Hunting News Updates
Rut Begins / Full Moon Madness/Hunt Club/Missouri/Kansas/Private Land/Illinois/Deer Hunting/Iowa
Does the moon have any effect on the rut? One researcher's findings suggest so.
"The rut is starting earlier this year."
I hear this almost every year without fail. It doesn't come any earlier than the last year or the year prior. It begins the same time every year, triggered by - what some researchers believe - the shortening of the daylight hours. The deer don't have a calendar and say, "It's the middle of November, let's start breeding. It's been awhile."
Wildlife researcher Wayne Laroche is wrapping up a 15-year study that includes the rut, its effects with the moon phase, start dates, intensities and other aspects of the whitetail's breeding season. His research shows a direct correlation that intensity and interest picks up a few days before the second full moon following the fall equinox and will last for a week or so following the full moon phase. Laroche's studies also have shown the rut repeats itself every 11 years within days and is very close every three or four years. Therefore, the rut can be predictable by looking not at the days on the calendar, but at the moon phases following the first day of fall.
A mature buck has many defenses, but his biggest weakness is breeding season. He may let his guard down only for a few hours; this is the time to be in waiting. Hunt the does during this time and if you find a concentration of does, the bucks will come looking for a date.
Timing is everything - or so it is said - but humans mark time by the calendar and the clock. Animals have no sense of time; they only do what is natural to them. If disturbed, they will jump, fly or run to a safer area. When hungry, they move into their feeding grounds and when breeding season comes around, they follow their instincts, doing what nature intended.
Many of the Midwest states like Kansas, Iowa and Missouri will see results within days of each other; while eastern Illinois may experience the rut up to a week earlier.
Many hunters believe once the rut is over hunting season is over when in reality nothing can be farther from the truth a doe will come back into heat every 28 days or so until she is bred. This late season often provides hotter action for hunters as the weather has turned colder making the "second rut" more intense than the first.
Five Tips / Bag Limit Ringnecks/Pheasants/Hunt private land/Missouri/Kansas/South Dakota/Nebraska
There is good news and bad news for pheasant hunters. The downward cycle of the population is starting to turn around. This is the good news. The bad news is - a hunter is going to work and work hard to get a limit of birds.
Veteran pheasant guide and upland bird hunter Kelly Bryan of Big Springs Hunting Preserve near Montezuma, Iowa which is operated by Brownells, Inc. recommends these tips to bag your limit of ringnecks.
1. Sharpen your shooting skills
"Spend time at your local gun range honing your shooting skills before you go to the field," says Bryan, who prefers sporting clays over any other shooting discipline as it most resembles actual hunting conditions. Everyone gets rusty over the summer and by shooting sporting clays you will be in top shooting condition.
2. Match your load to the game
Bryan recommends cleaning the shells left in the pockets from the last shooting session. "Make sure you take the loads that aren't compatible with the shotgun you are using out of your hunting vest or coat." advises Bryan. While a load of 7 1/2's will do little but punch holes in the sky, a 20 gauge shell accidently loaded in front of a 12 gauge shell is a recipe for disaster.
3. Keep yourself in good physical condition
By keeping yourself in good physical condition you will ensure you will be able to get to the areas you want to hunt and areas that have birds.
Bryan has guided many hunters who weren't in good physical condition and their ability to effectively hunt was hampered greatly.
Hunters who aren't using dogs especially need to be in great shape to cover the amount of ground which must be covered to flush birds." You need to be in shape so you can physically go where you want to go" says Bryan.
4. Keep your dog in top condition and ensure the dog knows its commands.
"Keeping a good handle on your dog will make or break a successful hunt. The last thing you need is a renegade dog busting birds or running off way ahead of you while hunting." claims Bryan.
Proper etiquette in the field - only the dog's owner /handler should give any commands to the dog.
5. Take your time when taking the shot
"Many hunters hurry their shot. By doing this, it does not give the shot column a chance to spread out to cleanly take the bird. You have plenty of time to get a good bead on the bird so don't hurry the shot," says Bryan.
This fall don't despair over the reported bird count. There are plenty of birds to be had. States like Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota still have plenty of birds. With a little determination, shoe leather and following Bryan's tips, you too can limit out on ringnecks.
Would you like to discuss bird hunting call us at 1.800.341.3444 to learn more about hunting private property.
Advanced Deer Hunting Tactics That Work
Many die hard hunters overlook calling deer . They believe it only works in other states with lopsided deer populations.
Hunters who have experimented with calling - either rattling antlers or a grunt call with no success automatically file away that it doesn't work.
"Calling doesn't work every time you try it," claims Jerry Peterson of Woods Wise Calls, "but if you give it a few tries it will work and will become one of your favorite methods for hunting deer."
Calling can be effective throughout the season even early season; however, you can't blow a doe- in- heat bleat call in mid September and expect a buck to come to it.
Calls serve many purposes - as an attractant of the opposite sex - calls such as doe in heat bleats, same sex calls like grunt calls or rattling antlers. Other calls pique a deer's curiosity and now one call imitates a prime food source. Of course, I'm talking about the new call, The Kruncher by H-S Specialties, which imitates deer eating acorns .
H-S Specialties pro staffer, Alex Rutledge of Birch Tree, Missouri claims The Kruncher has a calming effect on deer. Even after missing a shot on a great Iowa buck, the buck spooked and ran off; however, Rutledge was able to calm the deer down. Later, the same afternoon it came back into range giving Rutledge a second chance which he capitalized.
When calling deer, it is imperative to use a cover scent as deer have a habit of circling downwind.
Another aspect of fooling all of a deer's senses is using a decoy when calling deer. Seasoned hunters that keep decoys in their deer hunting strategy playbook warn first timers to brace themselves, as one buck might skulk its way toward the decoy while the next might charge the decoy knocking it to the ground.
One word of advice, use caution when transporting your decoy to your stand area. Drape hunter orange material over the decoy and be sure to set up out of sight from roads that cross the property either private or public.
If you haven't tried calling deer, it is time to try one of the most exciting methods to hunt trophy bucks.
Six Scouting Tips Every Deer Hunter
Scouting is one of the most overlooked aspects of hunting. Many hunters blindly traipse around the woods hoping to find a likely area where a deer might cross. Though success can occur, scouting the area you will be hunting is by far the best way to learn the area and the travel routes of a trophy buck.
These six tips will help you harvest a trophy buck
1. Hunt small game to learn the area and look for early season sign
Many hunters use small game hunting for their scouting excursions, choosing to add a squirrel or two to their larder while checking out a potential area. Squirrels make good neighbors and both deer and squirrels partake in the acorn mast each fall. Where you find squirrels, deer won't be too far away.
2. Match your hunting style to your scouting
Archers must scout differently than rifle hunters while both are looking for trails and deer sign, archers are looking for precise stand placement areas where they can hang their stands or blinds to be in close proximity of the trails which isn't as critical when gun hunting.
3. Scout food sources early season
The key to early season success is finding the food source the deer are using. In many states this means hunting planted crops. As the days begin to get shorter, the food source changes in much of the whitetail home range. This means acorns though other areas might see a different food source.
4. Where the girls are
By mid October whitetail bucks begin the pre-rut rituals and by mid November the rut is in full swing. Find the does and the bucks won't be far away.
Knowing the areas where the scrapes and rubs are located once the rut heats up, will increase the odds of connecting.
5. Scout scent- free
Many hunters will go into an area in their street clothes. I prefer to shower and wear the same scent- free clothing. Take the same precautions as though you were hunting. Not going scent-free will signal your presence to the deer. Don't forget to go through the same scent-free process when hanging stands either before season or during season. This includes rubber soled boots and gloves.
6. Non-intrusive scouting
Expert hunter and TV personality, Dan Perez of Whitetail Properties believes the best time to scout for big buck is after the season closes; especially when snow is on the ground. Perez prefers non- intrusive scouting in the months leading to deer season - erecting stands or blinds and planting and maintaining food plots in early August. Once they are in place Perez chooses to glass the areas - not setting foot in them until opening day.
Most hardcore deer hunters stress the importance of scouting by following their example you can harvest a buck of your dreams, too.
You Want Big Buck/Harvest an Antlerless Deer/Missouri Kansas Illinois Nebraska Deer/Private Land
If you switch on any one of the outdoor related channels you will notice much of the hunting being focused on the whitetail buck - mostly large antlered whitetail bucks.
For a buck to get to Boone & Crockett proportions a deer needs three elements; nutrition, genetics and age. Simply put, he must remain alive long enough to realize this potential.
According to the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), 1999 was a landmark turning point for deer hunters. It marked the first time in United States history that more antlerless deer were harvested than antlered deer. Since then, many states have imposed antler restrictions on antlered deer in an attempt to harvest older mature deer.
Just what are antler restrictions and what is their goal? Antler restrictions are a strategy to protect an age class of antlered deer namely 1 1/2 year old bucks which at one time made up over 60 percent of the overall deer harvest, nationwide.
Presently, 22 states have adopted antler restrictions in some form. Antler restrictions vary from state to state and are not a one size fits all blanket restriction. What works for Illinois might not be a good fit for Kansas.
Antler restrictions, along with liberal bag limits of antlerless deer, have paid off for hunters. For example, in Missouri, a four point restriction was put into place in 2004, after a five year period there were 40 percent more Boone & Crockett bucks harvested and recorded than any other five year period. Missouri does not impose a statewide four point antler restriction.
The antler restriction helps accomplish two of the elements needed to grow big antlers. By harvesting antlerless deer, the carrying capacity (The number of deer that can be supported in a given area within natural resource limits to include food and habitat) increases in regards to available food and available habitat. It also protects 1 1/2 year old antlered deer. The degree of antler restrictions is usually controlled and decided upon by each respected state's division of wildlife. For example, Mississippi has the most progressive antler restrictions using a combination of antler points, antler spread and beam length; while others utilize a simple spread measurement or point restriction.
Many states offer an "Earn a Buck" tag which requires a hunter to harvest at least one antlerless deer before they are allowed to take a buck. These states have had reasonable success in reducing deer populations. Without the Earn a Buck program, some hunters choose not to take a doe and harvest an antlered deer instead. Without the Earn a Buck program in states with a deer population problem, there are more does which in turn means more fawns in the spring and the cycle continues.
So if you are ready to harvest a Boone & Crockett buck for yourself... Take an antlerless deer, first.
Trail Cam Common Mistakes
Avoid Six Common Mistakes Deer Hunters Make Using Trail Cameras Hunting Missouri Kansas Illinois
Brad Mormann is a biologist with Missouri firm, Woods & Associates, Inc., that specializes in developing site specific wildlife and habitat management plans for private and corporate landowners across the whitetails range. He takes and examines more than 150,000 trail camera photos annually.
More from necessity than by choice, Mormann has become very good at using trail cameras.
Here is Mormann's list of mistakes to avoid when using trail cameras.
#1: Getting stuck in a flash rut.
"Today's trail cameras use two types of flash - IR (infrared) and incandescent flash - both have their advantages. Though great image scan be taken with the incandescent flash, the deer may be put off by these interruptions and avoid the area, are trade-offs, IR units provide no visible flash and are less likely to spook the deer, but the images aren't as clear," states Mormann.
The incandescent flash can alert deer to a hunter's presence." Some deer don't mind having their photo taken. The flash doesn't seem to bother them, while other deer avoid the areas where they have experienced the flash",says Mormann.
#2: Location, Location, Location
Camera shy deer can be photographed on a regular basis by changingthe location of your cameras. This will also prevent being patterned by deer.
#3: Lack of Power
Mormann suggests using lithium batteries over alkaline or nickel-metal hydride cell, or NiMH rechargeable batteries. Lithium batteries hold their charge better and are not affected by cold weather.
#4: Dust off your old cameras.
If you have some older cameras with slower trigger speeds, Use them on food plots because the deer are typically moving at a slower pace and utilizing an area for longer periods of time which allows the camera plenty of trigger time to record the image of the deer' suggests Mormann.
Tip #5: Get a different perspective.
Most hunters hang their game cameras perpendicular to an active trail. . A good perpendicular photo can provide useful information such as antler size and age of a particular buck; however, Mormann warns it must have a fast trigger speed in order to take good visible photos, due its close proximity to the intended target. "By simply moving the camera farther away from the trail, you may not capture a clear,usable image, especially if you are using an incandescent type camera. The flash has a certain range and anything beyond that range of the flash makes the images useless," says Mormann.
Instead Mormann recommends mounting the camera at an angle facing toward the anticipated direction of travel, rather than perpendicular or directly down a trail. A camera facing directly down a trail won't be triggered in time to take a good usable photo.
Tip #6: Being in the right place at the right time.
Many hunters hang their cameras and capture great photos of some nice bucks or other game coming into the food plot and then hang their stands close by.
But next time you see some of these photos notice how many of these photos capture deer visiting feeders, nocturnally. Most hunters don't take this into account.
Instead Mormann suggests eliminating non productive stand sights with the trail cameras.
"If deer are only visiting a food plot at night, chances of them showing up while you are on the stand is small." claims Mormann. Likewise, sitting over a scrape while occasionally productive seldom reaps great rewards -studies have shown that 85 percent of scrapes are checked after dark.
Using a topography map of the property, mark where each camera is located and plot the time the deer in the photo is using a certain area. By studying where the deer are during the daylight hours a pattern can be established increasing the chances a deer will come by your stand while you are in it.
Like all technology, the new breeds of trail cameras have a learning curve. Using these tips will straighten the curve and stack the odds in your favor.
Hunt Club Allow Hunters to Gain Access to Private Land/ Deer Hunting
New rifle and scope... $1,200
Head to toe camouflage in the newest pattern... $300
Having the whole farm to yourself...priceless
One of the biggest complaints hunters have today is the loss of private land to hunt.
Not so long ago, a hunter would simply go up to a farmer's door and ask for permission to hunt. Those days are gone says outfitter Kevin Small of Rutledge, Missouri. "We are going to miss that as part of our hunting heritage, but those days are over" says Small.
Indeed the climate of hunting has changed dramatically in the past 15 years. And the landowners most of which are farmers have recognized leasing their land as a viable source of income.
As an individual, unless you are extremely wealthy or lucky, there is only so much land you can lease. This makes hunting different species on a particular piece of property difficult. A piece of property managed for waterfowl hunters will be quite different from a property managed for quail or deer. Therefore, a hunter has a difficult time having access to property that fits his needs and will have to settle for inferior properties to hunt.
Leasing has become more than just a handshake and a man's word. It's a business. One of the leaders in this business is Hunting Sports Plus who uses the power of buying in bulk made famous by Co-Ops and large department stores to pool resources to find the best hunting ground for its members.
Many hunt clubs cater only to deer hunting or upland bird hunting. However, Hunting Sports Plus leases properties that appeal to all hunters.
Imagine hunting on a 200 acre farm during the rut and having the entire farm to yourself. But, once waterfowl season heats up that farm has no water, no worry. A hunt club like Hunting Sports Plus (HSP) can help take the worry out of not having a place to hunt.
A careful look at a HSP harvest report shows plenty of ducks at another piece of property. A quick call to reserve the spot and you are ready to hunt waterfowl on a great piece of land managed for waterfowl.
Dreaming of a western hunt? Short of spending thousands of dollars on a guided hunt, hunting public ground was the only option - until now. Hunting Sports Plus has leases in many western states including Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois and other western states.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has announced results of the 2010 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, completed each spring, and numbers are similar to last year. The preliminary count of duck populations from the traditional survey areas estimates 40.9 million birds, similar to last year's estimate of 42 million birds, and is 21 percent above the long-term average.
Whitetail Deer Hunting Expert Daryl Traylor
Hunting looks for a large boost in its numbers from an unexpected group, but still faces challenges with lack of availability of accessible hunting land.
Hunting's approval ratings have not only held its own but slightly gained approval over the past decade. In 1995, 73 percent of those surveyed approved of hunting. Ten years later, the numbers slowly gained ground with an increase of five percentage points to 75 percent approval rating of hunting.
The research by Responsive Management, an internationally recognized public opinion and attitude survey research firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues, also shows that several key factors determine approval of hunting.
According to the report, "The closer a person's association with hunting, either through personal experience or from the experiences of family or friends, the stronger support a person has for hunting."
Studies also show that hunting is a family affair and the family that hunts together is more likely to continue hunting. More than 90 percent of 8-18 year olds that hunt came from a hunting family.
Hunters in the United States are predominantly rural, white males, and hunting has a strong connection to their relationships with their fathers or father figures. Research has shown an emotional tie more than a cognitive connection.
In a study by Research Management..."failure to grasp the importance of the emotional connection to hunting can almost certainly lead to a less-than-accurate understanding of hunting only as a recreational activity. Hunting, however much a recreational activity, can be fully comprehended only if it is understood as a complex cultural phenomenon closely linked to naturalistic values, hunters' identities, and the American family..."
Gender also has a strong correlation to hunting's approval. Men have a much higher approval rating of hunting at 84 percent while only 72 percent of women approve of hunting.
However, these numbers might come in slightly askew, next study. According to a report by the US Fish & Wildlife Service the fastest growing group of hunters is girls, 6- 15 year olds. Though women hunters have grown in number since 1991, currently near 10 percent, the steady increase experienced in the early 90s has slowed and leveled off, but this aspiring age class of young lady hunters are about to explode onto the scene.
On the down side of these encouraging numbers is the subject of hunter dissatisfaction with hunting today. At the top of the list of why hunters are dissatisfied with their hunting experiences is not limited to one geographical area but nationwide. The main reason of this dissatisfaction is the lack of enough access to hunting areas or lack of hunting areas.
Buying recreational property is becoming more popular as is leasing. Hunt clubs offer hunters the "buying power" of many members. Hunting Sports Plus (HSP) can help hunters and their families find accessible areas to hunt to keep their own tradition of hunting alive. HSP is a hunt club that leases land for hunting and fishing purposes. Currently the club leases 200,000 acres of land.
If you want to keep the hunting tradition alive in your family and are limited in places to go, give Hunting Sports Plus a call at 1-800-341-3444 for a no obligation look at the opportunities, nationwide.
August 10, 2010
Saw an interesting article about Boone & Crockett whitetail records by state for the years 2000-09. ILL was first w/ 539. IA was 3rd w/ 349. MO was 6th w/ 285 and KS was 7th w/ 257. The midwest area is the monster Whitetail capital of the world! We are so lucky to be living and hunting in the midwest. Of the four states listed above, Hunting Sports Plus has some outstanding deer properties in these states. The key to hunting these B&C deer is scouting and planning, not to mention a little luck. Nows the time to start the process, hopefully we'll see you listed in B&C in 2010!
August 9, 2010
HSP Members, Are you supporting this program?
Does your freezer still have venison in it from last season, mine does! Why not donate some of your harvest to the "Share the Harvest" program and help feed some hungry people. Want more details on the program, send us a note.
Hunters donated more than a quarter of a million pounds of venison to needy Missourians during the 2009-2010 hunting season, pushing the total for the program to more than 2 million pounds.
This year's final tally was more than 252,000 pounds. More than 5,000 hunters donated meat through more than 100 participating meat processors in approximately 74 counties.
Providing enough protein, especially meat, for needy Missourians is one of charitable organizations' biggest challenges. Share the Harvest allows hunters to donate whole deer at little or no cost, making a mountain of lean red meat available to community food banks, Salvation Army units and other charities.
As we enter the season, let's keep this program in mind and donate some of our excess harvest to those who really could use it.
Dove Season-Successful hunts start with a plan
Dove hunting can be an extremely frustrating or successful experience. It is a great start to get back to the outdoors and get ready for hunting season. There is nothing like opening morning and listening for those first few shots and seeing those first few birds come racing across the field. Although any time spent in the field is always a good time, I usually measure my experience by what I harvest or how much action I encounter. This is why a successful hunt always starts with a plan. In my first article of the hunting season, I gave you a few tips to get ready before dove season. Now I would like to share with you some of my own tactics and strategies to make this dove season your most productive yet.
Scouting Fields - Dove hunters across the country all have their favorite type of field or vegetation they believe is the best. Growing up in southeast MO, I always thought thrashed milo was the best followed by shelled corn, which was convenient because we always had some shelled corn by Sept. 1. However when I moved up to Kansas City, all I heard was sunflowers was the best. I don't necessarily disagree with that, except to say I believe you have to hunt what type of vegetation is near you. Dove will feed on what their migrating pattern provides for them. I have seen doves over several different kinds of fields, cut wheat, field grass, watermelons and even a wood pulp plant. Although agricultural fields are the best option, the main thing to remember is to scout them out in the evening and early morning to see where they are flying. What you want to see if it is a morning location, an evening location or both.
Here are some things I look at when deciding field location.
* Are there any high line wires? Doves love to light on high line wires after they feed and they use them as a flight path between roosting and feeding.
* Are there any trees surrounding the field? Are there any breaks in the tree line? Doves roost in the trees in the evening or during mid-day after the they feed. They also use that break in the trees to enter a field. Doves would rather fly through a break in the trees than fly over the trees when coming in to feed.
* What is the high point of the field or is there a ridge in the field? Doves tend to use the contours of the field when flying though the field.
* Is there a water source in or near the field? Doves need water and this makes a great place to hunt in the evening or mid-morning. However you do not need to find a big pond. Any standing water near a good feeding ground will work great.
Field Spot - So you have your field all scouted out. Now it's time to figure out what is the best spot in the field. Depending on whether you have a small or large group, you can put yourself in a good opportunity to have more shots. Taking into account breaks in the trees, which way the wind is blowing, high wires, contour of the field and location to others all will have an effect on your success. Regardless of where your location in the field is, hunt 180 degrees in front of you. You want to try and make sure the birds are kept in front of you when possible. Yes, I realize that birds will come from behind you and this is where help from others comes in handy. If everyone is spread out at least 50 yards everyone will see the birds coming and can alert everyone else.
Decoys and Calls - Up until about 5 years ago, the only time I used bird decoys was during duck season, however now I also use them for dove season. For years there has always been the use of dove decoys either pinned to a limb or fence. I never used these because I felt they provided no real value. However now I have adapted to using Mojo Doves. Yes the makers of the original Mojo Duck have created a dove decoy whose wings rotate just like their duck. This provides a great attractor just like when you duck hunt. The rotating wings attract the doves to your part of the field. I have seen doves purposely alter their flight just to come to the decoys. Here is how I setup with them:
First, I put them on a 10 foot, inch and half, pvc camo painted poles. The stake the mojo doves comes with is too short. So by putting the stake in the poles and put the poles in the ground that gets them high enough to see them from a longer distance. I then will cut the ground end of the pole at an angle so they can dig into the ground easier. Also, I cut the pole in half to make it easier to carry to the filed.
Second, I put them about 20 feet apart about 30 yards out from my stand.
I now take a ground blind to the field so I am not limited to hunting right up next to trees, corn or a fence line. This allows me to conceal myself and also allows me a good chance for those birds that approach me from the back. I like a blind that is 48 inches tall and maybe 10 fee long so I can wrap it 3/4 quarters around me.
As for calls I will use one to get birds to make a pass at my decoys but I really do not call that often.
Shooting - Finally, here a few helpful tips on helping you with your shooting.
Stay alert, pay attention, and just swivel your eyes back and forth across the horizon.
Remember, movement is what scares birds the most so make sure you move slowly and try to avoid sudden jerky movements either while shooting or waiting for the birds to fly over.
As for your shooting form, learn to raise your gun deliberately and shoot slow. You want to raise your gun at a pace that allows you to properly mount the gun on your shoulder, put your chin on the stock, lead your target and squeeze the trigger. Throwing up the gun and just shooting is what causes missed shots which leads to wasting shells. Your tempo can be worked on by getting to the range. Make sure you practice the way you hunt. If you are shooting sporting clays, start with the gun partially down and when you say "pull" - mount, chin on stock, lead and squeeze.
One tip I got from a shooting instructor was to never cover up the target with the gun or you will be shooting behind most of the time. I have found this to be very true.
In the next few weeks I will be going to the range myself and getting ready for dove season. I have had a few questions on Hunting Sports Plus (my hunting club). Its not late for a membership for the up coming hunting season. If you are interested in finding out more information please email me, I would be glad to talk to you about all of the hunting and financial advantages of HSP.
Good luck and if remember if you have any tips or questions please post or email them to me.
HSP Member-Tom
July 2010-Member Tom Writes:
Time To Get Ready For Dove Season
It's that time of the year when there is no football yet, most of the golf majors are over and there is just not much going on in sports. This is the perfect time of the year to start getting ready for dove season. Regardless of where you live, September 1 will be on us in a hurry. Every year when we hit the fields on opening morning we say (while we are missing birds, sweating and cussing ourselves) "$#%#%#@, next year I am going to get my gun and myself in better shape before season." Opening day does not have to be this way. Why not take a little time this year before opening day and get everything in shape? Besides, it will give you an excuse to go to Bass Pro or Cabelas, get into your hunting gear and do some shooting.
Regardless if you are going for the first time in years or you go every year, it is my sincere belief that if you take the time now to prepare you will have a much better opening day hunting experience. So, let's make a pledge to be ready for opening day. To help here is my 5 point plan to prepare for dove season.
1) Pull out your hunting clothes and make sure everything is ready to go. You want to make sure your shirt, pants, hat and boots still fit and are in good shape. I am a camouflage nut especially if it has something MU on it. If you are looking for that Mizzou camouflage hat to wear, try this one or this one. Comfort is important and if you are like me and you are getting tired of wearing that old cotton shirt or pants that do not breathe, here are a few ideas in hunting clothing that will breath:
Short sleeve breathable shirt
Pants
Non-insulated breathable boot
Shell belt pouch - I really like a shell belt pouch more because a vest is just too hot wear. Avery's shell belt is the best for comfort, use and style (yes I am biased to shop at Mack's Prairie Wings , however Bass Pro's shell belt is not bad either. Cabelas Dove Vest is still an option if you like a vest that will keep you cool.
Times have changed as far as early hunting season clothing. There is no need to wear all cotton head to toe and just sweat. Remember dove can see color so camo is important but it is not necessary to wear a long sleeve camo shirt and pants. Here is me and Frank Grispino in short sleeves and shorts.
2) Pull out your shotgun and give it a good cleaning. You want to make sure it's in good working condition. Another thing I do is get out my chokes and make sure I have my IC (improved cylinder) and LM (light modified). The LM is for that range between IC and Modified. I like to shoot LM for the first few weeks of the season, it's the perfect range. One of the things I have been shooting with is my extended chokes by Carlson. Take a look at the sporting clays and ported sporting clays chokes. Both have a better pattern than normal flush chokes. I take both to the field with me just in case the birds are a little weary.
3) After getting your gun and chokes in order, head to the local gun range to shoot some sporting clays, trap or skeet, this will help you get your shooting eye and swing in shape. I like to start shooting trap for my first few trips to the range and then the last few I switch to sporting clays. It doesn't matter which discipline you choose, what is important is that you practice, practice and practice. Also, shells and chokes play a big role. You want to pattern your gun with your choke and the right shell. I hate shooting those cheap dove loads because they do not pattern as well and they tend to jam. I love to shoot Bass Pro Winchester Heavy Dove Loads because they have 3 ΒΌ dram of powder and are 1250 fps which is just like shooting a sporting clays shell. . These shells are a bit more expensive at $6.99 a box, but with this shell you will hit more birds. Some people will shoot Winchester AA loads, but since I do not reload I don't care to spend the extra money. As for shot size, either 8 or 7 1/2 is fine.
4) While you are getting your gear out make sure nothing is worn out and make sure you have everything to take to the field. One of the things I now take with me is a good comfortable chair. The chair I have has a pouch in the bottom to carry everything I need however, it is not sold anymore. One option is LL Bean's camp chair, comfortable and has a drink holder.
Also, make sure you have a small hunting bag with the following:
Bug spray
Multi tool (I like this one for the price)
Spare rag
Small game knife (I like my Browning, this one is on eBay)
Game shears (for easy cleaning, cuts the wings right off)
Ear protection and shooting glasses (practice with them so hunt with them)
Water bottle (for you and your dog)
5) Finally, scout out a place early either public or private land. Early season scouting can pay off big time. I do not like public hunting because some of these people on public land are sometimes reckless and dangerous, so be cautious. One option might be a lease or getting permission to hunt someone's land. I belong to Hunting Sports Plus in Kansas City, MO. They have leased land available all over MO, KS, NE and IA for a variety of hunting. It's a great way to have access to land at a reasonable cost. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a member and it is a great option for those who do not own their own land and like to hunt everything from dove, duck, deer, quail, and pheasant.
Here are a couple of pictures from their website from some successful dove hunts.
Well there you have it, your 5 point plan for getting ready for dove season. In the next few weeks I will be sharing with you my thoughts on some of my early and late season dove hunting setups and tactics. If you are interested in finding out more about Hunting Sports Plus, please feel free to email at kctigertom@everestkc.net
Good luck and see you in the field...
Tom
Hunting Sports Plus on Facebook!
We are pleased to announce our new presence on Facebook! On our new Facebook page we will post new member photos, stories, articles, updates, and more! Become a fan of the Hunting Sports Plus page and take part in group discussions and make comments on stories and photos.
Our Facebook page will have hunters from all over the world, it could be a great opportunity to find a hunting partner in your area! Become a fan and meet like minded people on the web! Just CLICK HERE to visit us on Facebook!
