Question- Have any of these posts made you just think “Gahh I want to {dove hunt, duck hunt, fish, travel} like right now?” Girls (and non-hunting guys), has the bright side of the road inspired you to get into hunting? For some, it may mean just grabbing a camouflage shirt, throwing on some boots, and walking out of the door straight to the stand. You lucky ducks. For others, it takes a bit more planning and preparation. And as far as planning and preparation go, have any of these posts made you realize something you typically forget, or would like to have, when heading out for your adventures? Anyone who knows me knows that I have an obsession with enjoy making lists… Lots and lots of lists. Sometimes, they’re even color coded. But that is beside the point.
With dove season just around the corner, it’s my dove hunting essentials in a convenient list. Hope it helps!
First and foremost, you can’t shoot a dove without your weapon. I have quite a crush on the gun I just to dove hunt – a 1964 Browning Belgium over/under. Now, I always use a .20ga when I am dove hunting, but I know a lot of you dudes enjoy your big bad .12ga ones. Girls – I promise, it is not necessary :). My dad gave me this gun a few years ago for Christmas in August, just in time for dove season. It. Is. Fan. Tastic. You can only see the barrel in the picture above… Sorry…
Argentina is a different story, though. With such high-volume shooting, constantly breaking open your o/u would tire you out much too quickly, and you would lose valuable time in the field that could be used knocking down a triple. Enter the Beretta AL391. Also a .20ga (there are other gauges available), this one is ideal for dove hunting as well.
Trust me- I am by no means a gun aficionado, nor would I claim to be one. These are just my go-tos. Aren’t my dad and I cute with our matching guns? Just kidding. But seriously, we match.
Don’t forget shells, either. That would not be good. Not at all.
Now, beyond the obvious essential of a gun… There is a myriad of gear that hunters deem “essentials” in the field, but here I have compiled only the things that I always wear/take with me. Should be good enough to get you started.
Pretty self-explanatory. Don’t spook the doves by wearing tie-dye or an ugly Clemson shirt (sorry… I couldn’t help it). Keep in mind, it is typically pretty hot during dove seasons – like, real hot – so breathable clothing is key.
Some people might not see these two as “essential,” but I try to never forget them. Obviously, shooting glasses can easily be replaced with your regular sunglasses, you just want to protect your peepers from gunpowder, dust, bird poo… You get it. Earplugs not your thing? Good luck being deaf as a doornail by the time you’re 40. No? Just ask my dad… No offense, Dad, but you’re pretty hard of hearing, and I know it’s because you didn’t wear earplugs until like 8 years ago.
Don’t get me wrong – it’s not like I sit down the entire time I am dove hunting. Adrenaline starts pumping when the birds start flying, and sitting down to rest is the last thing on my mind. But then it slows down, and its hot… like, real hot, remember? Please don’t pass out from this ridiculously hot heat in South Carolina. It’s nice to have a little reprieve, plus you can keep a cold one in there, and keep the doves you knock down off of the ground and away from ants. We want to be able to clean and eat them, after all, right? Just like shell bags, there are hundreds of kinds of dove stools, from super fancy to super basic. Mine is just like this one (similar here)- a little taller and at an angle. You can more or less just rest against it, making it easier to stand up quickly.
No, I do not wear gloves every time I hunt… Don’t worry. I decided to give shooting gloves a nod on this list just because of how necessary they are for high-volume shooting. I kid you not, I have a burn mark on my leg from when I sat down and tried to rest my gun across my lap. That barrel was hot. LEFT A SCAR kind of hot. You need to be able to at least hold on to your gun, right? Exactly. Not a huge necessity, but when you need them, you really need them.
You didn’t think I would forget the pups, did you? Where would we be without our best friends? Spending too much time searching for downed birds and too little time actually hunting, that’s where.
Eeek, ok now I am even more excited to get back out in the field. Who’s with me?!
Oh yea… Don’t forget a few of these for a post-hunt thirst quencher. Definitely an essential.
Hi Hollis seems you find a good spot! Hope you have us on your next trip and fly to Nicaragua for Dove and Duck Hunting.