Salton Sea Dove Hunting

[pexinfo]

I have hunted dove at the sea for nearly 30 years, and up until 2020 I did very well. I heard many of the farmers switch from grain crops to produce and that took away most of the dove food, so the hunting tanked as of 2020 and I have not been back since. I really miss the extreme heat, humidity and dust, and would love to hunt there again, but it is a long drive to shoot one or two birds. Did anyone hunt dove down at the sea last year or have any news or advice?
Thanks,
Al

 

[AndrewSD]

I have hunted dove at the sea for nearly 30 years, and up until 2020 I did very well. I heard many of the farmers switch from grain crops to produce and that took away most of the dove food, so the hunting tanked as of 2020 and I have not been back since. I really miss the extreme heat, humidity and dust, and would love to hunt there again, but it is a long drive to shoot one or two birds. Did anyone hunt dove down at the sea last year or have any news or advice?
Thanks,
Al

Hey there — I didn't hunt that area before 2020, but I’ve been going down to the Sea the last 3–4 seasons.


It really depends on what kind of dove you're after. If you're just after the seasonal mourning doves, that’s one thing. But if you're okay going after Eurasian collared doves (which are open year-round), that opens up more opportunities.


There are definitely still plenty of doves around the Salton Sea — but the results can vary a lot depending on the specific area (private land, BLM, or special hunt zones) and timing. The BLM and special zones usually have great numbers on opening day, then taper off quickly.


Here’s a great resource you can use each year — check the 2024 Imperial Valley Dove Hunt Fields map here:
wildlife.ca.gov Dove Map
Direct PDF link


Good luck!

 

[WaterDawg]

Fake news. Plenty of dove if you mean the Imperial Valley. Specifically “at the Salton Sea” I can’t say. Go down and scout around the day before opener and you should find birds.

 

[HATCHET1]

I've got a rescue that hangs out in my garage..his name is Donny..I could never bring myself to harm a dove...give peace a chance..