With a cruising speed of 45 mph and possessing as much elusiveness as a bat, doves are among North America’s most challenging targets for hunters. On average, it takes seven shots to make one successful hit, which explains why the usually warm-weather, wing-shooting sport is a shell-maker’s dream.
And because the small birds are so plentiful, flurries of multiple chances account for much of the fun. It’s like shooting rapid-fire clay targets, only honing your skills with a 12-gauge, 16-gauge or 20-gauge shotgun is so much more enjoyable when a tasty dinner is at stake.
“It’s an underappreciated sport for people that don’t participate,” said Mark Ryan, a dove hunter from Highlands Ranch. “It’s great to be outdoors and a great parent-child activity and bonding experience.”
Dove season began Sept. 1 in Colorado and continues through Nov. 9. Approximately 14,000 outdoorsmen hunt doves in the state, and the Colorado Division of Wildlife offers more than 175,000 acres of public land and walk-in access (leased from landowners) for doves and other small game and waterfowl.
Those same areas will host the more serious and sophisticated waterfowl (duck and goose) and pheasant hunters later this year. If nothing else, hunting doves helps shooters hone their skills for the upcoming shotgun-based seasons. But just as important, it’s an ideal way to introduce new wing-shooters.
“Dove hunting is a great opportunity to introduce new people to the sport of bird hunting,” said Allen Vitt, a terrestrial (land-based) biologist for the DOW. “It’s during the warmer part of year, you can do it just in the afternoon, and there is a lot of shooting involved if you’re where the doves are. You’ve got three really attractive characteristics to introduce people to the sport.”
Colorado is home to three types of doves: mourning, white-winged and Eurasian collared. The mourning and white-winged are migratory birds that typically fly south to warmer climates during the first cold spell.
Hunting has been good in the state so far this year, but to come close to the daily individual bag limit of 15 — mourning dove or white-winged; Eurasian collared is unlimited — complete your hunt by the middle of October.
Ryan and his son, Damon, 15, have hunted in Colorado and Kansas this year. They have had better success farther east, recently bagging 75 doves per day on a two-day, five-person hunt in Kansas.
“We’ve hunted a couple of wildlife areas in Colorado and haven’t had as much success, but that’s just pressure — hunting pressure,” Ryan said. “We still enjoy it.”
A small-game license is required to hunt doves, and all hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1949, must complete a hunter education course to obtain a license.
The most important safety element with dove hunting is keeping the barrel of the gun above the head at all times, especially while preparing to shoot. Typically, dove hunters shoot beside each other or hunt in different areas.
“The most important thing to do is make sure you take overhead shots, rather than across the field,” Vitt said. “When you’re shooting, the gun barrel is higher than the people would be.”
Said Ryan: “I like it as an introductory hunt because, relative to a lot of sports, you’re sitting and focused.”
Mike Chambers: 303-954-1357 or mchambers@denverpost.com
Tips for dove hunters
•Think like a pilot. Doves have flying patterns and use landmarks as navigation. Find their patterns and you will have success.
•Let the beginner shoot. Experienced shooters should have two hands free and walk behind or beside the beginner, teaching before adding another gun to the hunt.
•Mark the spot. Shooting doubles in one sequence is not uncommon, but finding both can be difficult. When you down the first dove, look where it landed before you shoot for the second.
•Decoys help. Doves, like other birds, are attracted to more doves. Planting decoys along fence lines or dead trees aid in the hunt.
•Hunt with a small group, two to four shooters. Dove hunters usually spread out, and even though guns should always be pointed to the sky, there is a chance of being peppered by shotgun BBs from your party.
•Blend in with the surroundings. Doves have sharp eyes and can easily spot a moving hunter. Wear camouflage and be still when doves approach.
•Plan accordingly. Bagging 10 doves might require as many as 100 shotgun shells. Plan on a lot of shooting by bringing a lot of shells.
For more information: Colorado Division of Wildlife, 303-297-1192 or
Mike Chambers, The Denver Post
