Iowa hunters break new ground September 1, with the opening day of mourning dove season. Pursuing the most plentiful game bird in North America, Iowa joins 40 other states this year, with its 70 day season and abundant doves migrating through.
And while plenty of hunters will be concealed in field edges or adjacent crop rows, newcomers will find it a learning experience as the quick, acrobatic game bird gives them a scant second or two to lock in and shoot.
“For a successful dove hunt, follow their flight lines,” recommends Randy Cook, a veteran dove hunter. “Doves have certain areas they pass through. It’s very similar to…waterfowl hunting; where you ‘pass shoot,’ with birds flying from Point A to Point B. Mourning doves, typically, will move that way.”
Cook has hunted doves across country and looks forward to traveling a few minutes, instead of a few hours to pursue doves. The Iowa Legislature approved the mourning dove as a game bird this past session. The state’s Natural Resource Commission followed with establishment of the season, bag limits and the inclusion of similar-looking Eurasian collared doves as legal game. Rules requiring non-toxic shot were approvedóthen delayedóbut the season opens a half hour before dawn, September 1.
Though mourning doves are highly visible year round; first year hunting could be a challenge. Preferred feeding areas are bare ground, with abundant, loose seed. Sunflower plantings; also winter wheat and millet are prime dove food sources. However, with late approval of the legislation, there was not much time to get much of that planted. Hunters will need to scout around to find the best places.
“The best thing a hunter can do is call their local DNR manager and ask what they’ve done on their wildlife areas,” suggests Mark McInroy, DNR upland game research technician. “They are not going to be right next to a road, or a parking lot. You might have to walk in a quarter mile, but all you will be carrying is your gun and a five-gallon bucket.”
Every DNR wildlife management district planted dove ‘food plots’ on their public land. In the countdown to the season, they worked to get those standing crops down, to provide the bare terrain…and scattered seed…doves prefer. Some private food plots were planted, too.
Even without a dedicated plot, hunters should look for any area that offers concealment for them and small grains or weed seed, water or grit for the mourning doves.
And once the shooting starts…keep it close.
“If you are just starting, stay with a fairly open choke; improved cylinder, and keep your shots at 20 to 25 yards,” urges Cook. “You can practice all you want with clay targets, but gravity eventually slows them down. Doves will still accelerate while in flight. It’s a challenge.”
It’s also a great family event. Young and old hunters alike can take part. Extensive walking, stalking or flushing your quarry is not needed. The basics focus on getting in place, and observing for the fast moving quarry to zip by.
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Dove Hunting 101: What to Know Before You Go
Iowa’s first new hunting season since turkey season was added in the 1970s, dove season is expected to attract about 20,000 resident hunters when it opens Sept. 1.
Hunters may use lead shot unless they are hunting on a Wildlife Management Area that requires nontoxic shot to hunt all species except deer or turkey, listed on p. 16 of the 2011-12 Iowa Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Hunting regulations can be found online.
Since mourning doves are listed as a migratory game bird, hunters must register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP) before hunting. Dove hunters can register with HIP when they buy their small game hunting license or by calling 1-855-242-3683 or by going to https://jc.activeoutdoorsolutions.com/ia_customer/app/goHome.do to register.
The Iowa DNR has a webpage with resources and laws covering dove hunting at:
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting/MigratoryGameBirds/MourningDoves.aspx
Dove Hunting
Season: Sept. 1 ñ Nov. 9
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
License requirements: Small game license and habitat fee. The federal and state migratory game bird fee is not required to hunt doves in Iowa.
Federal Migratory Game Law Requirements: Hunters must register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP) before hunting doves. Shotguns must be plugged to hold no more than three shells; hunters cannot use live birds as decoys, or recorded or electronically amplified bird calls, imitations or sounds. There is no hunting over baited fields.
Bag Limits: Daily limit of 15 and possession limit of 30
Where to hunt: Mourning doves prefer feeding on open ground and eat a variety of seeds and grains. Look for doves near low-standing or harvested crops mixed with bare soil areas or along field edges; near pastures, recently mowed native grasses or hayfields, sunflower fields or newly seeded CRP lands with areas of bare or open ground and near watering holes with bare shorelines.
Many DNR wildlife management areas have established plantings that will attract doves. A list is available at www.iowadnr.gov under the “Hunting” tab.
Gun Choice: Any gauge or type of shotgun will work well, but 20 and 12 gauges are most popular. An open to moderate choke will increase a shooter’s chance of success. Shots are typically 35 yards or less.
Ammo Choice: The preferred loads are #7-1/2 or #8 in lead shot or #7 or #6 in nontoxic shot. There are a number of wildlife management areas that require nontoxic shot for hunting all species except deer and turkey. Those areas are listed on p. 16 in the 2011-12 Iowa Hunting and Trapping Regulations.
Hunting Tips: Doves are more active in mornings and evenings and this is often the best time to hunt. Set up along a fencerow or other cover near food sources or water, wear camouflage and bring a bucket to sit on and to carry gear and doves.|
