[ShotgunPro]

Lead 'em by about a foot.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Take about 50 more rounds than you think you might use. Haha No really its a blast have fun

 

[ShotgunPro]

You'll love it and it is addictive. The main thing is keep your eye on the one you shoot as he goes down they are hard to find.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Im gonna pass along the same advise give to me when I started.

They are farther away and moving faster than you think they are.

If you dont have a dog, retrieve your bird before going after the next one.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Take about 50 more rounds than you think you might use. Haha No really its a blast have fun

+1 to the extra rounds!!

 

[ShotgunPro]

On your first outing, you will shoot a CASE of shells and bring home a Dozen birds if you are a good wing shot. Those things can MOVE! They have been clocked at 55 mph! It's not as easy as it looks. Once you figure out how much to lead them, you will improve fast.

Good luck.

 

[ShotgunPro]

+1 to the extra rounds!!

I have a vest that holds 24 shells in individual shell loops, and has other pockets for additional shells that I intend to fill up. I only have 75 rounds at the moment. Should I bring more than that?

Also, do you guys carry a sidearm with you when you go out hunting? For some reason, it just seems appropriate. I'm also wondering out in the desert what the chances are of running into an angry javelina or something. Plus, since I've started carrying concealed, it's becoming more and more a part of me and I feel weird leaving it at home. BUT I'm also going to already be loaded down with shotgun shells, water, and my 870 and I don't know that I want to lug around the extra weight...

 

[ShotgunPro]

I have a vest that holds 24 shells in individual shell loops, and has other pockets for additional shells that I intend to fill up. I only have 75 rounds at the moment. Should I bring more than that?

Also, do you guys carry a sidearm with you when you go out hunting? For some reason, it just seems appropriate. I'm also wondering out in the desert what the chances are of running into an angry javelina or something. Plus, since I've started carrying concealed, it's becoming more and more a part of me and I feel weird leaving it at home. BUT I'm also going to already be loaded down with shotgun shells, water, and my 870 and I don't know that I want to lug around the extra weight...

You can probably forgo your sidearm *IF* you can remember to bring along a few rounds that you will under no circumstances fire in your shotgun except for personal defense. It will make a better defense weapon than your sidearm ever can.

as far as how much ammo can be spent in an afternoon birding a small fast bird like a dove... go get an extra box or two LOL

unlike clays, real birds rarely fly in a straight line

since you'll probably out and about for some time, i might suggest you have a good backpack to lug your gear with ya, or at least plan on restocking part way through the day by looping back to your vehicles to help ease the load. This all of course depends on the area you'll be hunting and how long you'll be out in the field.

also, please remember to wear comfortable broken in shoes that are correct for the terrain you'll be traveling. As an extra precaution, i never travel out without at LEAST one pair of clean dry socks with me. Hiking around can be sweaty work under the best of conditions, and personally speaking putting on a nice fresh pair of socks can add a little spring back into your step.

and among everything else, remember to have fun & be safe !

 

[ShotgunPro]

You can probably forgo your sidearm *IF* you can remember to bring along a few rounds that you will under no circumstances fire in your shotgun except for personal defense. It will make a better defense weapon than your sidearm ever can.

Just make sure you're not breaking any laws. I hunt dove on a wetlands area and there are heavy fines if you're caught with anything but steel shot.

I usually take 4 boxes for a long hunt. I usually need about 2.5 to 3 boxes to shoot my limit of 12 doves, which is a ratio of roughly 5 shells per dead bird. A lot of folks are better but I'm not a supreme dove shot.

 

[ShotgunPro]

get ready to have a sore shoulder I went Saturday, got my limit and am very sore... but going back today. We will see how this works out. I am swapping to my Benelli 20ga today so maybe it will go easy on the arm. And Im more accurate with it anyways.

Happy shooting!

 

[ShotgunPro]

Shows how long it's been since I hunted doves. Last time I went out the limit was 20 a day and 20 in possession.

 

[ShotgunPro]

don't pull the trigger before the buttstock is firmly on your shoulder

I think your fine on ammo.

+1 watch where they fall, go get it before shooting another or your bordering on unethical stupidity.

wear ear protection... tinnitus sucks I have it from dove hunting, I suggest surefires ep3s for that activity. my father does as well.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Just make sure you're not breaking any laws. I hunt dove on a wetlands area and there are heavy fines if you're caught with anything but steel shot.

He should be okay in the Phoenix area.

 

[ShotgunPro]

unlike clays, real birds rarely fly in a straight line

I have let a few slip by because they were flying too straight coming in and I figured they were trash birds.

don't pull the trigger before the buttstock is firmly on your shoulder

I think your fine on ammo.

+1 watch where they fall, go get it before shooting another or your bordering on unethical stupidity.

wear ear protection... tinnitus sucks I have it from dove hunting, I suggest surefires ep3s for that activity. my father does as well.

I dont wear hearing protection when Im in an open field. A hat and eye protection definitely, but we are always yelling back and forth, letting others know when they are looking in the wrong direction, low birds in the mornings, stuff like that.

On the subject of retrieval, Oklahoma law requires you to retrieve and kill any wounded birds immediately. so outside of unethical, youre also illegal for not making an effort to retrieve.