Earlier Dove Season

Account Deleted · Aug 10, 2017

Putting up fence leads to a lot of time to sort out the worlds problems like "why doesn't the dove season open earlier?" If I remember right, for a lot of ND, the average first frost is before September 15 and most of the doves head south that day or right before. That ends up with a pretty short season of it starts on September 1. Would it hurt to open it on like August 15? I'd happily sacrifice two weeks on the backend to have actual huntable days/numbers on the front end. Am I way off base here?

Fly Carpin · Aug 10, 2017

Not off base at all. Season dates are regulated by the Feds, as doves are a migratory species. Doves open Sept 1 from ND all the way down to Texas. I'd like to say its for streamlining regulations, but I don't know for sure why Sept. 1 is the magic date. They stagger waterfowl openers within the same flyway, seems they could do it for doves as well

KJND · Aug 10, 2017

I'd be all for this... Tasty lil buggars!

Account Deleted · Aug 10, 2017

Ok. So if they are like waterfowl, the Feds tell the state you get X amount of days, allocate the accordingly taking into account biology, hunters' interests, etc. But if they all start Sept 1, than the guys in Texas have a gripe too because they lose hubtable days on the front end. Or are doves that spread out over the flyway?

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Other problem solved today. The product called "new skin" should come in industrial sizes.

Fly Carpin · Aug 10, 2017

Ghost said:
Ok. So if they are like waterfowl, the Feds tell the state you get X amount of days, allocate the accordingly taking into account biology, hunters' interests, etc. But if they all start Sept 1, than the guys in Texas have a gripe too because they lose hubtable days on the front end. Or are doves that spread out over the flyway?

- - - Updated - - -

Other problem solved today. The product called "new skin" should come in industrial sizes.

Solving problems like a boss today! Doves are very widespread, and occur at way higher densities down south. And besides the mourning, they also have white-tipped and white-winged doves to hunt. Though considered a migratory species, the birds that nest in Texas likely winter there as well. I wonder how much of the Sept. 1 opener has to do with tradition, as dove hunting in the Southern states is a huge family event for lots of hunters

Walleye_Chaser · Aug 10, 2017

KJND said:
I'd be all for this... Tasty lil buggars!

They sure are!

Captain Ahab · Aug 10, 2017

I'd take it even one week earlier. A guy doesn't have much time to get after them up in the north country.

espringers · Aug 10, 2017

especially considering all of the other seasons encroach on that season so quickly. evenings and afternoons of an earlier dove season would compliment that early goose season very nicely. sharpies get in the way of me pursuing doves like i wish i could.

Sluggo · Aug 10, 2017

The dove season dates are set by the Feds. ND can submit recommendations but in the end, it is up to the Feds.

Do you think that maybe the farming/ranching community would be against the season starting sooner for some reason?

guywhofishes · Aug 10, 2017

Sluggo said:
Do you think that maybe the farming/ranching community would be against the season starting sooner for some reason?

And, wait for it....

KDM · Aug 10, 2017

Had dove hunters rain me with pellets for one whole evening while I was in my deer stand. They were shooting over the water hole the deer were using and the doves were coming from the field I was on and going to water. Needless to say I had quite the show watching the doves fall before hearing the shots, but surprisingly, I didn't see any deer that night. Interestingly enough, I shot my velvet buck last year from the same stand 2 days later so they didn't bugger the deer very much.

Account Deleted · Aug 10, 2017

All good stuff today guys. I'm gonna make some emails/phone calls and get back to you.

martinslanding · Aug 10, 2017

KDM said:
Had dove hunters rain me with pellets for one whole evening while I was in my deer stand. They were shooting over the water hole the deer were using and the doves were coming from the field I was on and going to water. Needless to say I had quite the show watching the doves fall before hearing the shots, but surprisingly, I didn't see any deer that night. Interestingly enough, I shot my velvet buck last year from the same stand 2 days later so they didn't bugger the deer very much.

Shotguns don't phase ND deer...

guywhofishes · Aug 10, 2017

martinslanding said:
Shotguns don't phase ND deer...

What the hell are you talking about?

Ericb · Aug 10, 2017

AZ has a early season something like 2wks in Sept. And then a late season which is mid Nov threw the end of the year. Not sure the reasoning but it shows a state may have some input. Granted doves are almost a nusance down there.

Big Iron · Aug 10, 2017

AZ dove hunting is out of this world. Also- white wings (the bigger, better looking sibling to mourning doves) are quite fun to shoot and delicious as well.

riverview · Aug 10, 2017

I went on a dove hunt in Texas a few years ago and I couldn't believe what a big deal dove hunting in Texas. But I will say there dove breasts wrapped around a cream cheese filled jalapeno when wrapped in bacon and cooked over a mesquite fire were some of the best I have ever had.

LBrandt · Aug 10, 2017

I always thought they didn't have it early because of the late nesting of some of the birds. ???????

Bows 'n poles · Aug 10, 2017

It's because of the migratory bird treaty act, which states no hunting season for migratory birds can open prior to September 1st. We get away with geese in August because that portion is considered a 'management take' season due to them being way above population objectives, then Sept 1 it's officially a hunting season.

NodakBuckeye · Aug 11, 2017

Seems like they have had good reproduction around here, at least in town. Need to find a field and let the kiddos get some shooting in.

Earlier Dove Season

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