Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to join a couple of my first cousins on a dove hunt on land that is owned by another cousin and that we’ve been hunting most all of our lives.
Most of those who dove hunt regularly know this, but for first timers and others who may not be aware, it’s open until Oct. 31.
The season opens again Dec. 1 and continues through Dec. 29 statewide.
The daily bag limit on dove is 15. That may consist of any combination (aggregate) of mourning, white-winged and fully dressed Eurasian collared doves (those without a head or fully feathered wing naturally attached to the carcass).
Wildlife officials explain that there is no bag limit on Eurasian collared doves as long as the head or one fully feathered wing remains naturally attached to the carcass of all such birds while being transported to their final destination.
Allowed shooting time is 30 minutes before official sunrise to official sunset.
Due to my schedule, I wasn’t able to hunt the season opener with cousins Danny Snare and Dave McCormick.
So, it was a little later before I could get out with them.
They hunted opening day and bagged one bird between them.
I like to remember back when I was a high schooler, when I was in college and even since then how I use to hunt with my dad and cousins north of Calumet on my cousin’s property.
Last year, I had the opportunity to hunt with Dan who resides in the Oklahoma City metro area. That was the first time in several years.
A few weeks ago one hot afternoon and early evening we tried our luck at harvesting some doves.
We had decided even if there aren’t a lot of birds, we were still going to get together for a hunt. It had been such a long time since we’ve all gathered we just needed to do it.
Last year Dan and I hunted opening afternoon and evening and cut it short because there weren’t any doves around. Between us we had one shot. That was the only bird that came within range and it kept flying.
We might have seen a half dozen doves that day. Dan and I agreed it was the worst dove hunt we’d ever been on while hunting my cousin’s land.
This time it was even worse as far as the actual dove hunting went. We were there for about 3½ hours and the three of us didn’t fire a shot. We saw some birds in the distance, but none came close to within range.
We spent our time primarily in the shade just visiting and reminiscing about old times.
Despite no birds, the camaraderie was worth it.