First time Mourning Dove scout/Pigeon and Euro hunt

[Turtle]

This is my first dove season. I don’t know what I’m doing. Fortunately, my friend does and we made our way down to the desert last Saturday morning.

Goal was scout mourning dove and basic training for me on the pigeon and euros. I really wish I would have shot trap or some other practice first but I still came home with some birds.

Brought down 13 pigeon and 5 Euros on the day. Unfortunately there were a couple I couldn’t recover that got stuck in a tree or their momentum carried them onto private. I was definitely trigger shy for the first hour until I was confident in differentiating the Mourning and Eurasian doves.

I went through 5 boxes of shells. I’ve never shot my shotgun that much. It was a literal blast. The shot process on a moving target is completely different than aiming the gun. I mostly missed but there were a few shots that felt pure. I’m hooked.

Avian-X spinners and decoys were effective in bringing them in range. I shot #7.5 steel but think I will use #6 next time.

Very thankful for to be gaining this experience. I’m excited for the opener! ️

 

[MAG 1]

Careful with your pictures or you will have the whole neighborhood hunting with you.

 

[NBK]

Good for you! Stay with it.

 

[Stikbrandon]

Get em!

 

[HATCHET1]

Post him when get him!! Standing by!! LFG

 

[ilovesprig]

Good work, buddy...................

In your minds eye, imagine throwing a football to a receiver...You don't throw where he is...You throw where he's going to be...Eventually, it will become second nature...See bird, lead bird, pull trigger.

Your gun fitting has a great deal to do with your shooting ability or lack of as well...I shoot Benelli...So, I float the target (shoots a little high)...Meaning, I can see the bird when I pull the trigger.

Every person and gun are different...So, realizing where your gun shoots for YOU is very important...This can be done in a number of ways, but shooting at paper is a good starting point (25-30 yds).

Good luck..............

ps...I like steel 7's, way, way better for dove...Soft feathers and small bodied birds, you want density in that pattern ......

 

[Turtle]

I have cross dominance. I shoot righty but I am left eye dominant. Should I just learn this game left handed instead? Am I worm holing with this thought?

 

[Bobevans]

Agree on the 7’s - steel 6 has too much space in the pattern for small birds in my experience

 

[ilovesprig]

I have cross dominance. I shoot righty but I am left eye dominant. Should I just learn this game left handed instead? Am I worm holing with this thought?

I too am left eye dominant...I was born a left handed shooter, but because there were very few options for left handed trap guns...I switched to righty at about 14 years old...It has not been a problem...Remember, you point a shotgun (turkey hunting the exception).

Here's a little exercise you can do...Go outside and point your left pointing finger at any flying object (birds are best)...As the bird passes by, move out in front like your shooting and pull the opposite trigger finger...It will give you the concept of lead and follow thru...Very simple exercise and to this day, I still do it.

Early on, I wore black dot over my shooting glasses (I shot with both eyes open)...Later on, I simply closed my left eye.

The positioning of your arms are important too and how you bring up your shotgun (always lean forward)...Do NOT put your gun up to the shooting position until your about ready to shoot...It's all one motion...As you raise the gun, safety goes off, and you start your point or sustained lead...NEVER take the safety off with the anticipation of a bird coming...Like I mentioned, it comes off as you raise the gun.

ps...One more thing, the gun stock comes up to your cheek...Your cheek does not go down to your stock.

pss...Sorry for the long read...They write books about shooting.................

 

[HATCHET1]

I tied #3,s left arm behind his back when he was a small child for years to rid him of that lefty curse..it didn't work..he still is a Lefty...and his mama is still mad at me ..damn